http://www.sportsnipe.com California Bears NCAA Football, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937340/cal-vs-usc-at-half.html At the half,  Cal trails 10-3. Overall, a decent performance, about as good as can be expected.   Although we aren’t moving the ball on offense at all, at least our defense is playing well.  Keeping USC to only 10 points in the half is a pretty good job. Nate Longshore needs to stop the mental blunders.  As a fan, it’s been painful watching him play.  2 picks that were luckily overturned by penalties (one questionable).  Several balls short-hopped to wide open receivers.  Taking a -14 yard sack instead of throwing the ball away.  These are things you definitely cannot do against USC.  We were lucky to even be on the board at this point, as the scoring drive was kept alive almost exclusively by USC penalties. оптична мрежамебели пловдив Once again, Pac-10 referees prove themselves to be inept.  A USC interception called back by a somewhat questionable roughing the passer call.  Then on the USC TD drive, they failed to review two crucial plays, the first on a pass going over midfield where the receiver clearly stepped out 8 yards behind where they eventually marked the play dead.  Then on the TD itself, the ball clearly was through the receiver’s arms and trapped on the ground. All three timeouts wasted to avoid delay of game penalties.  MANAGE THE CLOCK LONGSHORE.  As a veteran, he should know better. In the second half, Cal needs to keep up the pressure on defense.  They need to get to QB Mark Sanchez and apply more pressure on him, and force him to throw some picks.  On offense, they need to find a way to hit receivers in stride going down field.  Short screen passes are not working at all, and Longshore isn’t hitting his open receivers.   Until they can prove to be a threat down in the passing game, the running game will suffer, and we can’t depend on USC penalties to keep our drives moving.  If Longshore can’t get it done, Tedford should give Riley a shot, since he’s been cleared by medical staff to play. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937339/policy-for-those-who-disagree.html In a comment recently someone mentioned a concern about being welcome here as someone who disagrees with me. I want to make it clear that everyone is welcome here, both to read and to comment. In fact, I really have no interest in keeping this blog just to discuss matters with those who already agree [...] California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937338/cal-vs-ucla-prediction.html Perhaps my prediction earlier this week, 56-13 Cal over UCLA, was a little high. High but not unreasonable. Here is why. Why UCLA will only score 13 points...- UCLA's QB situation consists of these options 1) a one legged back up 2) a walk on that turned the ball over 4 times against Notre Dame 3) a QB turned WR turned QB (though still behind the walk on)- UCLA's starting running back, Chris Markey, is injured (he might play but is listed at 4th in the depth chart and can't really plant his foot.)- The Bruins' offense has scored 16 offensive touchdowns this season.Let's just say that I don't see the Bruin offensive machine kicking into high gear this week.Why Cal will score at least 56 points...- UCLA's defensive line has been decimated by injuries. This was a strength of the defense.- UCLA's defense ranks 9th in the nation in rushing D. Good for them. Oregon St. was ranked 3rd in the nation in rushing D and Forsett had no problem getting his 150 against them.- Cal offense should score 35 points on its own. (2 Forsett TD's, 1 Jackson TD, 1 Jordan TD (possible Stevens TD here), 1 Best TD off a long run)- UCLA will turn the ball over at least twice (one of which will result in a defensive TD)- Special teams will produce a TD (Jackson, Hawkins, Best... it is about time one of them broke another one).- Hmmm... ok I will lower the prediction to 49 - 13. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937337/seriously.html Ok. let me admit first where I was wrong- UCLA rushing defense is much better than I expected. They held Cal RB's to less than 100 yards and that is an impressive feat.- Patrick Cowen is better on one leg than most QB's. That guy made the plays when he needed to and kept the Bruins in the game.- Cal's defensive line is not better than I expected. There was little to no pressure on Cowen from the D line. The only pressure seemed to come from the LB's and they were sent only a couple times.Honestly, I can't believe we lost this game. I was surprise to be up by only one at the half but I figured that halftime adjustments would be made.Give all the credit to the Bruins, who played well and showed that when their defense is playing up to their talent level, they can be dominating.I don't really know what else to say at this point. This loss is WAY more disappointing than last weeks loss to OSU. Perhaps I can live another year so I can see a Rose Bowl before I die.(More lucid and rational commentary once these feelings of dread die down and I am able to think more clearly. I need another drink.) California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937336/arizona-st.html This is a big game for Cal. Cal has never lost three in a row under Coach Tedford. But I am not a big believer in looking at past performance as indicators for the current year.Cal has to win this game to keep their slim Rose Bowl/Pac 10 championship hopes alive. Here are some positives and negatives heading into Saturday's games.Positives- ASU starting RB Ryan Torain is out for the year. This is a positive for Cal, since Torain ran roughshod over the Cal defense last year.