courtesy: Lakers
Bill Macdonald’s been a sportscasting mainstay in Southern California since the Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket Network signed on in 1985.
Ex-Bruin Macdonald living the dream as Lakers’ TV voice.
courtesy: Lakers
courtesy: Lakers
Mora’s impact evident in first 2 months on the job.
photo: Eric Geller
It’s been a two-month whirlwind for new Bruins head football coach Jim Mora Jr. Since being hired December 10th to replace Rick Neuheisel, Mora’s named his coaching staff and turned in one of the best recruiting classes in the country.
Ex-Rams Vermeil & Bruce “serenaded” by Bring Back the Los Angeles Rams.
Stadium issues for the Rams in St. Louis which could render their lease at the Edward Jones Dome null and void by 2014 which could return the franchise back to Los Angeles where it called home for 49 years prior to moving to the midwest in 1995.
Owner Stan Kroenke committing one regular season Rams home game each of the next three seasons away from the Gateway City and heading across the pond to Wembley Stadium in London beginning next season.
All that’s sweet music for some 4,000 members of the Facebook group, Bring Back the Los Angeles Rams, who want their team home.
They made their presence felt at Saturday’s inaugural AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
Amongst a cozy crowd of some 1500 football fans, about 75 to 100 Bring Back the Los Angeles Rams members sat in a section directly behind the National conference bench who were led by ex-St. Louis Rams head coach Dick Vermeil.
Vermeil led the Gateway City version of the Rams to a Super Bowl title after the 1999 season with the help of wide out Isaac Bruce who was on his National conference coaching staff for the game.
Listening to non-stop chants of “L.A. Rams…L.A. Rams!” and “Bring them back!…..Bring them back!” throughout the contest, both Vermeil and Bruce, who both got their NFL roots with the Los Angeles Rams, couldn’t ignore them.
After the game, hearing their chants of “Bruuuuuuuce”, he went over to their section to greet the fans and sign some autographs.
“I played my rookie year with the Los Angeles Rams and played my junior college ball at Santa Monica College.” said Bruce. “I wouldn’t change anything in my career but I sure did miss playing in L.A. during winter when it’s 70 degrees outside.”
Bruce even asked me who the last Los Angeles Ram was to catch a touchdown pass. It happened on Christmas Eve 1994 at Anaheim Stadium. I couldn’t answer it.
“Jermaine Ross.” Bruce said. I replied with, “Chris Miller probably tossed it.” Bruce said, “I think he was hurt. So it must’ve been Chris Chandler.”
We weren’t sure. I checked and guessed right. It was Miller.
As for the NFL returning to L.A., Bruce believes it’s inevitable.
“Surprising it’s been 17 years. This is a great place to play. These fans deserve a team. They’ll have a team here as soon as a new stadium’s built.”
When asked about a possible return by the Rams, it’s all speculation to him.
“I wouldn’t know. That’s business. We have loyal fans in St. Louis. Was a lot of fun playing there especially during the ‘Greatest Show On Turf‘ years.”
Vermeil’s National Conference squad got the best of Tom Flores’ American Conference squad, 20-14.
After the game I asked the coach about those loud L.A. Rams fans in the stands.
Soon, a brand new state-of-the-art stadium will be built in the City of Angels and at that time, we’ll all know if the Rams were brought back to it.
UCLA gridders fight Illini in Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
UCLA rolls an unlucky 13 losing at Stanford, 60-59.
courtesy: Paul Sakuma / AP
The unluckiest of numbers Thursday night for UCLA was the number 13. The Bruins had 13 chances to overtake Stanford and steal the PAC-12 opener for both schools in Palo Alto. UCLA couldn’t convert any of those 13 chances losing to the Cardinal, 60-59.
Lady Bruin Volleyballers beat Illinois for 4th NCAA Championship
courtesy: USPW
The Bruins will always “Remember The Alamo” because UCLA athletics is all about winning national championships.
UCLA did it again this past weekend taking the Bruins major college record 108th National Championship with the 9th seeded Women’s Volleyball Teams four set win over number three seed, Illinois.
Jim L. Mora introduced as new Bruins football coach
courtesy: UCLA
Confident his third gridiron coaching hire’s the charm, on Tuesday, UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero introduced Jim L.Mora. as the Bruins 17th head football coach.
“I’d like to welcome Jim and his family to the UCLA Bruins family.” Guerrero said.
Bruins’ Howland permanently dismisses Jr. forward Nelson
courtesy: AP
Enough was enough for UCLA Bruins men’s basketball coach Ben Howland.
Friday, Howland dismissed enigmatic junior forward Reeves Nelson from the team because of numerous conduct issues, effectively ending his career as a Bruins cager.
