By Jonathan Okanes
The tree-sitters may be gone, but some things about this spring practice feel very similar to last year at Cal. First and foremost, coach Jeff Tedford is in search of a quarterback. While the battle between Kevin Riley, Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney may not be the sexy story line that existed when Riley was competing against Nate Longshore, the bottom line is the Bears desperately need to find more consistent quarterback play next season. Spring practice, which begins today, will be the first step in resolving that search. The quarterback competition headlines the list of the top five issues facing the Bears this spring.
1. A job for the taking: Tedford has stressed that the quarterback competition is wide open. He professed the same message last spring, but the dynamic was much different. Last year, Tedford felt confident that either Longshore or Riley would give the Bears a chance to be successful. That didn't turn out to be the case. There is a sense this spring that the slate has been wiped clean, almost as though the Bears are starting over at the position. Although Riley started nine games last year, he threw for just 123.6 yards per game. He lost his starting job to Longshore for the season-ending Emerald Bowl. Mansion threw six passes as a redshirt freshman last season and has yet to take a meaningful college snap. Sweeney was the scout team quarterback last year. Tedford has gushed about each's development and grasp of the offense. Still, all Riley has to do is show some incremental improvement and it would seem he would set himself up to be the front-runner for the job in the fall.
2. Lining up the linebackers: With Zack Follett, Worrell Williams and Anthony Felder moving on, the Bears not only lost a wealth of experience and talent, but the heart and soul of the team. The trio was a huge reason for Cal's vastly improved defense in the new 3-4 alignment, and replacing them will be paramount. The good news for the Bears is that they have several talented, albeit inexperienced, linebackers waiting for a chance. Mike Mohamed, who didn't start last season but ended up playing more than anyone, should anchor the unit. Eddie Young returns on the outside as well. After that, Devin Bishop, Mychal Kendricks and D.J. Holt will be vying for playing time.
3. Catch the ball: The Bears' passing attack ranked just 83rd nationally last season, and there were a variety of reasons why. What's indisputable is their wide receivers have to get better. Nyan Boateng, whose status for the spring is unclear because of a groin injury, led Cal wide receivers with just 29 catches. Three of the Bears' top five pass-catchers were not wide receivers. This shouldn't be a total surprise. All of the receivers who saw significant playing time were playing their first full season of Division I football. What remains to be seen is what will change now that they have a year in the rear view mirror. Boateng, Jeremy Ross and Verran Tucker all flashed potential, and spring practice will be vital to their path of improvement. But the spring also will give the coaching staff a better look at younger receivers such as Marvin Jones, Alex Lagemann and Charles Satchell.
4. No more Mack attack: New offensive line coach Steve Marshall won't have the luxury of building his line around All-America center Alex Mack, who is off to the NFL. But there still is depth along the line of scrimmage. The issue will be sorting out all the pieces. Chris Guarnero, who started at guard last season before suffering a season-ending toe injury, is a more natural center and is the leading candidate to replace Mack. The Bears appear to be set at tackle with returning starters Mitchell Schwartz and Mike Tepper (who was granted a sixth year of eligibility). The most competition this spring will be at guard, with Mark Boskovich, Justin Cheadle, Matt Summers-Gavin and Donovan Edwards possibly all making a push.
5. Who has a big foot?: The kicking game was a problem last season, especially on kickoffs. Walk-on Giorgio Tavecchio was serviceable, but the coaches still want to get a good look at David Seawright, who was bothered by a groin injury. Whoever wins the job out of spring will have to contend with incoming freshman Vince D'Amato in the fall.
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