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.

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.

Cal releases 2006 Football Media Guide

The 2006 Football Media Guide is now online on the official Cal Football site. Take a look.

New banners at Memorial Stadium

New banners have replaced the old outside Memorial Stadium. Previous banners featured Marshawn Lynch and Brandon Mebane. These current banners include LB Desmond Bishop, CB Daymeion Hughes, OL Erik Robertson, and TE Craig Stevens. Here are photos:

Photo credit: pepman54

Cal picks Oregon’s associate AD for development

Cal has hired Jim Bartko, a former Oregon administrator and liason to Nike as the new Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development. This is a great hire considering the upcoming stadium renovation project and its need for funds. Over at Oregon, Bartko oversaw the fundraising for their stadium, basketball arena, and other facilities, so he’s a very experienced addition to the staff. Here’s Cal’s official press release.

Lynch not injured in Oakland Tech shooting

Marshawn Lynch was mistakenly targeted in a shooting outside Oakland Tech (his alma mater) when attending the graduation of his sister. Five or six shots were fired at a car he was sitting in, but thankfully he was not hurt. Read the article and watch the news report here.

Pac-10 podcast on ESPN with Cal comments

ESPN has put up a podcast with Bill Doba (WSU head coach), Dan Fouts, Ivan Maisel and David Albright discussing the Pac-10. An excerpt in the preview blurb says, “Can Cal live up to the preseason expectations?”

This is on the front page of ESPN’s college football page, with Marshawn Lynch shown with a “Pac-Men” headline. The caption says, “Cal’s Marshawn Lynch is expected to be in the running for the Heisman.” Very nice.

Summary of comments about Cal (thanks to GMP on CyberBears):

• Last season’s 8-4 record was not “weak”
• Cal is highly rated because last year found success despite it being a “rebuilding” year
• A win in the high-profile opening game against an improved Tennessee will launch Cal into a high ranking
• With Marshawn Lynch and other returnees plus confidence in Coach Tedford‘s program, Cal deserves high preseason rankings
• The media loves Lynch and expect him high in the running for the Heisman this year
• If Longshore hadn’t been injured last season, the season would have turned out better
• Prediction: Longshore, then Levy, then Ayoob on the QB depth chart
• Ayoob is a question mark who has had time, but Cal will have problems if he’s turned to

New article on Scout.com with good analysis

Scout.com has put up an article entitled Has Cal Arrived? The article includes some very indepth statistical analysis and many observations about Cal Football. Take a look.

Cal selected for 3 primetime games on ABC

ABC Saturday Night College Football has pre-selected Cal for three of their primetime games this fall. They will be available in high definition (HD) for the first time.

Oct. 7, 8 p.m. ET: Oregon at California
Nov. 4, 8 p.m. ET: UCLA at California
Nov. 18, 8 p.m. ET: California at USC

Great to see recognition for Cal as a top football team. Take a look at the article here.

Cal on ESPN

Marshawn Lynch is now gracing the front page of ESPN’s College Football site with caption, “Marshawn Lynch and the Bears are taking aim on the Pac-10 title”. It’s the lead-in for their Pac-10 spring recap article, which highlights many of the developments from spring practice and things to look for in the fall. Take a look.