Cal kicker is keeping his job

Cal notebook
BERKELEY -- At the beginning of Cal's summer training camp, the only posts that place-kicker Tom Schneider was seeing were bed posts.
Going into his sophomore season, it appeared that Schneider, a Las Lomas High School graduate, would need a big camp to show coach Jeff Tedford that he was a new, improved version of the guy who hit only nine of 16 field goals as a freshman.
With senior punter David Lonie coming into camp with a more compact and accurate field goal stroke, a battle for the job was brewing.
Compounding matters for Schneider was a bout of mononucleosis. "The first day of camp I went into our doctors with a sore throat so they checked me for strep," he said. "It was only a couple hours later I got the call and was told I had mononucleosis. Fortunately, it was only a mild case."
While his teammates went through double-day drills, Schneider was forced to kick in one workout and stay in bed the other. Lonie, meanwhile, was impressing the coaches with his new accuracy.
Did Schneider worry that his job might be slipping away? "I tried not to think about that too much," he said. "I just wanted to get better and put myself in a position to do well. The big thing was for me to get healthy."
Schneider finally has returned to full health, but he wore a boot on his left foot (his plant foot) during Wednesday's practice. He was hit at the very end of Tuesday's scrimmage and rolled his left ankle. "It's nothing," Schneider said. "I just needed to take a day off."
Despite Schneider's setbacks during camp, Tedford said Schneider will be his kicker when the Bears open against visiting Sacramento State on Sept. 3. Tedford said he is confident the kicker will have a solid sophomore season.
"I'm kicking pretty well," Schneider said. "But I've put a lot of time into it. I know that this season, I have to be Steady Eddie."
He wasn't Steady Eddie until the end of last season, when he connected on four of his final five tries. Earlier in the season, Cal fans grumbled. "You learn to ignore the criticism," Schneider said. "I know my potential and my ability. I just need to keep my nose to the grindstone."
Former Cal kicker Doug Brien has called Schneider often the past year, giving him tips on techniques and focus. He also remembered lessons taught by his dad, Thomas Schneider. "His thing is to do everything with class," Schneider said.
Fresh decisions
Tedford will have some tough decisions to make when it comes to redshirting freshmen. He praised the play of linebackers Zack Follett and Anthony Felder and said they both will play this season.
"They have really shown well in camp," Tedford said. "They have great instincts. I wouldn't hesitate to play those guys."
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive tackle Mika Kane also will play.
Tedford's toughest decisions will be whether to use tight end Cameron Morrah, who has been very impressive in camp, or defensive back Syd'Quan Thompson, who also can return kicks. Both look physically prepared to play major college football, but they might be a bit behind on learning the system.
Choice on Monday
Tedford said he will name his starting quarterback Monday, although it is apparent Nate Longshore will get that call over Joe Ayoob, at least early in the season. "Nate has held that slight edge," Tedford said. "It's about who will be the most consistent in the game."
Extra points
Although Cal has one final double-day practice session today, Tedford said he already has geared down and will begin putting in the Sacramento State game plan today. ... Cal's only major injuries during camp were the high-ankle sprain suffered by freshman linebacker Worrell Williams and an ankle injury suffered by backup guard Brian De La Puente that is being evaluated. Both players are out indefinitely.