San Jose Mercury: Inexperienced group to replace Cal's Hughes

Players vie to succeed Pac-10's top defender

By Jonathan Okanes

If spring practice taught Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory one thing, it's that the cupboard isn't bare in the program's efforts to replace All-America cornerback Daymeion Hughes. Now it's just a matter of organizing the cupboard the right way.  While Hughes has been busy preparing for the NFL draft at the end of the month, the Bears have been taking a look at his potential replacements. In freshmen Darian Hagan and Charles Amadi and senior Brandon Hampton, Cal feels prepared to move on without last season's Pac-10 defensive player of the year. "We're young and inexperienced, but I feel like we have a lot of depth," Gregory said. "They have a lot of ability but they are still learning."  The Bears held their final spring practice Saturday, one that consisted mostly of scrimmaging in different game situations. While sophomore Syd'Quan Thompson is a lock at one corner after starting every game last season, the position that Hughes left vacant was one of Cal's biggest concerns when spring practice began March 12.  Hagan played with the first unit Saturday, but that doesn't mean he'll be the starter. The Bears didn't get much of a look at Amadi because he suffered a groin injury during the first week of practice. Hampton is a senior, but is making the switch from rover, where he was a starter last season. 

"It's still up in the air," Gregory said. "It's different if they were defensive tackles and they give up a first down if they make a mistake. If (a defensive back makes mistakes), I'm out of a job."   The offensive line was one of Cal's other major question marks this spring. Center Alex Mack, tackle Mike Gibson and guard Noris Malele should be starters (Gibson and Malele missed the spring with injuries). Mike Tepper started Saturday at left tackle and is a good bet to remain with the first unit. Cal Coach Jeff Tedford singled out the strong spring by guard Brian De La Puente.  The practice, which drew a couple of thousand fans, included back-to-back punt returns for touchdowns by Hampton and Brandon Jones.  The Bears didn't run the ball particularly well, but quarterback Nate Longshore was 9 for 13 for 130 yards and three touchdowns in limited action.