California
Golden Bears
Preview 2009 -
Offense
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2009 California Preview
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2009 Cal Offense
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2009 Cal Defense
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2009 Cal Depth
Chart
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2008 Cal Preview
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2007 Cal Preview
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2006 Cal
Preview
What you need to know:
Andy Ludwig was a late replacement for Frank Cignetti,
keeping the revolving door at offensive coordinator spinning in
Berkeley. Arriving with a long and accomplished resume, he’s
basically being asked to help turn QB Kevin Riley into a more
consistent and dangerous playmaker. That is, of course, if Riley
wins the starting job, which was put up for grabs this spring.
If Ludwig is successful, the Bears are capable of rolling past
last season’s mixed results. Jahvid Best is the Bay Area’s most
dangerous home run hitter since Barry Bonds retired, and the
young receivers are headed in the right direction. Although the
graduation of All-America C Alex Mack cannot be overstated, Cal
has recruited well enough in recent years to endure in the
trenches.
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Returning
Leaders
Passing: Kevin Riley
112-221, 1,360 yds, 14 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Jahvid Best
194 carries, 1,584 yds, 15 TD
Receiving: Nyan Boateng
29 catches, 439 yds, 5 TD
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Star of the
offense: Junior RB Jahvid Best
Player who has to step up and become a star:
Junior QB Kevin Riley
Unsung star on the rise:
Sophomore RT Mitchell Schwartz
Best pro prospect: Best
Top three all-star candidates:
1) Best 2) Senior T Mike
Tepper 3) Schwartz
Strength of the offense:
The backs, big-play ability, run blocking
Weakness of the offense: Passing
efficiency, consistency at receiver
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter:
What would an offseason at Cal be without a quarterback
competition? Although 6-2, 221-pound junior
Kevin Riley is the
presumptive starter, Jeff Tedford won’t officially name his guy
until the summer. Yeah, he’s played plenty of football in
Berkeley over the last two seasons, but he’s also been
inconsistent, which is why this job remains open. While sharing
snaps with Nate Longshore in 2008, he went just 112-of-221 for
1,360 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He completed
just over 50% of his passes and was No. 7 in Pac-10 passing
efficiency. It’s his job to lose, but that’s exactly what’ll
happen if he doesn’t start making a u-turn as a passer.
Projected Top Reserves: Riley’s stiffest competition is
coming from 6-5, 237-pound sophomore
Brock Mansion. By
far the biggest and strongest of the contenders, he can make all
of the throws and is surprisingly nimble for such a super-sized
quarterback. One of the nation’s top dropback recruits of 2006,
he needs more reps to close the gap on the incumbent.
In
the hunt, but playing from behind is 6-2, 226-pound redshirt
freshman Beau Sweeney.
He’s had less time in the system, but has a high football IQ and
comes from a long line of former coaches and quarterbacks. He’s
also a terrific all-around athlete with the ability to complete
passes on the move and escape hard-charging defenders.
Watch Out For…
a more relaxed Riley. The buzz coming out of spring was that
Riley was far less distracted than in the past and taking on
more of a leadership role. The offense needs it. Two years in
the system and the departure of Longshore seem to have done
wonders for the junior’s chi.
Strength:
Footwork. Unlike the days when Longshore was a sitting target in
the pocket, Riley, Mansion, and Sweeney all have quick feet and
move well from side to side. None will be used on designed runs,
but they’re more likely to avoid a sack and scramble for a first
down when things break down.
Weakness:
General inconsistency. Last year’s quarterbacks were way too
sporadic, especially by Tedford’s standards. They completed just
52% of their passes, second lowest in the Pac-10, and, with a
few exceptions, struggled to connect on the long ball.
Outlook: The
time has come for Riley to blossom into Tedford’s next star
pupil. He’s had two seasons to get comfortable with the system,
speed of the game, and expectations as a Golden Bear. Plus,
without Longshore casting his shadow over the position, he
should have a clearer head entering the season. Just in case,
the staff is making sure both underclassmen prepare as if
they’ll get their chance this fall.
Rating:
7
Running Backs
Projected Starters:
Cal has suddenly become a factory for NFL
backs, sending four players to the pros in just the last six
drafts. Junior
Jahvid Best
is next in line. One of
the most explosive athletes in America and a Heisman contender,
he burst out of the shadows of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett
in 2008. In an All-Pac-10 campaign, he rushed for a league-high
1,580 yards, caught 27 passes, and finished No. 2 nationally in
all-purpose yards. A true gamebreaker in the Reggie Bush mold,
the 5-10, 195-pounder is one of those rare offensive stars, who
can change a game with one play and must be accounted for at all
times.
