Daily Cal: Fall Camp, Day 5

Jack Wang

When pads finally came on Wednesday for the first time in this fall, so too started what Cal football coach Jeff Tedford called "real football." Real as in full-on contact, as in no-holds-barred hits.  And if you're talking hits, not too many dole them out better than safety Sean Cattouse. In last September's game at Minnesota, he YouTubed Golden Gopher receiver Eric Decker with a hit that left the now-Denver Bronco struggling to get off the ground. The moment was one of the most memorable last season for a Cal secondary that ranked 111th nationally in pass defense, stumbling far short of its preseason expectations.

The Bears have brought in new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, whose schemes have -- perhaps too often, by now -- been described as "aggressive." While the front seven will be given the most dramatic makeover, the defensive backs look to benefit as well. "It really gave us a clean slate, this new defense," Cattouse said.

Cattouse, who along with senior Chris Conte are expected to start as safeties, described the new coverage schemes as "more complex," filled with more movement, disguising and blitzing. They'll hope it makes up for losing three starting defensive backs, including All-Pac-10 cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson.

Conte also must transition from being the reserve corner he's been most of his college career. "It's been easy," he said of the move. "There's a lot more you have to know. There's a lot more on the mental side, but i think football-wise it's a lot easier. The game slows down for you a lot. It allows you to be more of a football player. I like it a lot more. It's more of a natural fit for me, so I'm enjoying it."

As for facing the top-flight passing games of the Pac-10, they insist they're not worried. "I'm not even thinking (about them)," Cattouse said. " I"m just ready to go ball and whoever we got, we got. I don't even know who's supposed to be who. I could care less." Added Conte: "Man, I don't think anybody's ready for us, really. Nobody's talking about us."

Link to rest of article.

Daily Cal: Fall Camp Day 4

Ed Yevelev    

Cal coach Jeff Tedford said he thought the defensive unit has been playing faster than it did during spring practice, attributing it to increased familiarity with Clancy Pendergast's system. Still, as the Bears put on full pads for the first time on Wednesday, Tedford expects things to open up a bit for the offense. "The defense always has an advantage when you don't have pads on," he said. "There's a lot of things that happen when ... you know that there's no threat of being cut at the line of scrimmage. Tomorrow's going to be real football." One group in particular that may appreciate the shift? The running backs, whose inability to cut yesterday put them at a disadvantage while pass blocking against charging linebackers. "(Right now) we have to take everything up top," sophomore Covaughn Deboskie-Johnson said. "Once the camp goes along, we should be beating them up."

Under Pressure

If there's a game in 2009 that showed the importance of special teams, it was Cal's narrow home win against Arizona. The Bears won the game through timely kicking from Giorgio Tavecchio, while spotty kick-off coverage and a fumbled extra point attempt nearly took it away from them.  It's this sense of urgency that new special teams coordinator Jeff Genyk hopes to instill in the unit.  He has stressed "being able to perform under pressure, when there are 72,000 here, when there's a critical kick-off or PAT or field goal needs to be made in order to win a game."  Towards that end, Genyk has implemented drills where the entire team is effected by the result of special teams execution.  The team's kick-offs, which ranked 98th in the country, are one area where the stakes were raised in the offseason. During spring practices, members of both the offense and defense would form squares on opposite sides of the 10-yard line. The reward for landing kick-offs inside the squares? Less running after practice.

Link to rest of article.

SF Chronicle: Cal Left Tackle Summers-Gavin Injured in Practice

John Crumpacker

Matt Summers-Gavin began Sunday's practice as Cal's starting left tackle. By the end of practice, he was on crutches, a brace covering his right knee. The sophomore from San Francisco injured the knee pulling in a noncontact drill. The extent of the injury was not immediately known. "We'll find out (today)," coach Jeff Tedford said. "We'll get him tested." Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz moved to left tackle for the remainder of practice, with Donovan Edwards taking the spot on the right side.

