Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
USC Spanks Cal 30-9
Zach Maynard threw three interceptions and fumbled the ball once in a bitch-slapping by USC at AT&T park. His half-brother got in on the action, fumbling once as well. Tedford insightfully noted "We just turned the ball over too much."
Another fun quote: "The fact he really telegraphed every ball he was going to throw made it easy," said USC linebacker Chris Galippo, who picked off one of Maynard's passes. "When a quarterback stares down his targets like that, you just follow his eyes."
Prior to quitting the University of Buffalo team, Maynard had 18 TDs and 15 interceptions.
WTF? Since Aaron Rodgers left, Cal has had a long line of mediocre QBS, called the "Cal quarterback malaise" by CBSsports.com writer Dennis Dodd:
Joseph Ayoob
Steve Levy
Nate Longshore
Kevin Riley
Brock Mansion
And now we have Zach Maynard. He looked erratic at the first few games, and while he can run, he's no Michael Vick. He doesn't play smart and he's just not that good. The malaise continues.
Another fun quote: "The fact he really telegraphed every ball he was going to throw made it easy," said USC linebacker Chris Galippo, who picked off one of Maynard's passes. "When a quarterback stares down his targets like that, you just follow his eyes."
Prior to quitting the University of Buffalo team, Maynard had 18 TDs and 15 interceptions.
WTF? Since Aaron Rodgers left, Cal has had a long line of mediocre QBS, called the "Cal quarterback malaise" by CBSsports.com writer Dennis Dodd:
Joseph Ayoob
Steve Levy
Nate Longshore
Kevin Riley
Brock Mansion
And now we have Zach Maynard. He looked erratic at the first few games, and while he can run, he's no Michael Vick. He doesn't play smart and he's just not that good. The malaise continues.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wall Street Journal: Cal is the Second Most Overrated Team in Past Decade
Today's Wall Street Journal had an article analyzing which college football teams are most notorious for failing to live up to preseason hype, based on the highest dropoff in points from the preseason poll to the final poll. Florida State was #1:
"Since 2001, the Seminoles have been overrated more than any other major program based on the change between how many votes they get in the preseason Associated Press poll and the final one (including this season). Over this span, the Seminoles have finished with 60.4% fewer points in the poll than they began with. That's the largest decline of any team with at least five preseason-poll appearances over this span.
California has the second-biggest drop-off (-47.7%), which is owed to the Golden Bears' repeated failures in the mid-2000s."
"Since 2001, the Seminoles have been overrated more than any other major program based on the change between how many votes they get in the preseason Associated Press poll and the final one (including this season). Over this span, the Seminoles have finished with 60.4% fewer points in the poll than they began with. That's the largest decline of any team with at least five preseason-poll appearances over this span.
California has the second-biggest drop-off (-47.7%), which is owed to the Golden Bears' repeated failures in the mid-2000s."
Friday, October 07, 2011
Blueprint on How to Beat Oregon
The collapse of the Cal defensive line in the second half last night shouldn't have been a surprise to the coaching staff. Oregon runs a play every 20 seconds, designed to wear down the defensive linemen. LSU recognized this a year ago and began preparing for this season's game against Oregon. Today's Wall Street Journal provided a detailed glimpse on how LSU's coaching staff addressed this threat:
By Scott Cacciola
LSU has earned the country's No. 1 ranking in college football largely through the strength of its defense, which has treated opponents like piñatas this season, holding them to a sniveling two yards per rushing attempt. As LSU puts its unbeaten record on the line against No. 17 Florida this weekend, this unit is inviting comparisons to some of the all-time greats.But if you have any preconceptions about how a great Southeastern Conference defense gets made, you might want to set them aside. For one thing, this team's starting linemen and linebackers are rather small by the overfed standards of the SEC—they're about 20 pounds lighter, on average, than their equivalents at Alabama. But what really makes this defense unusual is the force that drove its development. It was built on fear—the fear of Oregon.
In September 2010, after LSU agreed to open the 2011 season against the Ducks, head coach Les Miles began to scheme—and sweat. Renowned for its up-tempo, spread-the-field offense and its flair for innovation, Oregon was a game-planning nightmare. (The only team to beat the Ducks last year was Auburn, which had six weeks to plot.) "You can't prepare for an uptempo style of play in one week," former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "You can't do it in two weeks. It takes six weeks, minimum. If you can spend nine months on it, even better."
Miles and his staff recognized that losing to a PlayStation offense from the Pac-12 would be a tricky way to launch a season. But unlike many teams that have struggled to prepare for Oregon, LSU had a head start.
