Contra Costa Times: Defensive line fights injuries

CAL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

TALENTED UNIT STRUGGLING TO TO GET HEALTHY FOR OPENER

By Jay Heater

College football analysts have noticed the job Cal defensive-line coach Ken Delgado has done building a quality unit.  Athlon magazine ranked Cal's defensive line as No. 1 in the country. Delgado, however, said he isn't worried about ratings. He just wants healthy bodies. Sophomore defensive tackle Mika Kane, who was listed as a starter after spring camp, had surgery Saturday to repair a broken finger on his right hand. He should be out about three weeks, which leaves him as questionable for the Sept. 2 opener at Tennessee. He joins freshman tackle Michael Costanzo, who sprained a knee and is out at least weeks, on the sideline. Also limited is freshman Derrick Hill, a tackle who hasn't been involved in contact drills because of a slight injury. Junior tackle Matt Malele was the starter last year until tearing a knee ligament against USC on Nov. 12. He appears ready to reclaim his spot.

Malele has recovered better than junior defensive end Phillip Mbakogu, who had surgery on his left knee after last season to clear up some cartilage problems. ``I really can't say where I'm at right now,'' Mbakogu said Saturday. ``I'll have to see what I can do, take it in stride.'' Mbakogu is listed as the second-team defensive end behind Abu Ma'afala, who was switched from his defensive tackle position. Mbakogu had 10 tackles for loss and 5 1/2 sacks in 2005. ``His injury was a lot more serious than we expected,'' Delgado said of Mbakogu. ``You can tell right now that he's not ready. He is unstable, a little, and sore.'' Senior defensive end Steve Kelly missed last season because of knee surgery and faces a long battle up the depth chart to regain the spot he held in 2004. Fortunately for Delgado, help appears to be on the way. Freshman defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, a recruit from Hawaii in 2005 who stayed out of school to tend to personal business, is on board and looking impressive. Junior college transfer Rulon Davis will make an immediate impact, Delgado said.

Depth chart

Tight end Cameron Morrah, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound redshirt freshman, has improved his strength considerably during the off-season and figures to play a lot of snaps, Coach Jeff Tedford said.   Morrah is behind junior Craig Stevens and senior Eric Beegun on the depth chart, but he might be the biggest receiving threat of the three. Morrah struggled with blocking duties last season, but Tedford said he has ``changed his game.''

• Tedford identified his top four rotation at wide receiver as sophomore DeSean Jackson, junior Robert Jordan, junior Lavelle Hawkins and senior David Gray. He said junior Noah Smith, who has been impressive in practice, is working to break into the top seven in his rotation.

• Freshman offensive lineman Matt Laird jammed his shoulder Saturday, and Tedford said the injury needed to be checked out.