Defensive back Vachel Samuels injured his left foot in Saturday's practice and will have surgery next week to repair the damage. He'll be out for the season. With a tight hamstring, tailback Shane Vereen was rested for the second day, allowing younger backs to get all the work. Fullback Will Kapp was held out because of a concussion. Zach Maynard, a quarterback who transferred from the University of Buffalo, will be "grayshirted" this season as he completes his academic requirements. He'll enroll in school in the spring. Maynard is the half-brother of Cal freshman wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Daily Cal: Fall Camp Day 3, Part 2

Ed Yevelev

As Cal practiced with shells for the first time on Monday, nowhere was the contact between helmets and pads more palpable than in pass protections drills. In one of the day's most memorable sights, freshman tailback Trajuan Briggs withstood a charging David  Wilkerson and drove the 6-foot-3 linebacker right into the turf.  And then there was 5-foot-7 Isi Sofele - giving up six inches and 30 pounds against Steve Fanua, but trying his best not to give up any ground. The defender ended up getting the better of the match-up, yet Sofele remained upbeat.

"As long as I stopped him, give the quarterback a couple seconds, it's good," Sofele said. Taking punishment from pass-rushers is just another thing for him to weather while trying to leave his mark on the team - this time, at his natural position of running back. With starter Shane Vereen sitting out camp once again, Sofele is one of the players getting more chances to audition for a backup role.

"I have to open up that playbook, focus, keep studying," Sofele said of his responsibilities. "Block, run, catch, do everything."  The last part may as well be Sofele's motto, considering his year-long stint with the Bears.  After starting out last fall camp as a receiver, the Salt Lake City native worked his way onto the kick coverage unit during the season, while touching the ball on a few sweeps and reverses.  In addition to making his case in the backfield this year, Sofele - who clocked a 4.40 40 time in high school - is battling the team's speedsters for a chance to return kicks or punts.  It's competition he seems to relish, considering how long he's been fighting to prove himself.  "It took my my whole life," Sofele said. "Everybody looked at me, ever since I was young like 'oh, that kid can't play, he's too small"

Indeed, those seeing Sofele for the first time on Monday would have stared incredulously at the things he confidently talked about - running between the tackles, musing about the "next level" (read: the pros), even likening himself to Barry Sanders.  "My specialty is to make guys miss," he said. Miss tackles? Certainly. Miss his determination and effort? Unlikely.

Daily Cal: Fall Camp Day 3

Jack Wang

When Matt Summers-Gavin ended Sunday's practice in braces and crutches after a knee injury, it put a few people on edge.  "Anytime you see something like that, you just hold your breath," coach Jeff Tedford said after Monday's practice, the team's first in shells.  Fortunately for the Cal football team, its best offensive lineman will only be out for two weeks after an MRI diagnosed the injury as a bone bruise.  But when he does return to Memorial Stadium for the season opener against UC Davis on, the sophomore won't be returning to the left tackle spot he saw in spring. Instead, junior Mitchell Schwartz will reprise the role he frequented in 2008.  Senior Donovan Edwards is expected to step into right tackle, while the rest of the line is still unsettled. "We got a lot of guys in the mix," Tedford said. "Very competitive to find out who's going to be the top eight guys."

Fresh Catches

Five-star recruit Keenan Allen has been expected to step in right away, and his transition has gone well through the first three days of practice. Running mostly sideline routes on Monday, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound freshman used his length to make grabs over defenders, his movements looking natural and smooth early on in practice.

So much that Tedford has backtracked on his comments in spring that Allen would also see reps in nickel formations; the player tabbed by Rivals.com as the top safety in his class will stick to offense throughout fall camp.  "I've actually talked to the coach about it," Allen said. "First they want me to learn all the receiver stuff, get it down, dominate it, and then they're gonna look at me at the nickel.

Added Tedford: "Keenan's got enough to handle right now."

Read the rest of the article here.

Daily Cal: Fall Camp Day 2

Katie Dowd

Jeff Tedford doesn't exactly have a reputation for being relaxed and carefree, but it's become something of a mission for the ninth-year head coach to lighten up in practice this season.  And, two days into fall camp, it already seems to be working.  "I think at times (the team was) tightening up," quarterback Kevin Riley. "If they messed up, they were going to get yelled at, get chewed out, and they'd be down the rest of practice.  "Now if you mess up, it's like, 'Hey, don't do that. Learn from it. Go on to the next play and learn from it later.'"  According to Riley, when the Bears fell behind in games last season, they tended to force plays and press too hard. This time around, they're working on a team culture of hard work tempered with a larger-than-years-past dose of fun.

"We've got a great group of kids who have worked hard all summer, all spring, and you don't want to push them to where they're not having fun playing football," he said. "(The coaches) learned that from previous experience just by looking at people's faces."

