Autzen Audibles

For whatever you deem it to be worth: http://www.bruingold.com/forums/index.php?az=show_mesg&forum=101&topic_id=42313&mesg_id=42313

I've mentioned it before on these boards that my brother is a Bruin and holds the linked board at the level that we hold 247...

Obviously nothing official so probably best to take it w/ a grain of salt, but the "Hoo" guy knew about McCarthy to UCLA several months before it happened.

I know we as Duck fans have a sensitivity to supposedly "all-in" recruits who get swung, but I'm almost wondering if Castro getting swung to UCLA wouldn't be a blessing in disguise. Hear me out...

If you assume that JC will be playing Dion Jordan's rush LB/DE hybrid position - drop end (as has been reported), then we're also bringing in Buckner, Daniels and Carriger at the same position, all three of whom played a more similar position in high school than Castro did, suggesting perhaps that he may have the greatest adjustment of the four. Additionally, you have to wonder if all four REALLY would have even been considered for that spot? With Pharoah Brown's commitment, it's unlikely that Carriger or Daniels would also move to TE and moving one to Terrell Turner's DE position (or even moreso, DT) would requre an even longer adjustment/weight-gain process and would STILL be competing more w/ Balducci, Bair, etc. which would limit our return on any of these four...

If you assume (as has been theorized by some) that Castro would eventually go to Turner's DE position, I pose this question - if he were to leave, wouldn't it seem MUCH more likely that Chip would ramp up his recruitment of Armstead (whom I view as at LEAST as talented at DE as Castro) to take that spot which could really improve our already good chances at Shaq...

Make no mistake, I'm very happy w/ Castro and think he'll be a player for us, but I see the math problem of Armstead + Thompson > Castro + Harper. If Castro swinging to the Bruins is the impetus that sets this equation in motion, I won't lose any sleep over it!

Did you even read my post?

Nowhere did I question his talent or suggest that "we don't want him".

IF he flips to UCLA - and for those of you who have been on that campus, it's not hard to envision that happening - the logical next step, given all of the recent news would be a fullcourt press on Armstead - who's no slouch. This, again, would improve our chances with one of the best safety prospects in the last decade...

I see that as a win, ESPECIALLY given the positional redundancy that Castro finds himself in...

I guess I'm not as psyched about Castro as you are.

As far as I'm concerned Shaq alone would be worth losing Castro. Add to that another Defensive lineman w/ a great frame (who could also contribute to the basketball team).

Even if you somehow consider Castro an A+ and both Shaq and Armstead as B+s, I'll take 2 B+s from talent hotbeds, with FAR more pub and at positions of greater opportunity for return over an A+ at a position where we have 3 other talents coming in as well...

Were on that link did you see he flipped to UCLA? All I saw was that UCLA had a good weekend, and he wasn't the only visitor.

Perfectly fine by me. Best case scenario actually.

All I was saying is that I would assume that losing Castro could increase Kelly's apparenty "meh" desire for Armstead, which I would also assume would improve our standing w/ Shaq.

But yes, I think we're all in agreement that all would be even better.