(For copyright reasons I can't include the entire article, but you hopefully can read the rest via this link).
By Scott Cacciola
LSU has earned the country's No. 1 ranking in college football largely through the strength of its defense, which has treated opponents like piñatas this season, holding them to a sniveling two yards per rushing attempt. As LSU puts its unbeaten record on the line against No. 17 Florida this weekend, this unit is inviting comparisons to some of the all-time greats.But if you have any preconceptions about how a great Southeastern Conference defense gets made, you might want to set them aside. For one thing, this team's starting linemen and linebackers are rather small by the overfed standards of the SEC—they're about 20 pounds lighter, on average, than their equivalents at Alabama. But what really makes this defense unusual is the force that drove its development. It was built on fear—the fear of Oregon.
In September 2010, after LSU agreed to open the 2011 season against the Ducks, head coach Les Miles began to scheme—and sweat. Renowned for its up-tempo, spread-the-field offense and its flair for innovation, Oregon was a game-planning nightmare. (The only team to beat the Ducks last year was Auburn, which had six weeks to plot.) "You can't prepare for an uptempo style of play in one week," former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "You can't do it in two weeks. It takes six weeks, minimum. If you can spend nine months on it, even better."
Miles and his staff recognized that losing to a PlayStation offense from the Pac-12 would be a tricky way to launch a season. But unlike many teams that have struggled to prepare for Oregon, LSU had a head start.
(For copyright reasons I can't include the entire article, but you hopefully can read the rest via this link).
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Tedford Spotted in Galt
Jeff Tedford was at the Cosumnes Oaks vs. Galt game on Friday night. Good to see he's spending his bye week on the recruitment trail.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
SF Chronicle: Cal Has 2 Former Colorado Asst Coaches on Staff
John Crumpacker
When Cal assistant coach Ashley Ambrose was talking about the importance of striking first and gaining an early advantage against Colorado on Saturday in Boulder, it sounded like so much meaningless coaching palaver.
But wade through the coach-speak and you'll find kernels of truth. Cal leads Colorado 3-2 in a series in which the team that scored first has won all five games. Furthermore, the losing team never had a lead in those games. "We've got to hit them in the mouth and get the fans out of the game," Ambrose said after practice Tuesday. "It's going to be hostile for us."
Link to rest of article.
When Cal assistant coach Ashley Ambrose was talking about the importance of striking first and gaining an early advantage against Colorado on Saturday in Boulder, it sounded like so much meaningless coaching palaver.
But wade through the coach-speak and you'll find kernels of truth. Cal leads Colorado 3-2 in a series in which the team that scored first has won all five games. Furthermore, the losing team never had a lead in those games. "We've got to hit them in the mouth and get the fans out of the game," Ambrose said after practice Tuesday. "It's going to be hostile for us."
Link to rest of article.
Kyle Boller Beats Out Trent Edwards for #2 Quarterback Position with Raiders
The Raiders released Trent Edwards, with Kyle Boller currently backing up Jason Campbell. Link.
On a happy note, JaMarcus Russell just paid off $200,000 owed to the State of California for taxes. His Oakland home is about to be auctioned off, however.
On a happy note, JaMarcus Russell just paid off $200,000 owed to the State of California for taxes. His Oakland home is about to be auctioned off, however.
Former Cal Bear Tracy Slocum Arrested for Pimping
From the San Jose Mercury News:
A former high school football star from Fresno who played with little acclaim at Cal is being held without bail in Santa Clara County Jail on charges of domestic violence, sexual assault and pimping. San Jose police gave few details about Tracy Slocum Jr., 23, who was arrested Friday in Fresno by federal marshals and Fresno police and then brought to San Jose. The arrest followed a month-long, multi-jurisdictional investigation, according to San Jose Police Officer Jose Garcia. Investigators suspect Slocum was a pimp in several cities over the last few months, he said.
Garcia said officers believe there may be victims in the case who have not yet come forward. After a stellar football career at Clovis East High School in Fresno, Slocum was heavily recruited by a number of top schools but decided on UC Berkeley. He spent three years at Cal but didn't play much. He then took a year off before joining the Fresno State Bulldogs as a walk-on. Slocum told a Fresno TV station last year that he saw his senior year as a Bulldog as a second chance after his tenure at Cal "didn't work out." "It's a great opportunity" he said. "That's why I'm here."
