Daily Cal: Jeremy Ross: Man in the Background Man

BY Brian Bainum

Most Cal fans are familiar with players like Marshawn Lynch or Nate Longshore. But what about the guys who don't star on Saturday? I caught up with Jeremy Ross, an outspoken freshman in the Bears' receiving unit, in an attempt to find out more about life behind the scenes on the Cal football team.

Brian Bainum: So you seemed to be on TV a lot during the Minnesota game, particularly around DeSean Jackson after his touchdowns on the sidelines. Did your friends think that was pretty cool?

Jeremy Ross: That was actually my plan. I gotta let people know who I am out there on the camera. They see DeSean, but I know they are asking, 'Who is that cat in the background?'  I know when they see that face it is a wonderful thing. I am just trying to get exposed, so whenever someone made a play I would clap my hands and run over to the cameras and let the cameras focus on me. That was my main goal.

BB: Sounds like what I would do too. I heard through the grapevine that you had a cool idea for a background for television interviews too. What was it? A dinosaur instead of a Cal logo?

JR: Yeah, I mean, if it was me being interviewed, I would want a Tyrannosaurus Rex behind me because that would really show my toughness. People would be wondering why I wouldn't be shook up or scared, and it would be because I am tough.

BB: Speaking of tough, what about Erik Robertson? What does he have, 19 tattoos? Nate (Longshore) said he thought Erik was going to beat him up the first day he saw him.

JR: I thought he looked like The Undertaker from WWF. He looks just like him. After I met him, I realized he was a gentleman, so forgive me for stereotyping.

BB: Forgiven. So if you had to stereotype this team with a soundtrack, what would it be?

JR: It would have to be something slow. A slow jam, because we're real smooth.

BB: On the topic of smooth, have you ever been mistaken for Marshawn Lynch on campus? I think it might work if you grew the dreds out a little.

JR: Oh yeah, people are always coming up to me and being like, "Marshawn! Marshawn!" I could pull it off if I switched the jersey to No. 10.

BB: OK, Jeremy. Let's play a little game. I'll say something and you respond with the first word that comes to mind. Jeff Tedford.

JR: Serious. Shows no emotion.

BB: Syd'Quan Thompson.

JR: Calm.

BB: Marshawn Lynch.

JR: Grimy.

BB: Give me your best Marshawn imitation.

JR: I saw him on the TV before Minnesota and they asked him, "So I see when you run the ball you run really hard and you don't go down." And he said, (lowers voice and imitates Marshawn) "Oh, uh well, you know my mama always told me to never quit, you know, and never give up. So I just take that while I'm on the field and never quit."

BB: Other than Marshawn interviews, what is on TV at the Ross domicile?

JR: When you come into our apartment, you will look on our 30-some-inch screen, you will see a game called Madden '07 on the Xbox 360. My team is the Niners.

BB: They actually played pretty well against the Cardinals. Anyway, it's been nice hanging out with you Jeremy. I want to end by asking you about the team ladies' man. Last year, hands down, it was punter David Lonie. I talked to (punter Andrew) Larson and he said he has taken over that role, but I wanted a second opinion.

JR: He said that? The ladies man? Hmm. I mean, I am an attractive guy and a lot of women try to approach me and spit they game at me. I don't spit game like that. I just live my life and whatever comes my way comes my way. But a ladies man who really tries to go get girls? Uhh ... I'm not sure if I have seen anyone like that on this team. I've never seen anybody in action.