Rusty Simmons
The Cal football players couldn't help but be a little stunned. They starred at each other for what seemed like an eternity before finally believing what they had just heard. Coach Jeff Tedford had pulled the ultimate oddity Friday, ending practice early. With a week left in the spring schedule, the Bears have earned a 2 1/2-minute break here and there, because everything is working its way into place. The offense, which returns eight starters from a unit that averaged 415.6 yards and 32.8 points a game, looks sharp. Quarterback Nate Longshore appears poised to better his 3,021-yard, 24-touchdown performance of a year ago, and tailback Justin Forsett, whose 6.39 yards a carry average is tops among the nation's returning backs, is excited to carry the load.
With the full stable of receiving threats returning, the only questions for the offense come along the offensive line, which is secured by Alex Mack but has to replace tackle Andrew Cameron and guard Erik Robertson. Starters Mike Gibson and Noris Malele have missed most of the spring drills with injuries, giving more repetitions for the youngsters to fight for the two open spots. Mike Tepper and Brian De La Puente are the front-runners, but there is a heavy push coming from a variety of guys, who are led by Chris Guarnero. As peachy as the offensive projections are, the defense also is well on its way to filling its voids. Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, linebacker Desmond Bishop and cornerback Daymeion Hughes will be drafted in three weeks, but the replacements are emerging. "Of course, we're excited," defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said. "Every one is playing hard. It's just a matter of putting it all together and understanding the scheme." They've got the players to do just that.
Redshirt freshman Derrick Hill has returned after last year's lingering knee injury and is evolving into a potential star. Hill and Mika Kane will battle for the defensive tackle spot alongside anchor Matt Malele. "When you lose a player like Brandon Mebane, the whole group has to step up," Gregory said. "Nothing against defensive linemen, but replacing a corner is the most important because that position can give up a lot." Cal has no choice but to throw someone into the fire at the corner spot across from Syd'Quan Thompson. Brandon Hampton, last season's starting rover, Darian Hagan, Charles Amadi, Jesse Brooks and Robert Peele, who has shown vast improvement, are fighting for the starting spot. "We've got to find the right guy," Gregory said. "Any of those players can be the guy if they step up and take charge." The linebackers already got that message. On top of returning starters Worrell Williams and Justin Moye, the Bears return Zack Follett, who was an all-conference player despite not starting, and Anthony Felder, who was a freshman All-American two years ago. Gregory said Eddie Young may have made more strides than any player regardless of position, and Greg Van Hoesen is in the mix with Williams and Follett to replace middle backer Bishop, the conference's leading tackler.
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