Tuesday, December 04, 2007

San Jose Mercury: Cal lied about Longshore's injury: Did Tedford's loyalty derail the season?

Jon Wilner

Turns out that Cal quarterback Nate Longshore had more than a “high” ankle sprain — he also had a bone chip in the ankle, according to a report in the Daily Cal.  The Bears never said a word about the bone chip, even though Coach Jeff Tedford knew about it all along. (Maybe the headline should say: “Cal did not disclose the full extent of Longshore’s injury.”)   This is hardly breaking news. Watching Longshore struggle in the second half of the season — he got hurt Sept. 29 at Oregon — it was fairly obvious that something was up. Either he had the worst ankle sprain in the history of mankind, or that wasn’t the only source of his trouble. The question was raised on the Hotline a few weeks ago (here’s the link to the full post):  

I can’t help but wonder if his ankle injury is worse than Longshore and/or Cal is letting on — maybe it’s a break and not a sprain? — and I say this because of how Longshore looks in the fourth quarter. Now that we know the truth, a couple thoughts:

* It would be nice if coaches and teams were honest about injuries, but that’s not reality, and I’m not about to rip the Bears for keeping the bone chip quiet. Tedford was protecting his player and his team, and that’s his responsibility.   My assumption is that he felt making the bone chip public would have put Longshore at greater risk — opponents would have been going after his lower leg viciously. Asked by the Daily Cal if the bone chip affected Longshore’s performance, Tedford said: “There’s no doubt about that. There’s no question that it’s hindered his ability to step up or to move around. He just hasn’t been able to do that.”

* But you do have to seriously question Tedford’s decision to stick with Longshore for all these weeks when it was obvious that his quarterback was not close to 100 percent. An already-immobile QB with a sprained ankle and a bone chip — that’s a recipe for six losses in seven games. The Daily Cal asked Tedford that very question, and his response should make Old and Young Blues cringe. Tedford said that he left the decision up to Longshore — that he asked Longshore if the bone chip was affecting his play in the fourth quarter, Longshore said it wasn’t, so Tedford stuck with the junior.  “I think it’s more a case of a guy trying to be too perfect,” Tedford explained. “A guy trying to get things done and maybe trying too hard.”

My reaction:

OF COURSE LONGSHORE SAID THE BONE CHIP WASN’T A PROBLEM!  Longshore wanted to play — like any player worth his scholarship — and wasn’t going to admit anything that might land him on the bench. (And maybe he believed what he was saying. Maybe he thought the pain wasn’t a problem, or shouldn’t have been a problem.)  But that’s where the head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterback guru with the seven-figure contract has to step in and use his best judgement — not defer to the player. It was obvious that Longshore was hurting in the fourth quarter of games (sometimes even the third quarter).  Tedford admitted that himself … that’s why he asked Longshore about it numerous times, and that’s what he told the Daily Cal: “There’s no question that it’s hindered his ability to step up or to move around.” Do you believe your eyes and the stat sheet, or what the gutsy but struggling junior tells you? Tedford should have yanked Longshore numerous times, both because of the ankle and because of his performance. But he stuck by his man. Loyalty (to players and coaches) is Tedford’s greatest attribute and possibly his greatest failing. I can’t believe I’m writing this about a college football coach, but sometimes Tedford is too loyal, too empathetic. So Longshore has a sprained ankle and a bone chip and he’s struggling mightily in the second half of games and it’s obvious that he can’t move …  Maybe some time on the bench would have prevented Longshore from making mistakes, thus avoiding the loss of confidence that also derailed the quarterback. Not only did Tedford’s decision to stick by Longshore undermine Cal’s chances for success this season, it jeopardized next year, too. Because all that time Longshore was on the field struggling, leading Cal to defeat after defeat, backup Kevin Riley was sitting on the bench not getting any experience for next year. There’s a good chance the Bears will need Riley next year, either because 1) Longshore won’t be good enough, or 2) because Longshore will get hurt again.  Remember, this is the seocnd time in three years that he’s had a serious injury in that area of his lower leg.

Isn’t there a decent chance that an immobile quarterback with two injuries in the same area will get hurt a third time? And then what will Cal have in ‘08?  The inexperienced Riley leading the way.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tedford's loyalty to his quarterback is one thing. But, what about his loyalty to the other members of the team?? Is it any surprise, that they became frustrated and that frustration showed in the quality of their play towards the end of the season?

Anonymous said...

Tedford made a huge mistake and the players looked frustrated.

Tedford should apologize to the players right now and start preparing Riley to face Air Force as there is no way Longshore's injury will be healed by Dec. 31st.

Tedford is an idiot.

Anyone that blindly said they have faith in Tedford for being conservative to protect Longshore should apologize immediately!!!

Anonymous said...

Tedford also lied when he interviewed for the Head Coaching job! Grounds for termination of contract! IMMEDIATELY! CASE CLOSED.

Anonymous said...

Nice straw man rockie.

Appologizing and changing course is Tedford's only option or he will lose the players for next season too.

Tedford is shaping up as a coach that can not win the big game when it counts most.

Anonymous said...

apologize? talk about over reacting to the first not so great season in many years...chill out. you guys are gay.

Anonymous said...

You are, Mr. How, not us! We are the new realists of Strawberry Canyon! All of you have been brainwashed! You are all fools!

Tedford lied - Cal football died!

Anonymous said...

are there tree huggers hanging around this blog? i smell of some

Anonymous said...

Kevin Riley's performance in the bowl game proved what many a loyal Cal supporter has felt all along. He should have started the UCLA game and the rest of the season. The team played with new vigor with Riley in the lineup. Longshore is immobile on a good day and with the injury he became a real anchor on the offense. There should be no QB controversy next year. Riley should be the starter and Longshore benched. Tedford loyalty to one player sunk what could have been an outstanding season. The bowl game proved Tedford a fool!! Also, Tedford should hire an offensive coordinator and stop hiding behind that big play card. He should start managing the game. To blame Riley for the OSU loss is bogus. This was pure and simple a coaches' error. Riley should have been given explicit instructions on what to do. When ones nose is stuck in a play card you lose sight of the action on the field.