Longshore, expected to be in a four-way battle for the starting job, looks sharp in practice as he returns from a leg injury
Cal football notebook
BERKELEY -- Cal football coach Jeff Tedford was asked how his sophomore quarterback, Nate Longshore, was faring early during spring practice. "He's doing OK," Tedford responded. "But he's still got a little bit of a limp." Cal has a deep and talented squad coming back for the 2006 season, one that should be ranked high going into the season. The Bears have one of the nation's top tailbacks in Marshawn Lynch, a blossoming star in wide receiver DeSean Jackson and a bevy of other offensive playmakers. They also have a quarterback, ranked No. 1 on the depth chart, who has a limp. That doesn't seem to bother Tedford, who noted that the limp is a habit after more than six months of rehabilitation. "Nate is doing everything," Tedford said. "It's just a matter of him developing trust in it. It's not like he is in pain or anything."
It appeared during this week's practice sessions at Memorial Stadium that Longshore, who had won the starting job before breaking his left fibula in the 2005 opener against Sacramento State, is getting more confident by the minute. He was whipping balls around the field, right on target, in impressive fashion. "Obviously, there is going to be a little rust there from not being behind center," Tedford said. "We will look at his mobility to make sure the injury doesn't have any long-lasting effects." Longshore will be locked in a four-way competition with seniors Steve Levy, who is 2-0 as a starter (Big Game and Las Vegas Bowl), and Joe Ayoob and redshirt freshman Kyle Reed. The competition remains wide open. Tedford said that he will give all four quarterbacks equal snaps throughout camp. Considering that Tedford is tweaking his offense with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar, that's quite a commitment.
Coaching search
Tedford said he will interview three or four prospects next week to fill the vacancy left by defensive backs coach J.D. Williams' move to Washington. Tedford said Williams' departure could have come at a better time, but he didn't expect to have any trouble filling the position quickly. "The good thing about it is that the kids are on spring break next week," Tedford said. Besides interviewing assistant candidates, Tedford will fly to Gainesville, Fla., to observe Urban Meyer's practices at Florida, and to Morgantown, W.V., to check out Rich Rodriguez's practices at West Virginia. Meyer and Rodriguez both use forms of the spread offense.
Bear facts
Cal offensive tackle Mike Tepper, who missed all of last season after he was run over by a car, crushing his right ankle, is listed as first-string on the depth chart. Tedford said Tepper is moving very well and will practice without any restrictions. "It looks like he really doesn't have any ill effects from his surgery," Tedford said. "We're looking forward to seeing him reach a level that we thought he was going to be at last season." ... Tedford said he has been impressed with junior wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, who struggled a bit toward the end of last season but came into spring ball ready to go. Tedford said Hawkins is paying more attention to detail. ... Although former defensive tackle Chet Teofilo, a sophomore, only has taken snaps at left offensive tackle for a week, Tedford said he has been impressed. "Chet is a very talented guy," Tedford said. "We were able to move him to offensive line because he is a 295-pounder now. He came to us at 245." ... Offensive lineman John Gibson and defensive back Delo Hilton have had to give up football due to chronic injuries. Gibson, who would have been a sophomore this season, was a high school All-American out of St. Mary's High in Stockton, but back problems kept him from breaking into the lineup. Antioch's Hilton came to Cal last season out of Los Medanos College but heel injuries forced him to end his career.
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