Monday practice reports

The Bear Insider has a nice report of yesterday/Monday’s first practice of fall camp. The article mentions a positive atmosphere and talks about who made big plays, including the walk-ons and incoming freshman. It also lists those returning from injury, new scholarship players, and new walk-ons. Take a look here.

The Contra Costa Times also has a report of the practice and the post-practice barbeque. It talks about academics, the offensive line, and quarterbacks. It also notes that freshman quarterback Kevin Riley (expected to red-shirt this season) has grown an inch while adding 25 pounds, looking “very sharp” throwing the ball.

Bears “smelling roses” – Oakland Tribune

The Oakland Tribune has put Marshawn Lynch on the front page of today’s sports section, giving high praise and hype for the team this season. The article describes this season as a “golden opportunity” to get back to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 48 years, the best chance since Chuck Muncie and the 1975 team. The article also goes over a few question marks, including the quarterback situation, hybrid offense, Lynch, pass rush, and shutdown corners. Take a look.

Fall camp begins

The Bears report for fall training camp today, and practice officially begins tomorrow afternoon (Monday). Here’s the release from Cal with a lot of facts and statistics.

Challenges, potential of infusing spread

The San Jose Mercury News has put up an article about how many will be watching Cal’s unveiling of the “Ted-Spread” offense at Tennessee. Coach Jeff Tedford again makes the reminder that the spread is only an “added dimension”, not a major change of philosophy.

However, he says the “No. 1 concern” of this is the shotgun snap: in a spread play, the quarterback stands in the shotgun position, requiring a long snap from the center (offensive line). Sophomore Alex Mack, taking over with the departure of Marvin Philip to the NFL, only has one year of experience with this type of snap. The article has a few quotes from fellow Pac-10 coaches praising Tedford’s previous system, but also expressing some concern over the introduction of this added element.

With these risks come a lot of potential. We’ll have to wait for September 2 to see the “Ted-Spread” action.

Cal #12 in BCS preseason coaches’ poll

USA Today released its Top 25 preseason poll this morning. This poll represents 1/3 of the BCS equation. Cal comes in at #12, a little lower than I expected. The ranks and (first place votes):

USA Today Coaches’ Poll: 1. Ohio State (28) 2. Texas (11) 3. (tie) Notre Dame (9) 3. (tie) USC (1) 5. Oklahoma (13) 6. Auburn (1) 7. West Virginia 8. Florida 9. LSU 10. Florida State 11. Miami 12. California

13. Louisville 14. Georgia 15. Michigan 16. Virginia Tech 17. Iowa 18. Clemson 19. Penn State 20. Oregon 21. TCU 22. Nebraska 23. Tennessee 24. Alabama 25. Texas Tech

As you can see, USC is still highly ranked despite losing all that talent last season. It’s also good to see Tennessee ranked, making the September 2 opener real big. Note that while Oklahoma is #5, they will most likely drop significantly due to their starting QB being kicked off the team.

Tedford and player quotes from Bay Area media day

Cal has put up a short article with quotes from Coach Jeff Tedford and seniors Daymeion Hughes, Erik Robertson, and Desmond Bishop. These are from yesterday’s annual Bay Area Media Day in San Francisco.

Levy rejoins team

Quarterback Steve Levy, who was recently suspended from the team for a bar brawl in San Francisco, has been reinstated and will be allowed to join the team for fall practice on August 6. Yesterday, Levy’s case was settled in court and the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor. However, he remains suspended for the Tennessee game on September 2.

Levy will compete to start at quarterback in fall camp, but he is not expected to take the first spot on the depth chart.