Jim Mora Jr. named new Bruins head football coach
courtesy: AP
It took 12 days and having to watch candidates fall by the wayside. But, the UCLA Bruins finally have their man.
Athletic director Dan Guerrero nabbed former NFL head coach Jim Mora Jr. Saturday to replace Rick Neuheisel as the head whistle blower of the UCLA football team.
Like the Jets, I Was “Tebowed”. But I’m On the Comeback.
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
My goodness, I got spanked last week.
LAST WEEK: 5-11 SEASON TOTAL: 77-56
SUNDAY
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-6) -1 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-6) 35.5 pts
-These two teams…….well. Jacksonville has Maurice Jones-Drew. JAGUARS (Browns, 14-10)
CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-7) +7 @ DETROIT LIONS (6-3) 47.5 pts
-This Cat Fight is one-sided although I’m anxious to see what Cam Newton will do. LIONS (Lions, 49-35)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-5) +14.5 @ GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-0) 49 pts
-Honestly, Packers NEED to keep winning because the 49ers are SERIOUS. PACKERS (Packers, 35-26)
BUFFALO BILLS (5-4) +2 @ MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-7) 43 pts
-Buffalo’s looked terrible since QB Ryan Fitzpatrick got that hefty, new contract. Dolphins have been in every game they’ve played and have won two straight. The Bills have too much offense. BILLS (Dolphins, 35-8)
OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-4) -1.5 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-7) 45 pts
-This is a tough one because I seriously think the Vikings are much better than their record. New Raiders QB Carson Palmer looked pretty good against the Chargers last week. It’ll be close. RAIDERS (Raiders, 27-21)
DALLAS COWBOYS (5-4) -7.5 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-6) 41.5 pts
-I still believe Tony Romo’s the most over-rated, over-hyped player in league history. If he’s going to do something, it’s got to be now because the Cowboys are right in the thick of the NFC East race. Washington’s got many issues. COWBOYS (Cowboys, 27-24 ot)
CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-3) +7 @ BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-3) 40.5 pts
-How is it the Ravens lost to the Seahawks last week! Do they want to give the division to the Steelers!? LB Ray Lewis is out of this one due to injury. I like the Bengals. BENGALS (Ravens, 31-24)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-6) +2 @ ST. LOUIS RAMS (2-7) 39 pts
-How is it the Seahawks beat the Ravens last week! They’re not that good. Rams aren’t that good either. The Rams do have QB Sam Bradford and RB Steven Jackson. RAMS (Seahawks, 24-7)
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-6) +9.5 @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (8-1) 41.5 pts
-Cardinals are a year away. The time is now for the 49ers. 49ERS (49ers, 23-7)
TENNESSEE TITANS (5-4) +6 @ ATLANTA FALCONS (5-4) 44 pts
-You’ve got to give it to Falcons coach Mike Smith for going for it on 4th down stuck in his own territory against the Saints. Not a good idea but if they had gotten the first down, he would’ve been a genius. FALCONS (Falcons, 23-17)
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-5) +3.5 @ CHICAGO BEARS (6-3) 45 pts
-The Bears have played very well the last month. This is about the time in the season the Chargers break out and win. Jay Cutler vs. Phillip Rivers has got to be entertaining. CHARGERS (Bears, 31-20)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-6) +4 @ NY GIANTS of NEW JERSEY (6-3) 47 pts
-The “Night-mare Team” can’t afford to lose another game if they expect to make the playoffs. Giants lost a close one in San Francisco last week but are playing well. GIANTS
MONDAY
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-5) +15 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-3) 48 pts
-Tyler Palco’s QBing the Chiefs. Some guy named Tom Brady QB’s the Patriots. Yeah, the Pats defense gives up plenty of yardage. But the Chiefs have to go score-to-score with them. PATRIOTS
THURSDAY
NY JETS of NEW JERSEY (5-4) -5 @ DENVER BRONCOS (4-5) O/U 40.5 pts
-I got Tebowed! JETS (Broncos, 17-13)
BYE WEEK: HOUSTON, INDIANAPOLIS, **LOS ANGELES (16 seasons, 11 weeks), NEW ORLEANS, PITTSBURGH
**BONUS PICK – No NFL in L.A. at the moment. We do have two MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER teams in L.A. (Chivas USA & the L.A. Galaxy)
MLS CUP- Sunday @ Home Depot Center
HOUSTON DYNAMO (12 wins, 13 draws, 9 losses – 49 pts) vs. LOS ANGELES GALAXY (19 wins, 10 draws, 5 losses – 67 pts)
-Both teams looking for their third MLS Cup Championship. Galaxy haven’t lost at the HOME DEPOT CENTER all season and guess where the championship game is! Could be David Beckham’s final game as a member of the Galaxy. Along with Beck’s the Galaxy have Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. They’re too good. GALAXY
On Any Given Sports Day 