Very quietly, the Bear running game took a hit
with the graduation of Will Ta’ufo’ou, one of the nation’s
better blocking fullbacks over the last couple of seasons. The
favorite to succeed him is 5-9, 235-pound senior
Brian Holley. A
loyal soldier in the Jeff Tedford army, he’s earned three
letters, primarily as a special teams standout. Very strong and
tough to move off his base, his role will be limited to opening
holes for the tailbacks.
Projected Top Reserves: What’s the only things better
than having a player of Best’s ability? How about two players
with Best’s ability? Okay, 5-10, 198-pound sophomore
Shane Vereen isn’t
quite as dynamic, but he’s still a top talent, who’d be starting
on a ton of schools throughout the country. A blur with
outstanding vision, he ran 142 times for 715 yards and four,
adding 27 receptions and a touchdown catch as an ideal
complement.
While it won’t be easy getting touches on
this team, Cal needs to find a way to use 5-11, 205-pound
redshirt freshman
Covaughn DeBoskie, a top recruit from 2008. Yeah, he’s the
least experienced, but down the road, he may wind up being the
most complete player, who’s tough enough to work between the
tackles and quick enough to bounce outside them.
Watch Out For…
Cal to be set at the position until 2012…at least. The Bears are
deep in talented backs and spread out in such a way that the
torch will continue to be passed from Best to Vereen, and from
Vereen to DeBoskie.
Strength: Quick-strike ability. Best, Vereen, and
DeBoskie all have that extra gear needed to bring a crowd to its
feet and demoralize opposing defenses. All three have the 4.3 or
4.4 jets that can change the tenor of a game when they get into
the open field. In fact, Best and Vereen both had touchdown runs
of at least 80 yards a year ago.
Weakness: The
power game. The Bears have a ton of lightning, but where’s the
thunder? Especially now that Ta'ufo'ou is trying to make the
Chicago Bears, Cal needs to develop a power back, who can move
the sticks in short yardage and milk the clock in the final
quarter.
Outlook:
If the Golden Bears remain healthy, and it’s no sure-thing,
they’ll boast one of the most exciting big-play backfields in
the country. Best is an ethereal figure with the ball in his
hands, but his track record of getting banged up should somewhat
temper enthusiasm as the Heisman hype begins to percolate.
Rating: 9.5
Receivers
Projected Starters:
While the receivers predictably struggled during last year’s
rebuilding stage, everyone is a year older, which should usher
in some progress. Although more consistency is still needed,
6-2, 211-pound senior
Nyan Boateng began flashing his considerable upside,
catching a team-best 29 balls for 439 yards and five touchdowns.
A Florida transfer and gifted all-around athlete, he’s able to
beat defenders with his speed, strength, and jumping ability,
and is an underrated downfield blocker.
On the opposite
side of the field will be 6-2, 190-pound sophomore
Marvin Jones, a
smooth operator coming off a breakthrough spring. While he may
not be the fastest of the receivers, he’s making a strong case
for being the most polished one, displaying great hands, tight
cuts in his routes, and the confidence of an upperclassmen. Had
it not been for a knee injury, he would have played more in his
rookie year.
When the Bears go three-wide, 6-1, 205-pound
sophomore Alex Lagemann
is the top candidate to line up in the slot. He didn’t
contribute in 2008 and has had injury problems, but made up for
it with the kind of offseason that’s propelled him into the
rotation. More of a possession receiver than his teammates, he
uses his body well in traffic and has sticky hands.
The
biggest loss among the receivers was the unexpected departure of
big-play TE Cameron Morrah. The Bears have recruited the
position well, but for now, will place the burden to produce on
6-5, 254-pound senior
Tad Smith. A former defensive end, he’s a brutish run
blocker, but needs to develop as a pass-catcher after making
just three catches for 23 yards and a score.
Projected Top Reserves:
Senior Verran Tucker
was making progress in his first year out of El Camino (Calif.)
Community College, but suffered a setback when he had to sit out
spring to concentrate on academics. He finished his debut with
21 catches for 362 yards and three touchdowns, showing good
burst in a 6-1, 204-pound frame. When he returns, he’ll be
battling Jones for an outside job.
Junior
Jeremy Ross is
currently lining up behind Boateng, looking to improve on last
year’s 17 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns. At 5-11
and 216 pounds, he’s arguably the most dynamic physical specimen
of the group, blending 4.4 speed and good hops with the upper
body strength to out muscle defenders for the ball.
The
future at tight end likely belongs to 6-3, 258-pound sophomore
Anthony Miller. A
more athletic option than Smith, he’ll see his playing time
increase, especially when the Bears want to exploit the seams
down the middle of the field.
Watch Out For…
the health of 6-2, 205-pound sophomore
Michael Calvin.
