By Jay Heater
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Cal freshman linebackers Anthony Felder and Zack Follett will face the burning question tonight, "Should I stay or should I go?"
Bears defensive coordinator Bob Gregory has accelerated the learning process by giving the athletically gifted rookies as many snaps as possible. So it's understandable that both might make a few mistakes against host New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium. But a mistake against the pass-happy Aggies, such as going to the line of scrimmage on a run fake instead of staying in pass coverage, could result in a huge offensive play. Making the right decision could pay dividends. New Mexico State has thrown eight interceptions in three games.
Cal coach Jeff Tedford is confident his two highly recruited freshmen will make the right decisions. "Both those guys are getting a lot of time on the field," Tedford said. "The No. 1 reason they have played so much is that (linebackers coach) Justin Wilcox is doing a great job. But they are both so athletic and so responsible that they have earned time on the field. And they have the speed to recover from their mistakes."
The Bears lost their top six tacklers from their 2004 team, including linebackers Wendell Hunter, Joe Maningo and Sid Slater. That unit has been rebuilt, and Follett and Felder appear to be fixtures for quite some time. "Just wait to see us three years from now," Follett said.
For now, though, both understand that they will look a bit mechanical to the fans. "So far, the biggest difference from high school is learning the concepts of our defense," said Follett, who came out of Clovis High School as the No. 9-ranked inside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com. "In high school, I would run around and make plays. Now, I just need to do my assignment.
"Pretty soon, it's going to come naturally." Felder, a consensus All-American out of Shoreline, Wash., agrees that it will be a while before his instincts take over. "There is so much for me to think about at times," he said. "But I'm getting more comfortable. I just have to relax a little."
Against Illinois, Felder was relaxed enough to make eight tackles while Follett recorded five. Through three games, Felder is fifth on the team with 11 tackles and Follett is sixth with 10. "We had a very intense (training) camp," Felder said. "I knew the coaches expected me to contribute early so there was a little more pressure to pick up the system. But to be honest, I felt more pressure in high school because I was the one everyone expected to make things happen. Here, you do your own job."
Since they knew they were facing similar responsibilities, the two decided to become roommates even though they were originally assigned to live with other teammates. "I thought it would be best," Follett said. "He's a good guy." So who cleans the kitchen? "Thank God we don't have any dishes right now," said Felder, who broke into a wide smile. With so much to learn these days, Felder doesn't have time for many laughs. He goes about his business in a very serious manner. He is the more quiet of the two roommates off the field, while Follett admits to having a little extra personality. "We had to do a little rookie show, kind of a skit, and I did this routine," Follett said. "I think everyone knows me as the Z-Man now."
His skit might have flowed smoothly, but Follett said the games against Washington and Illinois were eye-openers. "That first game, against Sacramento State, everything flowed," he said. "But the other two games it was a lot different. The athletes were faster."
Fortunately, both linebackers have been brought up to speed by facing Cal's offense in practice. "That really has helped us," Follett said. "Nothing compares to that."
CAL FOOTBALL REPORT
• ESSENTIALS: Cal at New Mexico State, Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, N.M.
• KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
• TV/RADIO: ESPN; 810-AM
• RECORDS: Cal 3-0 after a 35-20 win over Illinois on Saturday in Berkeley; New Mexico State 0-3 after 38-21 loss at New Mexico on Saturday.
• INJURIES: Cal -- QB Nate Longshore (leg), WR Noah Smith (leg), DE Tosh Lupoi (knee), OG Aaron Merz (concussion) are out; LB Greg Van Hoesen (ankle), OT Andrew Cameron (concussion), TB Marshawn Lynch (hand) are questionable. New Mexico State -- No injuries reported.
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