Tedford interview on KNBR

Another radio interview with coach Jeff Tedford was featured yesterday morning on KNBR’s Murph and Mac show. He didn’t say anything particularly new, but it was nice exposure for publicity. A quick summary of his comments:

• Preseason expectations: He likes the high preseason expectations, and feels it’s good for the team. The team will have to meet this potential, though.
• Tennessee: Tedford considers this to be a premier opening game nationwide, naming the Vols stadium one of the most hostile in the country. The game will be a challenge, and act as a motivating factor for fall camp. He mentioned that he will be playing game noise during camp.
• Defense: The defense will be the anchor of the team this year. Brandon Mebane, a senior leader, is deserving of all the preseason recognition he’s receiving as he really requires attention from opponents. Meanwhile, the corners are tested and the linebackers are solid as led by Desmond Bishop.
• Quarterback: Competition will remain open, with Longshore starting in fall camp. Tedford’s happy with Ayoob’s progress in the offseason. Levy and Reed will also be in the running, but not all four will be sharing snaps during camp.
• Running back: Both Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett will be carrying the ball. While Lynch will get the most, Forsett and Marcus O’Keith will be keeping him fresh.
• Speed: Tedford considers this the fastest team he’s had in his tenure.
• Offensive Line: The line is talented but inexperienced. New additions Mike Gibson and Tyler Krieg have done well this summer. Tedford expects a solid line by the end of camp with 8 guys ready to play.
• USC: Cal needs to take care of business one game at a time. The focus will be on the teams as they come. Tedford noted that last year’s USC team was particularly special.

Thanks to Chris B. for the note and AuNBearkeley for the summary.

Cal featured on ESPN.com, picked to win Pac-10

Marshawn Lynch has returned to the front page of ESPN’s College Football index, with caption “Marshawn Lynch and Cal are focused on a run at the Pac-10 title” and subtitle “Is this the year USC gets knocked off the Pac-10 throne? Will Marshawn Lynch lead a Cal coronation?” This is the lead-in for ESPN’s release of the Blue Ribbon Preview for the Pac-10 (subscription only). The article is VERY positive, picking Cal to win the Pac-10. Their summary:

Blue Ribbon Preview – California:
The defense should be potent, led by perhaps the most complete collection of linemen and linebackers west of the Mississippi. The pass rush should be more than enough to bypass potential growing pains by the safeties.

And then there’s Lynch, who along with USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett should bring the Pac-10 any national attention some might fear departed with Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. Lynch is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate and here’s guessing Cal produces a 2,000-yard rusher for the second time in three seasons (J.J. Arrington did so in 2004).

In the end, we see Cal as a lock for double-digit wins and at worst, third-place in the Pac-10. Best-case scenario, though — one of the quarterbacks takes to the spread offense and the Bears unseat USC, the three-time defending Pac-10 champs, and earn a coveted BCS bid that many thought they deserved two seasons ago.

They project Lynch as the Pac-10’s Offensive Player of the Year and Daymeion Hughes as the Defensive Player of the Year. Lynch and Hughes (DB) also make their All-Pac-10 Team along with Brandon Mebane (DL), Desmond Bishop (LB), and Tim Mixon (PR).

One player I believe they overlooked is DeSean Jackson (WR), a contender for a monster season. ESPN’s Bruce Feldman reports that Jackson has spent the offseason weight training instead of playing baseball. He’s already put on 10 pounds of bulk.

Lynch on ESPN2 feature for Heisman hopefuls

Today, Marshawn Lynch was featured on ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza” as a candidate in the Heisman race this season. During his segment, he could be described humble and well-spoken. Lynch seems to remain deeply appreciative to his team and his hometown (Oakland), but he also realizes what he means to them.

Analyst Pat Forde made some comments regarding what must happen for Lynch to win:

• Hype. Cal needs to give Lynch the spotlight in front of the TV camera and create opportunities for him to get more TV exposure, especially since we’re 3 hours behind the East Coast.
• Numbers. Lynch needs to get more touches (whether it’s carries, receptions, or kick returns) and stats like 2000 yards and 20 TD’s. These may be a bit lofty considering the balance of the offense.
• Team. Cal needs to beat USC and get 10 wins.

Forde closed up with giving Lynch 12/1 odds to win the Heisman, but said the odds would improve substantially given wins against Tennessee and Minnesota (the first two games of the season).

EDIT: Here is an online clip of the video segment.