A former high school football star from Fresno who played with little acclaim at Cal is being held without bail in Santa Clara County Jail on charges of domestic violence, sexual assault and pimping. San Jose police gave few details about Tracy Slocum Jr., 23, who was arrested Friday in Fresno by federal marshals and Fresno police and then brought to San Jose. The arrest followed a month-long, multi-jurisdictional investigation, according to San Jose Police Officer Jose Garcia. Investigators suspect Slocum was a pimp in several cities over the last few months, he said.
Garcia said officers believe there may be victims in the case who have not yet come forward. After a stellar football career at Clovis East High School in Fresno, Slocum was heavily recruited by a number of top schools but decided on UC Berkeley. He spent three years at Cal but didn't play much. He then took a year off before joining the Fresno State Bulldogs as a walk-on. Slocum told a Fresno TV station last year that he saw his senior year as a Bulldog as a second chance after his tenure at Cal "didn't work out." "It's a great opportunity" he said. "That's why I'm here."
Denver Post: Colorado's Coach Looks Back at Last Year's Thrashing by Bears
Link.
CU coach Jon Embree, at a Tuesday news conference in Boulder, looked back at the beating the Buffs took at Cal in 2010. Embree spent much of the off season examining the Cal loss. Of all the ineptitude, what stood out the most? “Lack of effort,” Embree said. “I don’t think we competed very well last year. I felt like we just kind of were hoping and waiting for the clock to run out so we could get off the field.”
Added senior nose tackle Conrad Obi, a backup last year: “I thought the effort was there. I didn’t think we executed. At all. All the things we wanted to do we didn’t do.”
CU coach Jon Embree, at a Tuesday news conference in Boulder, looked back at the beating the Buffs took at Cal in 2010. Embree spent much of the off season examining the Cal loss. Of all the ineptitude, what stood out the most? “Lack of effort,” Embree said. “I don’t think we competed very well last year. I felt like we just kind of were hoping and waiting for the clock to run out so we could get off the field.”
Added senior nose tackle Conrad Obi, a backup last year: “I thought the effort was there. I didn’t think we executed. At all. All the things we wanted to do we didn’t do.”
Contra Costa Times: Cal Must Prove it Can Win on the Road
Monte Poole
No fan base in America could urge an athletic director to fire a college football coach whose team played its entire schedule on the road. Cal folks wouldn't dare.
No A.D. would be irrational enough to dump a coach before allowing him to coach in the marvelous new facility built with the momentum he generated. Cal's Sandy Barbour won't even consider it.
Not that she should.
To the delight of most but the dismay of some, Jeff Tedford gets a pass this season. The Golden Bears cannot go winless, so the coach's job is safe in every realistic scenario.
That's not to suggest Tedford can spend 2011 coasting on those successive top-25 finishes accumulated from 2004 through 2006. To the contrary, this season provides ideal circumstances under which he can begin repolishing a reputation that once shined brightly enough to attract glances from NFL executives.
Tedford, 49, can reaffirm his initial identity as a football professor in Berkeley. Or he can confirm his recent status as a coach whose well of innovative solutions is not as deep as once thought.
Link to rest of article.
No fan base in America could urge an athletic director to fire a college football coach whose team played its entire schedule on the road. Cal folks wouldn't dare.
No A.D. would be irrational enough to dump a coach before allowing him to coach in the marvelous new facility built with the momentum he generated. Cal's Sandy Barbour won't even consider it.
Not that she should.
To the delight of most but the dismay of some, Jeff Tedford gets a pass this season. The Golden Bears cannot go winless, so the coach's job is safe in every realistic scenario.
That's not to suggest Tedford can spend 2011 coasting on those successive top-25 finishes accumulated from 2004 through 2006. To the contrary, this season provides ideal circumstances under which he can begin repolishing a reputation that once shined brightly enough to attract glances from NFL executives.
Tedford, 49, can reaffirm his initial identity as a football professor in Berkeley. Or he can confirm his recent status as a coach whose well of innovative solutions is not as deep as once thought.
Link to rest of article.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
San Jose Mercury: Notes from Media Day
Jeff Tedford was the first coach on the stage in the formal interview session and wasted no time addressing the disappointing 2010 season:
“We have created a standard and expectation at Cal over the last nine years. Last season, we fell short of that, and we’re not hiding from that.
“We understand there’s a very fine line between winning and losing, and we were six points away from being 8-4.”
Link to rest of article.
“We have created a standard and expectation at Cal over the last nine years. Last season, we fell short of that, and we’re not hiding from that.
“We understand there’s a very fine line between winning and losing, and we were six points away from being 8-4.”
Link to rest of article.