- ASU is largely untested. Due to a soft schedule, ASU has been able to cruise through the first half of their season. How they perform on a bigger stage has yet to be seen.- ASU's defense while solid, is not on the same level (statistically) as UCLA or Oregon St. I say statistically, because I have really only seen part of 1 ASU game so the defense might be better than the stats indicate.- ASU struggled in its last game (2 weeks ago) against Washington St.Negatives- Cal is playing on the road. QB Nate Longshore has a history of not performing well on the road so this does not bode well.(Side note: I was a little surprised by some fans mentioning a QB controversy. The same fans that were calling for Kevin Riley's head after the OSU game were calling for him to replace Longshore after the UCLA loss. Ironic.)- ASU is coming off a bye week. So they should be well rested and well prepared for Cal.- Defensive Coordinator Bob Gregory stated after the UCLA game that there would be no changes to the defense and that the players simply needed to execute better (that was paraphrased by me). I understand his point regarding tackling and overpursuing. But what about the pass rush? Is he saying that if the guys in the trenches executed better they would be getting more pressure on the QB?No more score predictions for the rest of the season, as I am obviously horrible at it. Let's just say, I think Cal will bounce back in the desert [Update: Correct from dessert to desert, see comment #1 for more details].Nate will do enough to not lose the game while Forsett will re-establish himself as the conference's best running back with a huge game.ASU will score points but the defense will come up with some big plays at the right moments (like in the Oregon game). Go Bears. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937335/another-disappointment-liver-hurting.html Here is how I watched the game on Saturday, which started at 10:15pm EST.First Quarter:- Late dinner at home. Opened up a bottle of wine with the meal.- Defense came out attacking and was getting great pressure on the ASU QB. While some of the drives stalled, the aggressive play calling on offense was great to see. Happy times. And the wine is pretty tasty too.Second Quarter:- Finished off the bottle of wine and opened a bottle of rum a friend brought me from Puerto Rico. Mixed it with some coke to keep energy level high.- Great catch by Jackson in the corner of the end zone. Celebration. - ASU is starting to come back.- No worries, into the locker room up at the half.Halftime:- Man, this rum is pretty good, I think I will have some more.- Tedford looks pissed. That is good. There are going to be some sick halftime adjustments and the Bears will come out roaring. Raise a glass to that.Third Quarter:- Bottle of rum is quickly disappearing...- Ahhh, Follett tackle the ball carrier not the pile. 4th and 1 and we had them stopped. ASU TD, they take the lead.- Alcohol is really beginning to take a hold of me. Nate appears to be throwing every ball off his back foot and side arm. Must be the alcohol, right?Fourth Quarter:- Rum is gone, frantically searching home for more alcohol. Ah, jackpot, bottle of Bacardi in the back of the freezer.- Why can't we move the ball?.... Wait, Jackson is open... Nate sees him... Just hit him in stride... that looks short... really short... Interception???- Defense Bears, Defense (clap, clap)... ok, maybe not. - Thinking to myself, why is the middle so open for ASU, but we can't get anything down the middle except for that one Stevens reception?- Is that really three in a row?Post Game:- Blindly texting friends with nonsensical messages like, "Dude, I need to live one more year. Do you think I can do it?" or "Is there an NYC to El Paso, non stop flight?"- Friends have all turned off phones. Can't tell if it is because of game or because of me.- Pass outA better look at the game from a more lucid state of mind, later today. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937334/longshore-vs-riley.html Hot topic on the message boards and in the blogs. Here are the basic arguements:For Nate- Longshore is injured. Let him rest until he is 100% and then bring him back.- Longshore has led Cal this far. He made some good throws but had a couple bad games. He will bounce back.- Experience is far more important than any raw talent Riley might possess.For Kevin- Better arm, more mobile- Nate has peaked and will never take us to the promised land- Time to play for next season, let's see what Riley can doOur ThoughtsAfter watching the ASU game, I don't believe Longshore's ankle is 100%. There were multiple times when he was limping around during the game. His mobility is limited when he is 100%, so with the bum ankle, his mobility is zero.Longshore is throwing off his back foot and side arm a lot. His throws appear to be off and receivers are making a lot of adjustments on the ball. Hawkins, Jackson and Jordan all made fantastic catches on poorly thrown balls when they were relatively open.Until Nate is 100%, give Riley the ball. Let the new guy get some experience and see what he can do. Once the ankles is completely healthy, Nate gets his starting job back. When Nate is healthy, he is a player that puts Cal in a position to win (see what he did in the Oregon game).Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937333/readers-comment-on-cal-qbs.html Oftentimes readers of RBBID write excellent comments in response to our posts. Aaronrodgersforpresident wrote something I thought should be shared with all. I live in LA and hosted about 25-30 of my family and friends at a tailgate at the Rose Bowl 2 weeks ago, and subsequently had my heart ripped out of my chest. A few thoughts?There are some issues on defense, but I felt that the defense played well against UCLA and Arizona State. The real issue was our own offense. Against Arizona State, Cal only held the ball for 23 minutes. That?s a 14 minute advantage for Arizona State. The offense kept turning the ball over, and putting the defense in impossible positions.Our offensive problems, ironically, are the root of the 3-game losing streak. And it?s not a problem with Forsett or with Tedford?s playcalling. The problem is at quarterback. Against Oregon State, I?ll admit that Riley?s final decision was a problem. However, I excuse him since it was his first start. I think his issue on that final play was pure inexperience. He saw open field and thought he could make it to the end zone. And since it was his first start, he completely underestimated the speed of linebackers at the D-1A Pac-10 level. That open field closed a lot faster than he expected by the Oregon State linebackers. What can you say? A guy who?s started for several games estimates linebacker speed more accurately. To me, it?s not Riley?s fault. Other than that, I though Riley played excellently for the rest of the game.Against UCLA and Arizona State, I can say with certainty that our problems stem from the ineffective, near tragic play of Nate Longshore. Here is my assessment?We need to bench Longshore. Unless the designed play gets everyone open, Longshore cannot create. A few years ago, Bill Walsh was interviewed for a Sportscentury special on his development of QB's. What he explained as the #1 element necessary for great quarterback play was the ability of the QB to evade that first tackle, which extends the play for another 2-3 seconds. That's all you need. Doesn't have to have great downfield running ability, just enough mobility to evade the first possible sack.Some players recently in college who have had that innate ability: Matt Leinart (USC), Aaron Rodgers (Cal), Tim Tebow (Florida), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Carson Palmer (USC), Dennis Dixon (Oregon), Jason Campbell (Auburn), just to name a few. These guys are not all speed burners, just slightly mobile. It?s not coincidence that each of these guys has gone onto moderate to major success in the NFL.And here are a few guys who have had that ability at the pro level: John Elway, Brett Favre, Steve Young, Vince Young, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, just to name a few. Oh, and a guy named Montana.Some players recently in college who are high profile, but actually do not possess that ability to evade the first tackle: Nate Longshore, Ben Olson (UCLA), John David Booty (USC), Jason White (Oklahoma), Chad Henne (Michigan), just to name a few.These guys simply start throwing interceptions when plays don?t go perfectly as designed. They cannot create and extend plays. They are system players. Plain and simple.Two things I saw when Kevin Riley played for the Bears. First, a lot of heart. The guy brain lapsed at the end of the game, but he was pretty good for the first start of his career. Second, ability to avoid tackles and make plays. He walked out of a sure safety in the end zone and made a 15 yard completion. Did the same thing from elsewhere on the field several times in the final few minutes, completing nearly impossible passes from within the grasp, or just beyond the grasp of a defender.Longshore (like Ben Olson) is a statue. He's Marino without the ability. Basically, he's the Stan Humphries of college football. Time to put in Riley and stop retarding our program.Thoughts? In my mind, it all goes back to Walsh. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937332/washington-state.html With all the introspective analysis this week, I forgot to really take a look at Cal's opponent on Saturday, Washington State.So here is a brief look at the Cougs.- Tailback Dwight Hardy is out for the season after tearing his ACL on a 51 yard run against UCLA. Bad news for Dwight, good news for Cal. But then again, last week, ASU's starting running back was out for the season and their backups filled in more than adequately.- WSU QB Alex Brink is a very good QB. Besides Oregon's Dennis Dixon, I think Brink is the best QB Cal will face this season. He does the most with the talent around him. The Bears need to bring pressure and force Brink to make some quick decisions. If not, Cal fans might have a long night of watching Brink sit back in the pocket and pick up easy yardage.- WSU is coming off a big win against UCLA. Not really sure how to analyze that because UCLA is the most enigmatic team in the country.- WSU head coach Bill Doba is in a three way fight with Arizona's Mike Stoops and UCLA's Karl Dorrell for the coveted title of "Coach on the Hot Seat".- WSU is 3rd in the Pac 10 in sacks with 20. No worries, because Cal has an elusive QB that can easily avoid pass rush. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937331/shades-september-or-october.html With October behind us, Cal is starting November strong with a win against Washington State. Ok, maybe not strong, but a win is a win.Why November will be like September:- Defense had a great game. There were some fluke throws that went for big yardage, but that happened in September also.- Zack Follett is back and bring the heat. Follett blitzing off the corner is one of the rare times that Cal gets pressure on the QB and can really affect a QB and the defense. Recall in the Tennessee game, his hit on Ainge and the subsequent fumble returned for a TD. Follett is a big time player that makes game changing plays so it is good to see him healthy.