Bruins D Must Go On After Patrick Larimore “Medically” Retires
I guess this would be the time for UCLA fans to dust off their old CD collection in the hope of finding the Titanic Soundtrack buried beneath Creed and Chumbawamba albums. Well, you might have to borrow from your girlfriend or wife if you happen to be like me. I’m not a fan of the Celine Dion hit from 1997, and I’m guessing you aren’t either. However, the tearjerker that made every teenage girl cry over a decade ago would be most appropriate right now for Bruins fans.
Just yesterday stud UCLA linebacker Patrick Larimore announced he was “medically” retiring from the game of football. The Los Angeles Daily News broke the story after the senior suffered his second concussion the span of six months. The effects of the latest concussion proved to be worse than initially thought, prompting the untimely retirement.
During fall camp no news is good news and the Bruins, unfortunately, are in the news all too often. Last week offensive lineman Chris Ward was forced to retire from the game after repeated injuries. Ward would likely have been a backup guard.
Head coach Jim Mora put his foot in his mouth last week, after insinuating rival USC had murders a block off campus, while UCLA was much safer. The incident was embarrassing for the rookie head coach but nothing a winning season couldn’t repair.
Now it gets real. Larimore was the heart and soul of the Bruins defensive unit in 2011. Named the team’s defensive MVP, Larimore led the team in tackles (81) and assisted tackles (31). In other words, he was everywhere all the time. A tenacious defender that was always in the play aptly describes the Santa Clarita product.
Eric Kendricks is more than capable of carrying the torch after finishing second in tackles as a freshman in 2011. For a defense that finished 92nd in the FBS last year, a loss of any starter is troubling let alone the most productive.
Celine said her heart would go on after losing the love of her life. The Bruins defense just lost its heart so someone better step up quick. Mora is getting more early tests than he anticipated in his first year with UCLA. The good news is that the Bruins control their destiny and still have the entire Fall practice to regroup.
When the Titanic hit an iceberg on a cold night a century ago, its fate was sealed. A bowl game is still possible but it will be much more challenging than initially anticipated.
This Bruins’ ship does not have to sink. The loss of Larimore for 2012 is sad, but the defense must go on.