Read the rest of the article here.

Daily Cal: Fall Camp, Day 1

Ed Yevelev    

Cal's first fall practice ended up running over schedule, meaning that interviews with players were cancelled because they would have cut into post-workout activities.  The main reason for the delay was the team's new location for showering and dressing up - located past Memorial Stadium and near Witter Field - as a result of stadium construction.  "To have to go there and then go back, there's a lot of back and forth with it," coach Jeff Tedford said after practice.

"So our timetable is very tight right now. That's why we're sending the players in a hurry up because they have to get up, get treatment, get a shower, get back and eat dinner, and be ready in an hour and 15 minutes for a team meeting."  The rest of the helmets-only session went smoothly and predictably - which, from the standpoint of the Bears' receivers, meant that Marvin Jones was catching everything in his sight.  Whether he was leaping in the air for rainbows from Kevin Riley or tracking down passes over his shoulder, the junior wide-out made every grab seem routine. "Marvin's the same old Marvin," coach Jeff Tedford said after practice. "You know what you're gonna get .. He's very solid. The thing about Marvin, he's a great leader so he's taken these young guys under his wing and spending time with those guys."  As was expected after Signing Day, Keenan Allen was one of those new pass-catchers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A touted high school safety, the 6-foot-3 Allen took all of his reps with the wide receivers during the first practice, showing smooth strides and looking very comfortable catching the football.  "He's a really good looking player,"Tedford said. "He's got great range, he's physical."  Allen also took some time to catch simulated punts from the JUGS football machine.  He was joined at the machine by Bears' four other receiving recruits: Kaelin Clay, Terrance Montgomery, Tevin Carter, and Coleman Emond.

Running back Isi Sofele also fielded the mock kicks, along with defensive backs Josh Hill, Darian Hagan, and Steve Williams.

Read the rest of the article here.

SF Chronicle: Star Recruit Expected to Excel on Both Sides

John Crumpacker

Before he had so much as broken a sweat in his first college football practice, wide receiver Keenan Allen already had his coach's attention.  That's what five-star recruits are supposed to do. In the parlance of high school recruiting, Allen was known as an "athlete," part fish, part fowl and capable of traveling by land as well. Cal coach Jeff Tedford is hoping the freshman from North Carolina will help the Bears on both sides of the ball.

In Cal's first practice of fall camp late Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, Allen wore a white 21 jersey, meaning he was on offense. However, it's likely Allen will also see some time playing in the defensive secondary as a safety or nickel back.

LINK TO REST OF ARTICLE

San Jose Mercury: One day in, Tedford sees reason for optimism

Jonathan Okanes

Cal coach Jeff Tedford got an in-person look at the future of his receiving corps for the first time Saturday and was cautiously optimistic after one day of training camp.  "It was really nice to see those guys run around a little bit," Tedford said after the first practice of the 2010 season. "For a young group, you can tell they have some ability. But it's going to be a process, of course."

There are five receivers in Cal's 2010 recruiting class, and the coaches got to see them for the first time other than on film Saturday. The wide receivers have been in Berkeley working out all summer, but the coaching staff isn't permitted by the NCAA to watch.  Keenan Allen from Greensboro, N.C., one of the nation's top recruits, headlines the group. Long Beach Poly product Kaelin Clay, Pierce College transfer Coleman Edmond and Tevin Carter of Los Angeles all had good first days. Terrance Montgomery, also of Los Angeles, rounds out the group. "It was everything we saw on film," Tedford said. "There's a lot of potential there, but it's a long process. There's going to come a point where there is a little overload mentally. That's mainly what you fight. It's the learning curve to get the new guys in the loop."

LINK TO REST OF ARTICLE

ESPN Pac-10 Blog: Opening Camp for Cal

California opens preseason camp today. Here's a quick look.

Who's back: Eight starters on offense, six on defense and both specialists.

Big names: RB Shane Vereen, LB Mike Mohamed, DE Cameron Jordan, P Bryan Anger

What's new: Bob Gregory, who had been Jeff Tedford's defensive coordinator since 2002, left for Boise State, and NFL veteran Clancy Pendergast replaced him. Pendergast is expected to bring a more aggressive approach that emphasizes pressure on the quarterback. Also, Jeff Genyk replaced Pete Alamar as special teams coach. Genyk will also coach tight ends.