- Kay was kicking well.- Forsett and Jahvid had some nice runs. The running game drives the Cal offense.- Winning is winning, no matter how you look doing it.Why November will be like October:- There appears to be an invisible wall that goes up once Cal's offense gets inside the 5 yards line. This invisible wall prevents any sort of run play from getting into the end zone. The wall appears at home and on the road. Gotta take down the wall somehow.- Longshore still appears to be unable to make the throws downfield. His first interception was short and Hawkins looked like he was blowing by the safety but had to come back for the ball.- Forsett is still struggling to gain yards. I believe without the 44 yard TD run, Forsett was averaging less than 3 yards a carry. Teams are stacking the line to stop the run and to get pressure on Longshore. Right now, the strategy is working.- Trick plays work, if you expect only 7-13 yards gains. Reverses are all being sniffed out. Anytime Best touches the ball he is swarmed and has to use his natural ability to gain yards.I like what I saw on defense, but the offense scoring only 20 points was disconcerting. The goal line situation must improve. And Nate has to hit the deep receivers. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937330/gregory-to-wsu.html Saw this article in the SF Chronicle today.Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory, a Washington State graduate, is among a group of logical candidates for the Cougars' head coaching job if Bill Doba is fired, which has been the subject of widespread speculation on the Internet. Gregory's first job interview - a 20-17 win over the Cougars - was nearly flawless.Honestly, this is the first I am hearing of this. I am sure some Cal fans are excited at the prospect of getting a new defensive coordinator. Personally, I think Gregory does a lot with the talent he has. While the defense was getting hammered early in the season, it has really stepped up as a unit recently.Gregory haters, any thoughts? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937329/random-midweek-notes-uc.html What happened to this game???The Cal vs USC game was hyped as the game of the year for the Pac 10 conference. It was easily seen as the best game of the week and was supposed to get national Saturday night coverage on ABC. So I checked the schedule and it looks "undecided" what will be shown out here in NYC. Great, so now I might be treated to a big time match up of two ACC teams grinding out to a 10-7 finale rather than a classic Pac 10 battle of 2 ranked teams.USC Offense- Freshman tailback, Joe McKnight, has finally learned 1) how to hold onto the ball and 2) which direction to run and it only took him half a season. This is not good news for Cal.- USC's best running back, Stafon Johnson is also healthy now. More bad news.- John David Booty's finger is better and he will be leading the USC offense. JDB or Mark Sanchez, neither has looked remarkable this season. If Cal can get in his face, Booty can be forced into a poor game.USC Defense- After getting only 20 sacks for the year, the USC defense got 9 against Oregon St. OSU not playing their starting tailback might have something to do with that stat, but it is still worrisome.- USC linebackers are playing well but not up to their preseason hype where some publications had all three as first team All Americans. Injuries and two losses have faded some of the luster but they are a solid core. Keith Rivers is an excellent tackler and in always in position to make a play.- Post-Aaron Rodgers, Pete Carroll and the USC defense have been able to stop Cal's passing attack. Jackson has been shut down in both previous games. USC has the speed on defense to cover well and has a D line that can generate pressure on the QB without help. Coach Tedford might have to get a little more creative this year. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937328/longshore-update.html Cal QB Nate Longshore will start this week against USC. Here are some excerpt from an article in the Daily Cal.On why Longshore will start:?I would say if he continues to look like he did in pregame, he will continue to start,? Tedford said. ?Unless something happens throughout the week?he has a set back or something gets worse?then that would change. If he stays the way he was this last week, then he would be the starter.?No problem. Longshore is the starter, he has struggled, but if he is healthy enough to play, he should play.On the ankle injury:Tedford said he does not think that Longshore?s ankle will ever fully recover and that it may be a lingering injury that the junior quarterback will have to play through the rest of the season. ?It?s probably something that?s going to stick with him here,? Tedford said. ?It?s very difficult to let something completely heal like that. Maybe in a couple of weeks, when we get a bye, it?ll let him recover a little bit. But I don?t see him recovering that much in the next couple of weeks.? Ok, a little confusing. Is he healthy or is he not healthy? This is a little disconcerting. Hopefully, Coach Tedford is prepping Riley in case the ankle flares up again. Don't want to pull a Karl Dorrell and be putting your backup into the game with no prep.Those of you calling for Riley, it appears that the die has been cast. Here are some reasons why you should to feel good about Longshore starting.1) The game is at home. Longshore is solid to awesome