Contra Costa Times: Cal's backup center is now the starting left guard

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BACKUP CENTER BECOMES STARTER AT LEFT GUARD

By Jonathan Okanes

Cal did not want to wait any longer to get Chris Guarnero on the field, so rather than have the redshirt sophomore back up All-America center Alex Mack for another season, the Bears tried him out at guard. Now Guarnero is lining up next to Mack.  Guarnero, a highly recruited prospect from Arvada, Colo., began practicing at guard in the spring. The Bears continued the experiment this summer, and Guarnero has worked his way to the top of the depth chart at left guard.  "This is something we talked about forever. He's Alex Mack's backup," offensive-line coach Jim Michalczik said. "We wanted to make sure we felt good about him at center, then try him at guard. That's kind of been the evolution of it. He started playing a little bit of guard here, a little bit of guard there, until it finally got to the point where he was the best guard."

Guarnero turned down offers from other major programs to attend Cal, but he wasn't going to get much playing time at center until Mack moved on to the NFL. Mack considered going pro after his junior season.

Guarnero still takes reps at center in case he's needed there, but he has proved to be a quick study at guard.  "It's been a good adjustment," Guarnero said. "Alex is a great mentor. My first few years here I just tried to learn from him. He does everything right. He's an All-American and hopefully is going to have a great career in the NFL. I've just tried to learn from him and try to get myself better."

Richard Fisher, who had been the first-team left guard during the spring, now is the second-team center at practice. But if a backup center is needed in a game, Guarnero will get the call, Michalczik said.  "He's competed at guard and taken a major step forward," Coach Jeff Tedford said of Guarnero. "He's always had a great attitude, worked really hard. I'm really happy to see it." Cal's top nose tackles — Mika Kane and Derrick Hill — have sprained ankles, and the Bears are testing 6-foot-4, 325-pound offensive lineman Kevin Bemoll at that position. Bemoll, a redshirt junior, started taking reps at nose tackle only in goal-line situations, but he has been practicing strictly on defense the past few days. "We're doing a little experiment," Tedford said. "We have a lot of guys hurt right now at that position so it's a good time to see what he can do."

Bemoll, who turned down an offer from Ohio State before deciding on Cal in 2005, has yet to play in a game for the Bears. He was suspended last season for violating team rules. The Bears will hold their second and final scrimmage of the spring tonight. Tight end Cameron Morrah and cornerback Chris Conte suffered ankle sprains.