Key competition: Three spots in the secondary beside safety Sean Cattouse are wide open, though Bryant Nnabuife and Darian Hagan are listed first at the corners and Chris Conte is No. 1 at safety. Things also are unclear at outside linebacker, left offensive guard and a pecking order at tailback behind Vereen must be established. Will any young receivers step up?

Breaking out: Is Marvin Jones ready to become a go-to receivers? And will touted freshman receiver Keenan Allen make an immediate impact and perhaps also play in the secondary? Kendrick Payne and Deandre Coleman figure to provide some quality depth on what could be a very good defensive line.

Quote: Tedford on quarterback Kevin Riley: "We are going to have great competition at the quarterback position, but Kevin is the guy who takes the first snaps. Kevin is the active leader in the Pac-10 in wins, touchdown passes and starts. We are really hoping that his experience will really help us and translate to more success on the football field. The team has a lot of confidence in him. He has worked very, very hard and he feels that this is his team."

LINK TO REST OF ARTICLE.

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Cal's Tedford Appears Complacent

Excerpt:

What I’m about to tell you is the truth. I pinkie swear.  It was the Bay Area College Football Media Day at a downtown San Francisco hotel — Cal, Stanford, San Jose State. They put Cal coach Jeff Tedford at his own table crammed with reporters. He was at ease. He talked about going to New York and promoting the Pac-10. He even visited the New York Times.  After a while I said, “Jeff, do you have anything to prove?” To which Tedford replied, “No. I don’t look at it that way.”

He didn’t just say “No.” He declared “No.” He blasted “No.” It’s like he was saying, “Me, Jeff Tedford have something to prove? Hell, no.”   All respect to Tedford, who resurrected the Golden Bears’ moribund football program. But everyone has something to prove. Every day he wakes up, President Obama needs to prove he’s an effective president who can deal with our economy and win that war in Afghanistan. Tedford, who earns millions every year, has nothing to prove? He may be the only football coach in America — the only employed person — with nothing left to prove.  When I asked if he has something prove, he could have thought — should have thought — this reporter is raising a tough topic; but he’s giving me a chance to preempt him.

Read the rest here.

SF Chronicle: Tedford Pledges to Make Football Fun for Cal

John Crumpacker

Excerpt:

Here's a news flash from Cal coach Jeff Tedford as he's about to begin his ninth season in Berkeley:

He's going to lighten up in 2010 and have a little fun while coaching the Golden Bears. Who knows, he might even try a little stand-up comedy on the Memorial Stadium field while his team begins practices Saturday. Er, check that.  Not exactly a Mr. Chuckles of the coaching profession, Tedford revealed during a news conference Monday the toll that the 2009 season took on him.

"We need to have some fun. I have to change my attitude, too, and make sure we're having fun," he said. "I tend to stress out. I need to lighten up. I want to make it a priority to make sure to keep that in mind."  With expectations a year ago for an upper-tier team and a Heisman Trophy-worthy player in Jahvid Best, the Bears instead finished 8-5, were routed in three Pac-10 games and lost to Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl, which no one refers to as "the granddaddy of them all."

Read the rest here.

Cal Picked to Finish Seventh in Pac-10

The media that cover the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) picked the Bears to finish seventh in the Pac-10 (not including the two newest additions).

1. Oregon (15) 314

2. USC (12) 311

3. Oregon State (3) 262

4. Stanford (1) 233

5. Arizona (2) 222

6. Washington (1) 209

7. Cal 175

8. UCLA (1) 134

9. Arizona State 81

10. Washington State 39

Fresno Bee: 2011 Fresno State vs. Cal Football Game Still in Works

Link.

Fans waiting for the official announcement of the Fresno State-Cal football game in 2011 must stay patient on this one.  "We've been talking, still been talking," Fresno State athletic director Thomas Boeh said. "No time frame on that one. "We need to get everybody motivated," he added with a chuckle.

Boeh, Cal coach Jeff Tedford and Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour have spoken previously this summer about the proposed neutral site matchup, but no definitive date or agreement has been announced.  Tedford, a former Fresno State quarterback, did not respond to interview requests made through the Cal media relations department; spokesman Herb Benenson said Barbour and the associate athletic director who handles football contracts are out of the office and unavailable for comment.