at home. Perhaps, we will see some vintage Nate a la Arizona St or Oregon last year at Memorial.2) Real game experience is very important against a very talented and aggressive defense such as USC's.3) The last four games have been an elaborate scheme. Cal is trying to fool USC into thinking that the Cal offense is sputtering. In reality, Coach Tedford has a separate, even larger laminated play sheet, specially crafted for the USC game.Look for some crazy things. Double nay triple reverses. WR options back to the QB. Forsett and Best in the backfield together in the Wildcat formation. Not crazy enough, what about these. DeSean running a go route. Passes down the middle of the field. Screen passes that result in first downs. A pass longer than 20 yards. A passing play on 1st and goal. A pass play on 2nd and goal. A running play on 3rd and goal that gets in the end zone.Ah yes my friends, the trap has been set. Very clever... very clever... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937327/rain-or-shine.html Forecast for tomorrow's game shows a 70% chance of rain. How much does this affect the game? Well, let's take a look.Cal Offense- Cal has been having trouble throwing the deep ball so the rain might just completely eliminate that option. (Though this would decrease the potential for interceptions on those deep balls)- Cal receivers could break something big on the shorter routes while defenders are slipping and sliding around.- The running game could suffer with USC stacking the box with all eleven defenders.Cal Defense- Those heartbreaking third and long conversions with long passes should decrease in the rain.- Missed tackles can now be blamed on the rain.- Bend but don't break defense is great for the rain. Keep everything in front of you and wait for the offense to mess up.USC Offense- The 2 biggest problems with the USC Offense. 1) QB John David Booty has been inaccurate, missing receivers 2) Receivers are dropping the passes that are on target- Rain usually affects the passing game and the ability to hold on to the ball. Advantage: Rain- The rain might actually provide USC an opportunity to use all 18 of its 5 star running backs.USC Defense- Aggressive defenses can be caught "slippin" in the rain.- USC's defensive line is very good and rain games are usually won in the trenches.Conclusion: Who knows? But rain or shine, Cal takes this one at home. (Eternal optimism is a good thing.) California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937326/frustration.html Man, that game was frustrating. Actually, the last 5 games have been extremely frustrating. It always seems like Cal is just a couple plays away from winning these games.Here are some thoughts on the USC game:QB Nate Longshore- The first interception was the result of a miscommunication. The receiver, Jordan, ran an out, while Longshore threw it in. Based on the coverage, it seemed like Jordan made the right read because the DB and safety were playing inside. But there appeared to be a DB or corner underneath the out route so I am not sure the play would have work either way. But if there are 3 guys covering that receiver, shouldn't someone else be open or in man coverage? Frustrating...- The fumbled snap is something that happens in rain games. Booty had a couple and Longshore was bound to have one in those conditions. But the timing of Longshore's fumble was a momentum killer. Frustrating...- The second interception was where the frustration comes in. Jordan was open on the wheel route. If the ball had more loft or arc, that would have been 6 for Cal. Also, it looked like DeSean had a step on the safety on his post route. A very well designed play called at the right time. The execution just was not there. Frustrating...- Hawkins makes a great catch for a TD, but that was unnecessary if not for an overthrown ball. Frustrating...- Sideline passes. I can recall four only one of which was completed. The deep ball to DeSean near the end of the half. The other three actually gave the receiver no chance because the ball was thrown out of bounds. Frustrating...- I am trying be more diplomatic with this analysis, because there is plenty of ranting and raving about Longshore elsewhere. Longshore did make some nice throws at other points in the game and was able to covert some key third downs. We tend to only remember the picks and final stats in a loss, so that is what we dwell on.The Running Game- Justin Forsett was the man. He was hitting the hole hard, breaking tackles, spinning left and right. The man could not be stopped. It was great to see him have a huge game after a couple weeks of sub-Forsett performances.- Big ups to the O-line guys. They opened some big holes for Forsett in the running game and they also kept Longshore upright with the exception of 1 sack (which was on an overloaded blitz on the blindside).- I have not seen any updates on Jahvid Best's injury. Let's hope that it is not serious and that he is back for the next game.- The best run by Forsett was when he ran for a first down but the line was called for holding. So on the next play Forsett runs for 20+ yards. The man could not be stopped.The Wide Receivers- Overall a solid game. They got open and caught the ball in difficult conditions.- They are also tough guys. There were a couple passes where they got hung out by high passes and were crushed by USC's safeties. Craig Stevens took a brutal hit and Hawkins also took one over the middle.The Defense- Run defense was not very good. Chauncey Washington is not an elite back. Even USC fans will admit to that. He is tough to bring down but there were times when the Cal defense made him look like Marshawn. Frustrating...