By Jay Heater
Freshman quarterback Kyle Reed dropped back from center during a recent Cal practice, surveyed the field and fired a bullet over the middle. It had more bad intentions than a Mike Tyson hook. The problem was that the ball was rifled behind the intended receiver before it found a path through a sea of defenders' hands. It fell incomplete, and it drew a quick reaction from Cal coach Jeff Tedford, who hustled to quiz Reed about his errant throw. Next up was freshman Nate Longshore, who wears more tape on his left ankle these days than the Mummy. His toss was sharp and on target. The only problem was that he limped a bit after making the throw. Junior Steve Levy, who will start against BYU on Dec. 22 in the Las Vegas Bowl, then took his turn. He rambled to his right, found no one open and chugged down field like a locomotive. The only problem was that Tedford is trying to find out whether Levy can make all the throws necessary to be a full-time starter next season.
Then came junior Joe Ayoob and ... well ... he just has problems right now. Perhaps a new start in the spring will be just what the doctor has ordered. Surveying all this activity was incoming quarterback Kevin Riley, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Oregon who has given an oral commitment to Cal. Riley, who was visiting from his home in Beaverton, Ore., appears to have all the skills to be a big-time player at the Division I-A level. The only problem is that a true freshman likely isn't going to handle Tedford's complicated offense. Tedford, has his work cut out for him. He's got quarterbacks with size, strength, quickness, talent and heart. He just doesn't have those qualities in one guy.
At least not yet.
If the hair on the back of Tedford's neck is standing straight up, it's not because he is worried. It's because Cal fans are breathing down his neck, wondering what he will do to solve the team's most nagging problem. Cal is headed into 2006 with a team that figures to draw a lot of attention. All the offensive skill players with the exception of fullback Chris Manderino will be back. So will most of the defense. It won't go unnoticed that the Bears could have been 10-1 this season with a few breaks. But great teams usually need a very good quarterback. USC this season has Matt Leinart. Texas has Vince Young. Notre Dame has Brady Quinn. Cal has ... fill-in-the-blank.
If Tedford has a magic quarterback wand, it's time to wave it. Levy will go into the Las Vegas Bowl against BYU hoping to use the bowl as an audition for future opportunities. After Levy, it's ... well ... punt. Reed is redshirting and is not eligible. Longshore's ankle hasn't come around and he won't play in the bowl barring a miracle. Ayoob is available but struggling. Spring ball will be a different story. Reed will be ready to compete with more classroom time under his belt. Longshore should be physically fit by that time. Ayoob's demons might be exorcised. "It's been a really long process," Reed said of the redshirt year he took to study Cal's offensive system. "I know I have a lot more learning to do. But my goal is to compete for a starting role. I feel I have the mechanics and the athletic ability. The only thing holding me back is the mental aspect."
Reed's inexperience might make Longshore the favorite to win back the starting job he lost when he broke his leg in the season opener against Sacramento State. He said that sitting on the sideline didn't stop him from learning. "I went to all the meetings and most of the practices," said Longshore, who will be a redshirt sophomore in 2006. "I learned about preparation and what it takes. I think the injury actually helped me to improve my arm strength. I also know more about how to manage school and my social life. Everything is more routine. "As far as learning the speed of the game, I will be taking repetitions against our defense in practice and it is one of the best in the conference and the country. So I think I will be used to the speed of the game."
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