ESPN: Tedford to be More Involved in Offense
Ivan Maisel
In 2004, the Cal Bears averaged 492 yards of total offense and 36.8 points as they went 10-2. After that season, head coach Jeff Tedford began to delegate calling plays. They have never been as prolific again. This season, Tedford is going to return to his play chart. He said the offensive coaches will make calls as a staff. But he sounds as if he will immerse himself in the chess game for the first time in seven years.
Looking back, Tedford said Thursday in Bristol on the ESPNU College Football Podcast, “I really tried to take a different approach and have a better feel and pulse on the team as a whole. I tried to back out of that a little bit and delegate and let the offensive guys do that. I would call a play here and there.”
“There were a couple of years that I dabbled in, calling some and not calling some. And then I felt like that was unfair for the playcaller who was trying to set something up and I’d jump in at the last second and call something where he probably had something already to go.” His biggest challenge will be to remain engaged in the game when he isn’t calling plays.
Link to rest of article.
In 2004, the Cal Bears averaged 492 yards of total offense and 36.8 points as they went 10-2. After that season, head coach Jeff Tedford began to delegate calling plays. They have never been as prolific again. This season, Tedford is going to return to his play chart. He said the offensive coaches will make calls as a staff. But he sounds as if he will immerse himself in the chess game for the first time in seven years.
Looking back, Tedford said Thursday in Bristol on the ESPNU College Football Podcast, “I really tried to take a different approach and have a better feel and pulse on the team as a whole. I tried to back out of that a little bit and delegate and let the offensive guys do that. I would call a play here and there.”
“There were a couple of years that I dabbled in, calling some and not calling some. And then I felt like that was unfair for the playcaller who was trying to set something up and I’d jump in at the last second and call something where he probably had something already to go.” His biggest challenge will be to remain engaged in the game when he isn’t calling plays.
Link to rest of article.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Beau Sweeney Transfering From Cal
The Contra Costa Times reports that Beau Sweeney has been released from his scholarship and is transferring from Cal.
Sweeney, a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility left, has been granted a release from his scholarship. Tedford said He's interested in transferring to a Football Championship Subdivision program so he doesn't have to sit out this season.
"He's a backup here and wants a chance to play. He's a great kid. We wish him all the best," Tedford said.
Sweeney was one of six quarterbacks vying for the starting job in spring camp but didn't make the cut when Tedford narrowed that competition to the top three. He spent most of the 2009 season and part of 2010 as the Bears' No. 2 quarterback but was dropped to the No. 3 spot about halfway through last season.
Sweeney, a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility left, has been granted a release from his scholarship. Tedford said He's interested in transferring to a Football Championship Subdivision program so he doesn't have to sit out this season.
"He's a backup here and wants a chance to play. He's a great kid. We wish him all the best," Tedford said.
Sweeney was one of six quarterbacks vying for the starting job in spring camp but didn't make the cut when Tedford narrowed that competition to the top three. He spent most of the 2009 season and part of 2010 as the Bears' No. 2 quarterback but was dropped to the No. 3 spot about halfway through last season.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Cal Baseball Reinstated
From the University:
The University of California, Berkeley, baseball program will continue to represent the campus as an Intercollegiate Athletics sport, now and into the future, as the result of a successful and ongoing fundraising effort on the part of alumni, former players, parents of current players and other team supporters, campus officials said today. After a significant increase in philanthropic pledges in the last few days, commitments totaling $9 million were presented to Chancellor Robert Birgeneau yesterday by Stu Gordon, a former Golden Bear pitcher and leader of the fundraising effort. In light of the fact that the funds raised remain about 10 percent short of the previously identified $10 million goal, donors and the campus administration have agreed that the team’s formal reinstatement will be announced once the $10 million target is met through continued fundraising.
Birgeneau said he is encouraged by and appreciative of the tremendous outpouring of support for the continuation of varsity baseball at UC Berkeley. “The baseball team’s preservation is yet another example of how our alumni are stepping up to support their alma mater during a time of unprecedented financial challenges,” he said. “I am grateful, on behalf of the campus community, for what our alumni and supporters have accomplished, and pleased that Cal baseball will continue to represent the university in intercollegiate competition. Most especially, I want to thank Stu Gordon for his inspired leadership of this fundraising effort. It would not have happened without him. I have faith in the community’s ability not only to meet, but to exceed, the $10 million target in the near future.”
Link to rest of press release.