- Overall, the defense played well and made plays when needed. DeCoud had a huge hit on Washington to cause the fumble near the goal line.- Follett played a good game but there were a couple plays when it looked like he was in position to tackle the runner for a loss but he just missed the tackle. Frustrating...- Booty scrambled for 2 first downs against the Cal D. This is a QB who some say is more immobile than Longshore. Frustrating...Special Teams- It looked like USC was willing to kick to DeSean and had excellent coverage on those plays.- Either Ronald Johnson is going to be the best kick returner in the NCAA next year or Cal needs to shore up the kick off return game a little. He never broke one for a TD but it was mighty close a couple times. Frustrating...Inside the 5 offense- Cal was inside the 5 once during the game. And the result was a field goal. The short yardage running plays near the goal line just aren't working. Frustrating...- First and goal from the 2. Forsett is dropped for a 3 yard loss. Frustrating...- It was almost a relief (almost) when Cal got pushed back for the false start. Obvious passing situation now and Longshore has been good on the short passes and the receivers are getting open on their breaks. But alas, it was a draw to Forsett. Frustrating...Final result... Frustrating... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937325/fun-numbers.html Take a look at these stats over 4 games... CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT 57.1 7.51 2 3 1 64.3 60 5.25 0 2 0 34.4 65.2 5.65 0 1 2 61.9 63.6 4 0 3 0 32.2 Now take a look at these stats over 4 games... CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT 64.7 6.82 3 3 0 77.1 50 7.64 1 2 0 61.7 66.7 5.46 0 1 0 69.7 44.8 6.86 1 2 1 50.8 One set is Dennis Dixon's stats in Oregon's 4 regular season losses last year and the other is Nate Longshore's stats in the last 4 Cal games.Pretty similar... in that both are bad.So if that progression holds true, next year Nate will be a Heisman trophy candidate leading his team to the BCS championship game. Awesome, maybe this is why Tedford is sticking with Longshore.Does anyone know if Longshore can hit a curve ball? We got to get him out to a minor league camp this summer like Dixon did if we really want to see a turnaround.(Answer: The top numbers are Dixon 2006 and the bottom numbers are Longshore 2007.) California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937324/cal-vs-washington.html - The QB SituationUW QB Jake Locker is out. Well... Willingham is saying he is possible but reports say that Locker can not move his neck. Perhaps you should sit him this game Ty.Cal QB Nate Longshore took full responsibility for last weeks loss to USC. Does that mean he will step up this game? Well, it will be wet and cold in Seattle so who knows...- The Goal line SituationThere is some back and forth between two fellow Cal bloggers (Hydrotech and Ken) about Coach Tedford's conservative playcalling at the goal line. Both raise some valid points though I have to lean towards Ken.My thought is that Forsett will simply take it upon his own shoulders to score once Cal is within the 20. He will not be taken down and thus eliminate goal line situations.Side Note: Why not rotate in Riley for goal line situations? He might be able to run that QB option better.- Cal DefenseHolding WSU and USC offenses to around 20 points a game, back to back, is a pretty impressive effort. Let's hope they keep it up. Last year Carl Bonnell threw 5 picks against Cal but still let them to overtime.- WeatherRain and cold... that is the same as last week.Forsett will go crazy. Longshore will have trouble holding onto the ball.Result will be Cal wins by 10 in a game they should win by 30. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937323/frustration-part-ii-cal-vs-udub.html Wow, that was even more frustrating to watch. That game put me in a very reflective mood. Here are some things that I miss...1) I miss being able to stop the run...Against Cal's run defense:USC's Chauncey Washington = LenDale WhiteUW's Louis Rankin = Reggie Bush/Adrian PetersonIf this keeps up, Stanfurd's starting tailback will look like the second coming of Bo Jackson.2) I miss the days when a QB stat line of 3TDs and 250+ yards was always a win...Three touchdowns and one pick for a little under 300 yards. Numbers wise that is a solid to great game. Many of the passes were on target and the three TD passes were all right on. The throw to Montgomery was a great touch throw.But there was still a bit of frustration with the performance. On the pick, Longshore looked like he lost track of the linebacker who was playing underneath. It was not so much the pick as the timing of the pick. It was a huge momentum killer.Also, the underthrown ball to Jordan was a sure TD. Jordan has at least three steps on the defender and had to actually come back to catch the ball. Of course the result was a field goal.3) I miss being able to score from within the 5 yard line...Three TD's were scored from within the 20 yard line and outside the 10 yard line. All on great passes. When Cal got inside the 5, things just went downhill, as has happened in the previous 6 games. While the UDub linebacker made a great play to destroy Forsett in the backfield on second down, it makes it a lot easier to do that when you are no blocked and have a free shot at the RB.The goal line offense just astounds me now. I don't have the numbers but I would guess that in the past 6 games total yards gained on plays from inside the 