San Jose Mercury: Shows he's no pro

CAL'S COACH PUNISHES HIS QB

By John Ryan

Mercury News

Cal fans stay awake nights every off-season wondering if this is the year Jeff Tedford heads to the NFL. Stop worrying. The coach showed this week that he isn't cut out for the pros. Tedford suspended quarterback Steve Levy for a game, and maybe more, just because Levy is charged with throwing a pint glass at a bouncer. Geez, what are they teaching up in Berkeley? That isn't how they do it in the bigs. Last week, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers took the mound barely 24 hours after witnesses said he punched his wife in the face.

``I think he'll be fine and it's in the best interests of the club,'' General Manager/Beacon Of Perspective Pat Gillick said. ``He's been our best pitcher.''

Well, OK, if he's your best pitcher, by all means then. And in the NFL, teams have coordinators for offense, defense, special teams and probation.

Now listen to Tedford: ``At a minimum, Steve will miss the first game of his senior year. Further action, if warranted, will be decided upon after resolution of his situation.'' Does this sound like a man who can handle those who can't handle themselves? No. It sounds like a man who shouldn't be dealing with any ``Golden Handcuffs'' except that bonus at the end of his contract.