Before suffering a torn ACL at the beginning of last season, he
was considered the top guy at “X” receiver and a possible go-to
candidate. Now, he’s just trying to get back to 100% and start
climbing the depth chart. When healthy, he’ll instantly add
depth and bring a physical presence to the unit.
Strength:
Measurables. Across the board, the Golden Bear receivers are
big, fast, and have a bounce in their step. Now, all they need
to work on is achieving a greater level of …
Weakness:
…consistency. As a group, the wide receivers simply aren’t quite
polished, dropping too many passes and not always running great
routes. Plus, the tight ends took a hit with Morrah’s early exit
to the NFL. As a group, these guys need to mature if the passing
game is going to make strides from a year ago.
Outlook:
Is there potential? You bet. Tapping it, however, will be a team
effort involving the quarterbacks, receivers, and position coach
Kevin Daft. If these good athletes can begin morphing into good
receivers, the entire program stands to benefit.
Rating: 7
Offensive Line
Projected Starters:
No hole on the depth chart is bigger than the one left by Alex
Mack, the best center to ever play in Strawberry Canyon. He’ll
be sorely missed. Filling his spot will be 6-2, 275-pound junior
Chris Guarnero, who
has spent the last few seasons preparing for this opportunity.
While undersized, he’s a tough, quick technician, and has been
learning from the best since he arrived on campus.
The
rising star of this cast is enormous sophomore RT
Mitchell Schwartz,
last year’s most improved offensive lineman. At 6-6 and 335
pounds, he has the size to simply overpower opposing linemen,
yet has surprisingly good footwork, a must as a pass protector
in this league. Still a little raw and inexperienced, he has
All-Pac-10 potential once he becomes a more seasoned blocker.
Making his long-awaited return to the field is 6-7,
319-pound senior LT
Mike Tepper, who has missed two full seasons to
injury and was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.
A starter in 2006 and 2007, he’s a quality pass blocker and a
borderline NFL prospect if he can remain off the trainer’s
table. Tepper doesn’t play center, but he is capable of
replacing Mack as the leader of the offensive line.
Like
Tepper, 6-3, 329-pound senior RG
Chet Teofilo is back
for a sixth year on campus. A former defensive lineman, he began
adjusting to a new side of the ball last season, playing at both
left and right tackle. Very tough at the point of attack, he’s
better suited playing in smaller spaces, and should excel as an
interior lineman.
Rounding out the front wall is 6-4,
304-pound LG Mark
Boskovich, who had cameos in the starting lineup when
Guarnero was injured last fall. A former walk-on, who was missed
by plenty of programs, he’s technically sound and improving
every time he gets playing time. Last year’s experience, in
particular, really helped flatten his learning curve.
Projected Top
Reserves: Keeping Teofilo from running away with the job
at right guard is 6-4, 290-pound junior
Richard Fisher, the
rare vegetarian offensive lineman and a returning letterwinner.
He’s added some weight to his frame since arriving, yet remains
light on his feet and quick to the second level.
Although he hasn’t been playing the sport very long, 6-4,
278-pound junior Justin
Pruiett has become the insurance policy for Schwartz at
right tackle. A versatile player, who’s handled multiple
positions, he’ll benefit by adding a little more weight and
getting more reps this fall.
For now, 6-4, 291-pound
redshirt freshman Matt
Summers-Gavin is a backup guard, but he’s teed up to be a
starter as early as 2010. A nasty and, at times, dominant drive
blocker, he spent his first season on campus getting bigger,
stronger, and better acclimated to the system. He’s currently
running second to Boskovich on the left side.
Watch Out For…
the development of Guarnero at the pivot. There’s no doubt that
his play will be the key to the overall success of the offensive
line. No one expects him to be Mack, but he does need to emerge
as a leader, while making all of the right calls up front.
Strength:
Bulk. Besides Guarnero, the Cal line consists of hulking linemen
capable of blowing opponents off the ball. The Bears didn’t
average a robust 5.6 yards a carry in 2008
solely on the speed
and nifty moves of Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen.
Weakness:
Inexperienced backups. Cal is getting there, but it remains a
little too youthful on the second unit, especially with Tepper’s
past history of injury problems. The key will be to develop some
of those reserves in 2009, so quality depth won’t be a problem
in 2010.
Outlook:
Ace line coach Jim Michalczik is gone, putting first-year coach
Steve Marshall in charge of molding this group in transition.
There’ll be a drop-off because of Mack’s graduation, but the
starting five should be fine, especially if Tepper stays healthy
and Schwartz continues on his current career trajectory.
Rating: 7.5
-
2009 California Preview
|
2009 Cal Offense
-
2009 Cal Defense
|
2009 Cal Depth
Chart
-
2008 Cal Preview
|
2007 Cal Preview
|
2006 Cal
Preview