5 would be negative. From now on, if Cal gets inside the 5, it should false start on purpose, to move the ball back to the 10.4) I miss being able to return the ball at least once to start a half...5) I miss DeSean Jackson (v. 2006)...Let's hope that DeSean can make it back for the Big Game. There seem to be more and more DeSean haters these days but his presence on the field is better for Cal. Even when he is not catching the ball, he requires constant attention from the defense so it opens things up for the other receivers.6) I miss Brandon Mebane...His work rarely showed up in the stat line, but the way he was able to clog up the middle and take on multiple blockers is sorely missed this year. Inexperience and injuries have really hurt the D line. Lets hope that next year things get better.7) I miss Desmond Bishop...Though all three of the current LB's are better athletes than Bishop, his nose for the ball is sorely missed. Bishop rarely overpursued and usually made solid tackles.8) I miss Daymeion Hughes...I can't remember the last time a Cal DB had an INT. Hughes was a true playmaker who often times shut down half of the field. True, he gambled a lot and sometimes paid for it, but most times he made the right decisions.9) I miss Marshawn Lynch...Only because he was fun to watch. Forsett has done a fantastic job of stepping into Lynch's shoes and is really the only Bear playing consistently well.10) I miss having a competitive Big Game...For the last decade or so, the Big Game has been one sided. Maybe not always in score, but in the direction both teams were heading. I think more people will be tuned into this year's Big Game simply because no team is heavily favored to win. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937322/big-game-disappointment.html Sorry for the lack of posts, work and real life got in the way. I have been traveling and was unable to find the time to post. (Though based on the teams performance of late, I can understand how some readers thought I abandoned this blog.)So thoughts on the Big Game...Heading into the game, I was genuinely excited. While the season was a disappointment to date, a big win in the Big Game was just the thing to pick up the spirits before the holidays. Say what you will about Cal football, but beating Stanfurd always picks up Cal fans. Sadly, my excitement was for naught.Where to start...1) Pass ProtectionWhat happened to the O line? This is a unit that was 3rd in the nation in sacks allowed having given up only nine all season. But Longshore was under pressure all game. It was amazing to me how Cal was unable to pick up blitzes off the corner by Stanfurd linebackers. Longshore again did not have a good game, but the pass protection was a bulk of the reason for that.2) Running GameSolid first half performance by Forsett. But what happened in the second half. It was as if he did not even exist. Why abandon the run game so quickly? Perhaps it was an effort to make half time adjustments and throw off the Stanfurd defense? I don't really know. But it seems like Cal gave up on the run pretty quickly.3) DefenseThe defense played solid. Not great, not poor. Giving up 20 points should win most games. It was frustrating to see Stanfurd continually convert 3rd and long but the final scoreboard result was nothing to be disappointed about.4) CoachingSome may complain about the play calling. Other may wonder like I did about abandoning the run. But, if Cal executes, this game is a lot different. There were a lot of critical dropped ball on what were excellent play calls.Ok, forget this list. What it comes down to is that the players were not fired up for this game and came out flat. Once they were down, they played scared. Every shot of the Stanfurd sideline showed players hooting and hollering. They wanted it more and they played their hearts out.Every shot of the Cal sideline was a stoic scene. Players looking off into space. Very little passion or even urgency.Things that killed me- The dropped balls. Hawkins was just off this game. He will be missed next year but he had a poor showing in his final game.- The pick Longshore threw to Nick Sanchez. It is third down... throw it to the outside. Even if Jordan does not catch it, we still have another down. Protect the ball.- The deep pass to Jordan when he knocked over the camera man. Jordan had 3 steps on his man and tried to catch the ball 5 yards out of bounds. That is a horrible throw.- The penalties. Then more penalties. Then a couple more penalties. It seemed like Cal was trying to get called for everything. Holding, block in the back, block below the knees, defensive offsides, defensive holding, pass interference, excessive arrogance (for those at the 1997 Big Game, this joke will make sense.)- The lack of DeSean Jackson. Say what you will about DJax, but his presence on the field makes a big, BIG, difference. Even if he does not catch one ball, he occupies at least 2 defenders on every play. This opens up things tremendously for Jordan and Hawkins.- The lack of the tight end. Julian Arthur made some nice catches and I saw Craig Stevens make one great grab. But if the outs and corners are not open, shouldn't the middle be open for a TE to run down the seam. How can Stanfurd's defense blitz and cover every Cal receiver? Seriously, how can they do it?- The lack of team chemistry. This is pure speculation based on watching the game on TV so who knows if any of this is true. But the offense just seemed like they did not believe in each other. Longshore was yelling at O linemen for missing blocks. Receivers were slow to the huddle. Frustration penalties were aplenty. That 3rd quarter was the worst offensive quarter in the history of Coach Tedford.