SF Chronicle: Open competition for all positions in '08

Rusty Simmons

Texas - Coach Jeff Tedford said Saturday that no position would be safe come spring practice and spoke specifically about the quarterback spot because he was being asked about freshman Brock Mansion, a Dallas native.  "He has a lot of talent and has a bright future," Tedford said. "He'll compete, there's no question about it. He'll have an opportunity compete in the springtime."  Asked to define compete, Tedford said:. "It's going to be wide open to compete for all positions."

Junior Nate Longshore is the two-year incumbent - and would be a three-year starter if not for a broken ankle in the 2005 season-opener - but he's struggled in comparison to his sophomore numbers. Redshirt freshman Kevin Riley has shown promise in practice and in the second half of the Bears' 31-28 loss to Oregon State. Mansion, a 6-foot-5, 225-pounder from Dallas Episcopal High, flashes signs of brilliance on the scout team nearly daily.  "Oh yeah, there's going to be competition (at quarterback)," Tedford said. "Last year, (the young quarterbacks) really hadn't been in our system. Now, there are guys in the system, and they'll all get a chance to play in the springtime."

Though Tedford hadn't said publicly that any position would be open in the spring, he apparently announced the decision to the team after its loss to Stanford in the regular-season finale.   "He said that nothing is set in stone anymore," Mansion said. "It gets my blood going and makes the hair stand up on my arms. (The other quarterbacks) still have a leg up on me, so I'm going to have to have a big spring."

Under construction: During practices, there has been steady construction to TCU's John Justin Athletic Center, which houses the school's football, athletics director and compliance offices and meeting, weight and locker rooms.  Tedford has long coveted improvements to the Bears' antiquated facilities, but Cal's renovation and construction plan has stalled in the courts.  "I'd like to see some of that scaffolding around our place," Tedford said. "That crane is a beautiful sight. The hammers and the drills and the saws and everything else are good sounds.  "It sounds like progress. I'm anxious to hear that at our place."