Webb Is Back, but on Opposite Side of Ball

He’s getting the strength back over time, the mobility too. But he’s not getting the same position.

Micah Webb, the starting nose guard in 1998 before a knee injury prevented him from playing in the Rose Bowl, has become part of the renovated offensive line in ‘99, the better to protect his surgically repaired joint and the Bruin quarterback. Both can use the help.

Webb will help himself, because offensive tackles don’t get chopped at the legs as much as nose guards. He will help the team, because the Bruins were ready to try desperate measures anyway after their three best offensive linemen last year (Kris Farris, Shawn Stuart and Andy Meyers) left for the pros, one expected returnee (David Wilford) was dismissed from school for academic reasons and another (Scott Wiegand) quit the team.

It has left Webb in the ultimate transition: coming back from a major injury, suffered in the Dec. 5 loss at Miami, and going to a new huddle. At least he has had time to prepare for the move--twin bother Josh made the same switch a year ago in the middle of fall practice.

“I’m doing better than I thought I would,” said Micah, a junior who also played tackle in high school. “But I’m not in position to be a top-notch Pac-10 tackle yet. That’s what I’m working toward.

“I talk to some guys in the locker room and they’d say, ‘Why’d you let them do that [make the move to offense]?’ But Coach [Bob] Toledo, he made some good points why I should do it. He said it would help out the team and help me out at the same time.”

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Toledo already has said he will use four true freshmen, because of their impressive play and because of need: linebackers Marcus Reese from San Jose and Asi Faoa from Magnolia High in Anaheim, defensive back Ricky Manning Jr. from Fresno and tight end Mike Seidman from Westlake High.

Others are a possibility, especially on the depleted offensive line. The Bruins are hoping they won’t be needed, though, instead allowing players to redshirt rather than burn an entire season because of a lack of depth the first two games.

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UCLA and Utah will begin a two-game series at the Rose Bowl in 2006. The Bruins will play in Salt Lake City the following year.