The University of California, Berkeley, baseball program will continue to represent the campus as an Intercollegiate Athletics sport, now and into the future, as the result of a successful and ongoing fundraising effort on the part of alumni, former players, parents of current players and other team supporters, campus officials said today. After a significant increase in philanthropic pledges in the last few days, commitments totaling $9 million were presented to Chancellor Robert Birgeneau yesterday by Stu Gordon, a former Golden Bear pitcher and leader of the fundraising effort. In light of the fact that the funds raised remain about 10 percent short of the previously identified $10 million goal, donors and the campus administration have agreed that the team’s formal reinstatement will be announced once the $10 million target is met through continued fundraising.
Birgeneau said he is encouraged by and appreciative of the tremendous outpouring of support for the continuation of varsity baseball at UC Berkeley. “The baseball team’s preservation is yet another example of how our alumni are stepping up to support their alma mater during a time of unprecedented financial challenges,” he said. “I am grateful, on behalf of the campus community, for what our alumni and supporters have accomplished, and pleased that Cal baseball will continue to represent the university in intercollegiate competition. Most especially, I want to thank Stu Gordon for his inspired leadership of this fundraising effort. It would not have happened without him. I have faith in the community’s ability not only to meet, but to exceed, the $10 million target in the near future.”
Link to rest of press release.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Cal Football's 2011 Schedule
2011 REGULAR-SEASON CAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Day, Date - Opponent (Time, TV)
Sat., Sept. 3 - Fresno State (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 10 - at Colorado (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 17 - Presbyterian (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 24 - at Washington (TBA)
Thu., Oct. 6 - at Oregon (6 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Thu., Oct. 13 - USC (6 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Sat., Oct. 22 - Utah (TBA)
Sat., Oct. 29 - at UCLA (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 5 - Washington State (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 12 - Oregon State (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 19 - at Stanford (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 26 - at Arizona State (TBA)
Day, Date - Opponent (Time, TV)
Sat., Sept. 3 - Fresno State (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 10 - at Colorado (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 17 - Presbyterian (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 24 - at Washington (TBA)
Thu., Oct. 6 - at Oregon (6 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Thu., Oct. 13 - USC (6 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Sat., Oct. 22 - Utah (TBA)
Sat., Oct. 29 - at UCLA (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 5 - Washington State (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 12 - Oregon State (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 19 - at Stanford (TBA)
Sat., Nov. 26 - at Arizona State (TBA)
Friday, April 01, 2011
Cal Chancellor Says $1 Million More Needed to Reinstate Baseball
Per the Save Cal Baseball Facebook page:
"Remarkably, the Chancellor has not reinstated Cal Baseball today. He said we still need another million dollars before he will do so. Frustration does not begin to explain our sentiment at this time. It took $8 million to reinstate rugby, women’s gymnastics, and women’s lacrosse. We now have over $9 million raised solely for baseball.
We know baseball will be reinstated this year, and without interruption to program, so we must continue to be positive. We’ve raised record funding in a very short period of time and we know we will raise the next $1 million with the same tenacity and determination that we’ve all exhibited thus far."
If you can afford to make a donation, please do so at www.savecalbaseball.com. We are running out of time, as the Pac-12 has a deadline to set schedules for next year. With each delay, Cal baseball loses even more time to recruit for next season. Chancellor Birgeneau is clearly not a fan of college athletics, but let him know what you think by either calling him at 510-642-7464 or emailing him at his official email address, chancellor@berkeley.edu, or his real email address, robertjb@berkeley.edu.
"Remarkably, the Chancellor has not reinstated Cal Baseball today. He said we still need another million dollars before he will do so. Frustration does not begin to explain our sentiment at this time. It took $8 million to reinstate rugby, women’s gymnastics, and women’s lacrosse. We now have over $9 million raised solely for baseball.
We know baseball will be reinstated this year, and without interruption to program, so we must continue to be positive. We’ve raised record funding in a very short period of time and we know we will raise the next $1 million with the same tenacity and determination that we’ve all exhibited thus far."
If you can afford to make a donation, please do so at www.savecalbaseball.com. We are running out of time, as the Pac-12 has a deadline to set schedules for next year. With each delay, Cal baseball loses even more time to recruit for next season. Chancellor Birgeneau is clearly not a fan of college athletics, but let him know what you think by either calling him at 510-642-7464 or emailing him at his official email address, chancellor@berkeley.edu, or his real email address, robertjb@berkeley.edu.
ESPN: Cameron Jordan to Meet with Steelers
ESPN's James Walker is reporting that Cameron Jordan will meet with the Steelers on April 4th. "Jordan recorded 51 tackles and six sacks for the Golden Bears last season. He is considered a mid or late first-round pick. Pittsburgh holds the No. 31 overall selection."
Link to article.
Link to article.
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