Daily Cal: Bears Still Undecided on Quarterback

BY Gerald Nicdao

Daily Cal Staff Writer

Monday, August 14, 2006

• The Cal football team began training camp last week, and quarterbacks Nate Longshore, Joe Ayoob and Steve Levy have gotten about the same number of snaps so far.  Coach Jeff Tedford said he won't narrow the field until Thursday, when the Bears have their first scrimmage.  No one has separated himself from the pack so far, but the coach said he'll get a clearer idea more "when everything gets put in" on offense.  "They're really paying attention to detail," Tedford said. "I think they're going to be just fine."

• The installation of some aspects of the spread offense under new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar appears to be going smoothly.  "The shotgun is the main thing (we have to get used to)," Tedford said. "Besides that, they're all protections we've run before, and they're all run-schemes we've run before."  Tedford also said that the running backs' ability to catch the football, which is imperative in the spread offense, is a strength for the Bears.

• Cal is returning the most letterman (18) in the Pac-10 this year. The extra experience has enabled the Bears to change the way they have been preparing for the 2006 campaign.  "There's more experience, so you don't have to teach practice organization," Tedford said. "Everyone knows what they're doing and where they're going. You don't spend as much time doing that, you spend more time working on plays and execution."  With less than three weeks until its season opener at Tennessee, the Bears are also trying to prepare for the humid conditions they may encounter. "We'll continue to work real hard on our conditioning," Tedford said. "The weather has been cooperating a little bit. We've also been watering down the field to create some humidity."

• Bears running back Marcus O'Keith strained a hamstring in practice last week. Tedford said that the senior tailback should return in a week and a half.  Freshman Michael Costanzo, a highly-touted offensive lineman out of high school, sprained his knee in practice Wednesday. The Danville, Calif., native will be out four to six weeks.  Fellow offensive lineman Matt Laird dislocated his shoulder in Saturday's practice and will be out two weeks.

Sophomore defensive tackle Mika Kane broke his hand and will be out around three weeks.

• With the graduation of David Lonie, Cal's punting prowess may not be the same as in year's past.  This prompted quarterback-turned-fullback-turned-quarterback Steve Levy to take a few punts in the spring as well as the first week of camp.