Cal's Ayoob poised to move in

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER
SAN RAFAEL — Two years ago, a junior college transfer drove down from Chico, registered at Cal, worked his way up to starting quarterback, played in two bowl games, then departed as a first-round NFL draft pick.
Now it's deja vu all over again, as Yogi Berra misspoke in his unique way. Another JC transfer has arrived on the Cal campus, from San Rafael, someone driven to emulate his quarterbacking predecessor.
The BCS-related question: Is Joe Ayoob another Aaron Rodgers?
The short answer: Nate Longshore stands in Ayoob's way, just as Reggie Robertson blocked Rodgers in 2003. August will prove an ally or an adversary. Cal holds its first fall practice this morning.
The long answer: Cal coach Jeff Tedford isn't a fool. He knows which quarterback will take his team the furthest, poll-wise and bowl-wise.
"They're about even," Tedford said of Ayoob and Longshore.
Ayoob (Ay-yoob) is a junior who moves the pocket. Longshore, a redshirt freshman, is a pocket passer who's learning how to move. Guess which one USC would like to face?
"It's still not even," Ayoob said Friday while visiting his parents. "Nate has a leg up knowing game-planning. But once that comes around for me, we'll be on an even pedestal. I think I have a really good chance to start.
"My best attribute on the field is my poise. If something goes wrong, you won't see me slinging the ball down, pouting on the sideline, or getting on alineman. I try to keep my huddle calm."
Ayoob isn't a clone of Rodgers. The 6-3, 220-pound Ayoob, from City College of San Francisco, is an inch taller and 25 pounds heavier than Rodgers was when he showed up from Butte College (he eventually bulked up to 222).
Rodgers has the laser arm; Ayoob is more elusive. On a larger scale, think Dan Marino vs. Steve Young.
"Maybe earlier in the season," Ayoob projected, "there may be a little more running because of nerves. I know I have the arm, no question."
While Rodgers has the accuracy — 23 straight completions against USC — Ayoob better impersonates Joe Montana with the game clock running down.
To Rodgers' credit, his first center-snap at Cal occurred in the summer. Ayoob has had a spring practice under Tedford. Both quarterbacks have engaging personalities, and a certain brashness. Ayoob, for instance, talks smack with opposing defensive linemen.
"I call them pretty," he said of his Joe Kapp-like machismo.
"Physically," Tedford said in comparing Rodgers and Ayoob, "they bring different things to the table. They both throw the ball well. Joe's probably a tad more athletic; the escape dimension is there. Aaron's probably a little more disciplined. Joe's kind of a street-ball artist. He can make things happen. We have to harness that a little bit."
At CCSF, Ayoob led the Rams to a 23-1 record and one state title. SuperPrep named him the No.2 JC player in the country. Ayoob's CCSF teammates called him the "white Michael Vick."
"He's not white, though," Cal offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan quipped. "He's Mexican and Lebanese."
Joe Ayoob Sr., from Pittsburgh, is Lebanese. His wife, Marie, was born in Mexico. Joe Sr. captained Clemson's basketball team as a point guard in the 1960s. He then became a banker. Marie worked in the same bank in Los Angeles. Their daughter, Susan, is three years older than Joe Jr., who turned 21 today.
"I raised my kids like I was raised in the'50s, with respect for authority," said Joe Sr. "I loved them like Earth itself, but I didn't raise them to be my friends. A lot of my contemporaries wanted their kids to be friends with them. I was pretty tough on them, tougher on Joe than Susan. I'd like Joe to be my friend now. He's a wonderful kid."
Joe Jr. is exceedingly polite. Like Rodgers, he basically was ignored by recruiters coming out of high school. Both flowered at the JC level.
"Marie's more the optimistic one. I'm pragmatic," said Joe Sr. "I try not to put any unnecessary pressure on Joe. If he does start for Tedford, then the history of his quarterbacks is they all get a chance to play (in the NFL)."
Tedford described Ayoob as "paralyzed" in the spring.
"I feel I'm not paralyzed anymore," said Ayoob. "I have the basic concepts of the plays down. There's still more learning to do, but it's more instinctive now. I'm ready for it."
BEAR TRACKS: Starting fullback Chris Manderino has recovered from a broken jaw received in the spring when he was tackled by linebacker Worrell Williams. ... De La Salle High product Anthony Binswanger, who kicked off last year, has left school, informing Tedford he's transferring to CCSF. Tedford said punter David Lonie also will handle kickoffs this year, with Tom Schneider returning as field-goal specialist. ... Backup offensive lineman Paul Fraley has left the team. ... All Cal practices are closed to the public except for Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday, Aug. 27.