Polak the Right Man for Right Job

The concerns over finding a new right tackle, merely the successor to All-American Chad Overhauser and responsible for helping to protect quarterback Cade McNown’s blind side, have been replaced by the excitement over the presence of a new Brian Polak.

About eight months after coming close to giving up football because he wasn’t sure he had the desire anymore--”Like real close,” Coach Bob Toledo said--Polak has emerged as the most pleasant surprise for UCLA since the end of last season. He improved his conditioning and attitude during spring practice in April and opened as No. 1 on the depth chart, erasing the image of a disappointing freshman season.

“I’m in three times better shape,” Polak said Saturday after the Bruins opened practice. “My game is a lot better. My speed. My stamina. Basically, everything went through the roof.”

Including his stock.

The biggest area of improvement?

“His work ethic,” Toledo said. “He was a big, heavy kid as a freshman, didn’t know how to work, struggled. All of a sudden, he’s in shape and ready to make a contribution.”

Said offensive line coach Mark Weber: “He has done everything he could do to put himself in position to have a great season.”

Even a solid season from Polak would be another boost to the line already considered among the best in the Pacific 10 Conference, thanks to the presence of left tackle Kris Farris, center Shawn Stuart and right guard Andy Meyers.