San Francisco Chronicle: Cal football thinking big for next season

By Rusty Simmons

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Cal coach Jeff Tedford had every excuse to cop out, having lost nearly half of the starting lineup from a team that went 7-6 in 2007.  Instead of labeling 2008 a "rebuilding year," however, Tedford led his squad through a quarterback quagmire to win the games it was supposed to and possibly a spot in the Top 25 in the final polls. Despite an inconsistent passing game, an injury-plagued offensive line and a revamped defense, the Bears beat their rival, avenged an embarrassing loss to Washington in authoritative fashion, finished 9-4 and have high hopes for the future. "It's not easy to win nine games," Tedford said. "I know we'll continue to come back and work hard for next season, but for these guys to go out with nine wins, I think it's something they can really be proud of." And it's something on which Cal can build. The Bears lose only six starters, and the replacements at five of the spots are obvious. "We are looking for a national championship," sophomore tailback Jahvid Best said in the post-Emerald Bowl excitement.  Best's quote is similar to that of DeSean Jackson after a Holiday Bowl win in 2006 and Brandon Mebane after a Las Vegas Bowl victory in 2005, but Best may have a more valid argument. Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory turned last season's scapegoat into the team's backbone by switching the unit to a 3-4 alignment in the offseason. The defense allowed 315.2 yards of total offense a game, the school's lowest total since 1994, and intercepted 24 passes, the best mark since 1948.

The next defense has the chance to be just as good. The unit loses 700 career tackles from linebackers Anthony Felder, Zack Follett and Worrell Williams, but it returns six guys who got a lot of playing time at linebacker, including one who's on the verge of stardom. Sophomore Mike Mohamed finished second on the team with 87 tackles and had three interceptions. Freshman Mychal Kendricks is so talented that Cal couldn't redshirt him, but he might not be good enough to break the starting foursome next year. The starting defensive line is back, including all-Pac-10 end Tyson Alualu and big-play-waiting-to-happen Cameron Jordan. Alualu had 62 tackles, a ridiculous number for a lineman, and Jordan showed signs of being a guy who will draw consistent double teams. The entire secondary returns, including four guys with at least three interceptions, and a redshirt class that defensive back coach Al Simmons says will push the starters. As the season neared its conclusion, opposing coaches pondered how to pass against the Bears, because corners Syd'Quan Thompson and Darian Hagan had become so dominant. "Obviously, both of us want to make the most plays, and that keeps us going and makes us good as a duo," Thompson said. Any conversation about the offense starts with Best, who after back-to-back losses to USC and Oregon State, carried his team. He ran for 698 yards and nine touchdowns, and averaged 12 yards a carry over the final three games - all wins. The offense is losing part of what makes it click in center Alex Mack and right guard Noris Malele, but it also returns six linemen who started at least one game and could return seven, if tackle Mike Tepper is granted a sixth year by the NCAA.

Redshirt freshman Mitchell Schwartz is the best of the bunch, being moved to the money position of left tackle after only three starts and getting the rave review of being "brilliant" by the "Academic Heisman" winner, Mack. Chris Guarnero, who got a game ball in one of his three starts before season-ending toe surgery, will succeed Mack, and as many as three tackles with at least five career starts will be competing for one position. The biggest loss on offense could be fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou, who was the lead blocker for two of the best rushing seasons in Cal history. Brian Holley and John Tyndall will get the first shot at the position, but College of the Canyons transfer Sean Quinn could take over. Also, we could see more two tight-end sets since Best's three-game tear to end the season came at the same time the Bears started getting tight end Tad Smith on the field with Cameron Morrah more often. "Look at all of the positions that you think are filled. There was a time when someone stepped up at those positions, too," redshirt freshman tailback Shane Vereen said. "These guys will do the same." The quarterback thing is a little trickier. Sophomore Kevin Riley couldn't hold the spot, and senior Nate Longshore couldn't find the magic he had in 2006. Riley went from being the fan favorite to fall guy. Now, they want redshirt freshman Brock Mansion, who most have never seen attempt a pass. Tedford says the job is open.

"A quarterback is going to lead a team, and it depends on us how far we can go," Riley said. "If we want to take this program to an elite level and compete with USC for the Pac-10, it's on us to make some plays and get this going."

Return of many

Cal will return several top players from 2008 next season, including its top running backs and receivers, top six defensive backs and top four in tackles for loss.