Jon Wilner
OK, doomed might be a bit strong — that headline was a visceral response when the topic of next season popped into my head driving home from Big Game on Saturday night. But I sure don’t see a Pac-10 title contender when I look at the roster. And that’s if DeSean Jackson comes back for his senior year. Frankly, I think Jackson wants to bolt and will bolt if he gets assurances of being a first-day pick. When you have an older brother who played in the NFL, the NFL is just about all you’re thinking about once your junior year rolls around. On that topic: I can’t help but wonder what the coaches thought privately of Jackson not playing in Big Game because of a bruised thigh. Isn’t that something you at least try to play through? Is it, unless you’re saving yourself … Anyhow, the defense should be decent, if for no other reason than many of the two-deepers are returning. (The Bears have to find an answer at middle linebacker, however. Worrell Williams is not it.)
But there are serious, serious questions at the skill positions, of all places. Justin Forsett departs, and Jahvid Best’s hip injury could be serious. If Best can’t play, then James Montgomery is the guy. (Could be worse, but it could be a lot better, too.) Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan depart, and Jackson might join them. If he does, the Bears will be totally rebuilding at receiver. If he doesn’t, he’ll be double-teammed every step of the way. And — here’s the biggie — what are the Bears going to do at quarterback? I believe Jeff Tedford put the 2008 season at risk by not playing Kevin Riley down the stretch in ‘07 — not full time, but for portions of each game, minimum. And I’m not saying that based on how Nate Longshore played in Big Game. I was saying that weeks ago (here’s the link) (and there’s a link within that link to an even earlier post on Longshore). What I saw in Big Game only made me more convinced that Longshore is not the guy to lead Cal to a conference title. He’s so vulnerable against first-rate pass rushes and blitzes, as we saw against UCLA, USC, Stanford … just about everyone who beat Cal down the stretch forced Longshore to make bad decisions/throws in the second half. His ankle was a factor, but it wasn’t the factor. And it’s not like he’s going to get more mobile in the next nine months. But because Tedford stuck with Longshore in November and kept Riley on the bench, the Bears are faced with what could be a very serious problem:
Their choice at the most important position is a somewhat-accurate, easily-disruptable, injury-prone, immobile senior … or a sophomore with virtually no experience. So if Longshore can’t get it done, or gets hurt, then the Bears will basically be starting all over with a rookie QB. And they’ll be doing it with (probably) a rebuilt receiving corps and (possibly) Montgomery, not Best, at tailback. (I haven’t even addressed to prospect of Alex Mack bolting for the pros.) Let’s just say, the defense had better be ready to play.
The 2008 schedule:
Aug. 30 - Michigan State
Sept. 6 - at Washington State
Sept. 13 - at Maryland
Sept. 27 - Colorado State
Oct. 4 - Arizona State
Oct. 11 - Washington
Oct. 18 - at Arizona
Oct. 25 - UCLA
Nov. 1 - Oregon
Nov. 8 - at USC
Nov. 15 - at Oregon State
Nov. 22 - Stanford
2 comments:
Tedford needs a fresh start on the defensive side of the football and that will only happen if Bob Gregory goes to WSU.
Worrell Williams seems a half step late on many plays and I wonder of that is because Gregory had Worrell playing to deep.
Gregory likes a bend but don't break defense...Cal's defense is busted of the hinges thanks to Greogory's dumb @$$.
I want to see kevin riley back in at quaterback because to me it seems like that boy loves football and just wants to win and will do anything it takes to win.. and yes i know how dumb of a mistake he made but we couldnt of even got in that position if it wasn't for him.. plus he had 294 yards 2 touchdowns a rushing touchdown 9which nate will ever be able to do except a qb sneak on the half yard line) and he had 1 interception.. Nate needs to be a little bit more serious also i believe.. I mean its good to be realxed when your playing in a huge game and make jokes here and there., Like i believe when he was like that at tennesse it was great and he made smart throws and oregon he looked like a professional quaterback by making pretty good readsand getting the ball to desean to make plays.. but when it comes down to games like washington and standford stop acting like its a big joke and get serious like you were when you played oregon and just play football for the love of the game..i think cal should go to a 3-4 defense because we have three great natural outside linebackers that are always moving different positions it seems so i say add eddie young to the mix becuase he's abig guy that gets his fair share amount of tackles on special teams and he looks like he really wants it. so maybe keep worrell and felder on the outside and follet and young on the inside.. but this offseason lets get rulon davis in shape and healthy because that boy can play football, he always creates big plays in every game he's played in.. then lets get tyson alaula faster and get better technique and then rotate cody jones and derrick hill at down tackle because to me it looks like they can play.. and last thing.. next season cal should take every game as if there the underdogs and fight for their lives and play the whole 60 mintues of the game...
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