Fresno State and Cal last played in 2000, when the Bulldogs won 17-3 at Bulldog Stadium. In the teams' other meeting, Fresno State beat Cal 25-24 at Memorial Stadium in 1995.

Chris Martin Transfer to Florida

Max Preps reports that Chris Martin is transferring to Florida.  Read the article here.

New York Times: A New Chapter for the Cubs and U.S.C.

Read the article here.

Top Recruit Chris Martin Transferring From Cal

From the Daily Cal:

Chris Martin, one of the top recruits from Cal's 2010 signing class, has announced his intention to transfer out due to "distractions."  The Oakland native, rated as a five-star defensive end by Rivals.com, and was expected to log significant playing time in the Bears' 3-4 defense - likely converting to outside linebacker.  "My decision to transfer definitely does not reflect on the football program or the academics at Cal," he said in a press release. "Rather, I feel like for me to focus and truly reach my potential I need to leave many of the distractions I have here at home in the Bay Area.  "I need to venture away from home and start my college career somewhere else where I don't have those distractions."  Martin played for three seasons at Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd High School, but spent his senior year at Grandview High in Aurora, Colo. In a Denver Post article last September, he attributed his departure to "bad blood" with the coach, as well as people who "didn't have his best interest in mind" entering his social circle.

He has not yet disclosed which school he will be transferring to.  The 6-foot-5 defensive end had previously committed to Notre Dame, but reneged after former coach Charlie Weis' firing last November. Along with safety/wide receiver Keenan Allen, Martin's commitment signaled the first time in program history that Cal had inked two five-star recruits in the same year. The haul, which also included four-star defensive standouts such Gabe King and Chris McCain, buoyed Cal's class to No. 11 in the nation.

 

Blogger note: Good riddance to the little prima donna. 

Online Sports Handicapping Prediction: Cal Finishes Outside of Top 25 and plays in Small Tier Bowl

Here’s the article.

 

Excerpt:

Without a proven passing game the offense could struggle with balance. RB Shane Vereen is a stud that will be running behind a veteran O-line but QB Kevin Riley has been wildly inconsistent. Kevin did improve last season and is one of the better QB’s in college football but when he played bad he played really bad. Riley has a legit game-breaker in WR Marvin Jones but the rest of the wideouts are mediocre. This is decent offense but it will struggle against the better defenses of the NCAA.

Whiteside May Not Be Academically Eligible

AP Writes:  Heralded recruit Cecil Whiteside has yet to report to Cal for summer activities, and his eligibility for this football season is uncertain.  Whiteside, ranked as the No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the country by rivals.com, has been touted as someone who would compete for immediate playing time.  Bears coach Jeff Tedford said Whiteside is "tending to some academic issues" back home in Newport Beach.  All of Cal's incoming players were required to report to Berkeley on June 25 for the Summer Bridge program, which prepares incoming students for their academic workload. The freshmen and transfers also begin working out informally with their new teammates. But Whiteside has yet to be cleared to play by the NCAA.

 

The Contra Costa Times writes:  Heralded recruit Cecil Whiteside has yet to report to Cal for summer activities, and his eligibility for the upcoming season is uncertain. Bears coach Jeff Tedford said Whiteside is "tending to some academic issues" and is back home in Newport Beach. All of Cal's incoming players were required to report to Berkelely on June 25 for the Summer Bridge program, which prepares incoming students for their academic workload. The freshmen and transfers also begin working out informally with their new teammates. But Whiteside has yet to be cleared to play by the NCAA, and there is a chance he won't be in time for the 2010 season. It would be a significant blow to lose Whiteside, who was ranked as the No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the country by rivals.com and was expected to compete for immediate playing time. Cal begins training camp Aug. 7.  Note: Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Charles Ragland is transferring to College of San Mateo to improve his academic standing. He's expected to return to Cal in the spring.

Kyle Boller to Wed Carrie Prejean on Friday

From the Dallas News:
Carrie Prejean, the deposed Miss California USA, and Kyle Boller, quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, are getting married Friday at the Grand Del Mar resort in San Diego. They've been engaged since February. Prejean, once a daily talking point for the media, has been lying low since releasing her memoir, Still Standing, in November 2009. That capped a year in which she got fired by the pageant, sued, then settled when her indiscreet videotape was exposed.