Sunday, March 15, 2009

Contra Costa Times: Cal quarterbacks to square off in practice

By Jonathan Okanes

Link.

Cal opened spring practice Saturday, but the much-anticipated quarterback competition won't begin in earnest until today. Incumbent Kevin Riley missed the first day to be a groomsman in his brother's wedding. Coach Jeff Tedford said Riley will be at practice today. That left the majority of reps to Riley's challengers — Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney — along with walk-on Ryan Werternberger. Mansion and Sweeney both experienced highs and lows on the first day, something Tedford fully expected. "We could be sharper," Tedford said. "They've been working hard. They've been throwing the ball all through the winter conditioning. They've worked hard to this point." Riley started nine games last season but was inconsistent, throwing for just 123.6 yards per game. He twice lost his starting job to Nate Longshore, including for the season-ending Emerald Bowl.  Despite the fact that Riley is the only quarterback on the roster who has taken a meaningful college snap, Tedford has declared the quarterback position wide-open. Both Mansion and Sweeney came to Cal as highly recruited players, and Tedford is excited to see their progress. Mansion was the third-string quarterback last season and threw six passes, all in garbage time. Sweeney was the scout team quarterback. Tedford said all three quarterbacks will get equal reps through the spring.

"I'm pretty excited," Mansion said. "This is a good opportunity for me. If I can just be consistent and show the coaches that I can move the offense up and down the field, I think I can play on Saturdays. I'm pretty pumped about that."  When Tedford declared the quarterback spot open last year, he mentioned Mansion along with Riley and Longshore. But he admitted Mansion probably wasn't a serious candidate because of his inexperience.  Tedford isn't letting Sweeney's inexperience get in the way this year. Although Sweeney spent last season running the opposing team's offenses, he said he paid attention to what his own team's offense was doing as well. Tedford admitted Sweeney's inexperience puts him at the bottom of the pack right now. But he also said that doesn't mean Sweeney will stay there. "Of course, it will put him a little behind on Day 1, but he has all the tools to close that gap very quickly," Tedford said. "Beau is very intelligent. He's a student of the game. He's going to make mistakes, but we feel like he had what it takes to be in the mix." 

Notes: Running back Jahvid Best, who underwent surgery on his foot and elbow last month, attended practice but only stretched with the team and rode an exercise bike on the sideline. Best said his elbow is completely healed and hopes his foot is ready to go by the end of spring practice. Tedford has declared Best out of spring practice, but Best said he's already lobbying for a late return.

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