Bears coach Tedford insists offensive changes won't be as major as projected
By Jay Heater
BERKELEY - Although Tennessee will be the site of its unveiling, there are many non-Volunteers interested in getting a first look at Cal's Ted-Spread offense. Coach Jeff Tedford will continue meshing his own offensive philosophies with the spread tactics of new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar when the Golden Bears open summer camp Monday at Memorial Stadium. The system will be trotted out on Sept. 2 when Cal begins its season at Tennessee. "It's going to be interesting to watch them move the ball," said Arizona coach Mike Stoops. "They had a lot of success moving the ball anyway. We're used to seeing them run downhill (with a power running game) and now they are going to be running sideways. But how can you question (Tedford)? He is going to give them their best chance to win."
USC coach Pete Carroll added, "I can't imagine Cal's offense getting more productive than it's been." Tedford insists his offensive changes won't be as major as projected. "It's really just an added dimension," he said. "There are concepts that carry over into both offenses. I'm not completely changing our philosophies." Oregon went to a spread offense last season and wound up in the Holiday Bowl after losing only to USC during the regular season. However, Ducks coach Mike Bellotti can't imagine trying to merge a spread offense with one currently in place. Cal ran a pro-style offense last season. "I'm surprised Jeff would do that," Bellotti said. "I'm not sure you can do both. The snap alone that you use in the spread is a major commitment." Tedford agrees that mastering the long snap with the quarterback in the shotgun has proved troublesome.
"That's the key," Tedford said. "That is No. 1. We're not where we need to be. We have to get a lot better at the long snap if we intend to do (the spread)." Sophomore Alex Mack has inherited the starting job at center, but his first exposure to snapping back to a quarterback in the shotgun came in the spring. Junior Mark Gray, who transferred from El Camino Community College, is pushing Mack for time. That will be one of the interesting battles of summer camp. The main focus will be on the quarterback battle between sophomore Nate Longshore and senior Joe Ayoob. Senior Steve Levy, who is suspended for the Tennessee game due to his role in a San Francisco bar fight, might get back in the mix as well. Longshore has almost no experience after breaking his leg in the season opener a year ago and Ayoob struggled in his nine starts, but Tedford is convinced the position will be a strength. "We have tremendous competition at quarterback," Tedford said. "That gives our team confidence. We have three quarterbacks who have played there."
Tedford will find out on Monday if Levy is ready to challenge for the spot. "Steve wasn't with the team in the summer," Tedford said. "I'm sure he did a lot of throwing on his own. If he did, he should be right back in the rotation." Tedford faces major rebuilding on the offensive line, but that job could be eased by senior left tackle Andrew Cameron's decision to return. Cameron started three games last season before missing the rest of the year due to knee surgery. He originally decided to give up football, but his quick recovery led him to inform Tedford earlier this summer that he wanted to play again. Considering that Cal lost starters Marvin Philip, Aaron Merz and Ryan O'Callaghan, Cameron could have a major impact if he is healthy. "How is Andrew going to come back? That is a question that has to be answered," Tedford said. "But if he is healthy, that gives us a lot of experience at the position. He is a guy who can help our younger players." One of those players is sophomore Mike Tepper, who was listed as the starter at left tackle after spring ball. Cameron's return might create competition between Tepper and senior Scott Smith at right tackle with one of them perhaps moving to guard.
It appears that Cal's offensive line won't be as physically dominating as last season, but Tedford said that might be OK with the spread starting to become a staple of the offense. "Our offensive line isn't as big as last year," Tedford said. "But we have a lot of athleticism." The Bears will need a big effort from the offensive line if junior tailback Marshawn Lynch has any hope of entering the Heisman race. Bellotti expects Lynch to land in New York when the nation's top football player is announced. "Lynch undoubtedly is one of the best players in the United States, the way he handles everything," Bellotti said. Prognosticators say that Cal will have a lot of other potentially great players as well. Most analysts are picking the Bears to finish among the nation's top 10 teams. "It just makes us work harder," said Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes. "We are trying to achieve those expectations. At times, you feel the pressure because we know that everyone is going to bring their 'A' game to face us. We know that everyone wants to make their name against us. "But the skill level and speed is exceptional on this team. We are stacked at every position."
2006 CAL FOOTBALL
CAL TRAINING CAMP
TOP CAL PRIORITIES OF CAMP
• WHERE: California Memorial Stadium
• WHEN: Aug. 6-Aug. 26
• SCRIMMAGE DATES: Aug. 17 (4:15-6:30 p.m.); Aug. 22 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)
* -- Training camp is closed to the public
1. Decide between quarterbacks Joe Ayoob, Steve Levy and Nate Longshore
2. Rebuild an offensive line that lost three starters to the NFL
3. Master the snap in the shotgun formation
4. Fill the rover and free safety positions
5. Make sure junior college transfer Andrew Larson can handle the punting job
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