James Montgomery is the front-runner to be the top backup runner for Bears
By Jonathan Okanes
Now that Justin Forsett has been elevated to starting running back, it's time for Cal to find the next Justin Forsett. Forsett flourished as a backup to Marshawn Lynch the past two seasons, rushing for 1,625 yards and 10 touchdowns. It's clear that Coach Jeff Tedford doesn't like relying on just one tailback to carry the load, and now the Bears need someone to fill the No. 2 role. "We need depth there, just like we had Marshawn back up J.J. (Arrington) and Justin back up Marshawn," Tedford said. "You need depth. You need to keep (Forsett) fresh. We're not going to pound him. Hopefully, we have the depth that there's not a great drop-off when he comes out." Redshirt freshman James Montgomery is the leading candidate to give Cal that production in a part-time role. Montgomery was considered one of the top running-back prospects in the nation when he came to Berkeley from Rancho Cordova. "Right now, we're all just working hard. We're not really thinking about that," Montgomery said. "It's on my mind, but we're just trying to get everybody better right now. Everything will fall into place. We're competing, but it's not cutthroat. The best guy is going to win the job."
Cal is deep, albeit unproven, at tailback. Tracy Slocum, another redshirt freshman, came to Cal with just as much fanfare as Montgomery, but was hurt during spring practice and fell behind on the depth chart. The Bears also have highly regarded freshmen Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen. "My focus now is trying to find a No. 2 and No. 3 guy to try to take some of the load off (Forsett)," running-backs coach Ron Gould said. "You want guys who can come in and maybe improve when they get in there." Best continued his impressive camp Friday. "He's very, very fast - unbelievably fast," Tedford said. "He's picking things up well. He's doing a good job." One of the big questions at Cal is whether opposing teams will punt to Heisman Trophy candidate DeSean Jackson. There is no doubt, however, that the Bears will throw to him.
Jackson is a consensus All-American at wide receiver, and he also has a strong supporting cast. Robert Jordan caught 43 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns last season and has caught a pass in 30 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak in the nation among returning players. Lavelle Hawkins hauled in 46 passes for 705 yards and five touchdowns in 2006. "DeSean is one of the best players in the country - we know that as well as everybody else," Jordan said. "They're not going to be able to double him. We're too deep." Jordan said the biggest challenge facing the receivers during camp is to maintain the high level they've established for themselves. "Anything less than excellence is a disappointment to us," he said. "We hold ourselves to that." The Bears practiced in full pads for the first time Friday, and will do so again for the next three days. Today, Cal will hold its first double session. "It's more realistic. It's more like football so you see where guys are at and they really go after it," Tedford said. "It's real football. It was great to see them flying around like that." Walk-on tailback Bryan Schutte has quit the team because he lost the passion for football, Tedford said. Highly touted freshman offensive lineman Matt Summers-Gavin is recovering from a concussion after falling the day before camp opened. Montgomery suffered a concussion late in practice, and starting free safety Thomas DeCoud sustained a twinge in his hamstring.
No comments:
Post a Comment