- The lack of passion. I am sure the players cared about this game. But the letdown of the entire season showed in their performance. Stanfurd wanted it more and hats off to them for playing to win.- The lack of confidence in your team. After Follett caused that fumble in the 4th quarter I was jumping up and down. But deep down I felt that Cal was not going to capitalize. Since Coach Tedford came to Cal, I have never felt that way, until that moment.More to come later on what to look forward to next year. Seriously, there are things to look forward to next year. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937321/pack-football-preview-gamebygame-schedule.html Opponent: Eastern Washington When: Thursday, Sept. 2 Time: 6:05 p.m. Where: Reno TV: None All-time series: Pack leads 7-1 The skinny: Eastern Washington posted an 8-4 record in the Big Sky last season, averaging 33.7 ppg under second-year coach Beau Baldwin. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937320/cal-sophomore-brian-schwenke-gets-first-college-start-against-uc-davis-on-saturday.html With the season-opener against UC Davis now just two days away, Cal's offensive line is finally starting to provide some clarity. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937319/experienced-offense-returns-as-bears-begin-2010.html References to Boise State and Stanford were ubiquitous during Tuesday morning's press conference. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937318/five-most-important-questions-for-cal-football-entering-2010.html This time last year, California was poised to mend the scars from a stretch where the Golden Bears had gone 44-19, yet failed to secure a BCS bid. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937317/more-you-grow.html Chris Turner never had a chance. Moments after taking the first snap of the second quarter in Berkeley last year, the Maryland quarterback's pocket collapsed, and he was dropped by Ernest Owusu. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937316/cal-football-update-jeff-tedford-stands-alone.html After Cal put together its best performance of 2009 in its Big Game victory over Stanford last season, it appeared coach Jeff Tedford wouldn't need long to get the one more victory necessary to become the Bears' career wins leader in the modern era. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937315/cal-football-keenan-allen-shines-who-also-impressed-for-bears-in-week-1.html The California Golden Bears came into the 2010 season with question marks at the wide receiver position. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937314/cus-hagan-proud-way-son-persisted.html Buffs assistant coach Darian Hagan talks to running back Rodney Stewart during Saturday's game against CSU. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937313/hawkins-most-pleased-defense.html Of all the things that went right for Colorado in Saturday's 24-3 win over Colorado State, coach Dan Hawkins was happiest with the defense. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937312/college-football-grades.html Comment: The Bears looked terrific, but then they always look terrific at home in September. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937311/allen-stars-in-spectacular-debut-bears-rout-uc-davis.html Keenan Allen's lifelong football mantra has been to go toward the green grass. On Saturday, he found it twice. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937310/bears-got-their-300-grands-worth.html University of California head coach Jeff Tedford talks with his staff in the press box late into the first game of the season against UC Davis in Berkeley on Saturday. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937309/bears-in-pros-wide-receivers.html Yes, it was against an overwhelmed, undersized and significantly less talented opponent in UC Davis, but freshman wide receiver Keenan Allen had a fantastic collegiate debut. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937308/frosh-wr-allen-raising-expectations-for-cal.html Cal wide receiver Keenan Allen had a huge game last week against UC Davis. Sure, any 52-3 win feels good, but UC Davis didn't offer much of a test. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937307/cals-darian-hagan-ventures-into-scene-fathers-glory.html Pier Bruce, the mother of Cal starting cornerback Darian Hagan, isn't about to downplay the family rivalry that will take place Saturday when the Bears host Colorado at Memorial Stadium. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937306/smith-talking-to-few-more-schools.html Brett Smith is back on the market after the Salem (Ore.) West Salem dual-threat quarterback recently de-committed from San Jose State and he started his senior season off well even though his team lost. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937305/bears-cap-fall-camp-twoadays.html The California Golden Bears concluded their final double day of fall camp on Saturday, and Cal head coach Jeff Tedford was more than satisfied? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937304/mr-pac10s-season-preview-cal-stanford.html Collegefootballnews' Matthew Smith previews the Cal Bears and the Stanford Cardinal. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937303/cal-atop-list.html Sacramento (Calif.) Grant defensive tackle Viliami "Tiny" Moala has offers from all over the country. He says the biggest factor in his recruitment is finding a place that will offer three other Grant teammates as well. Right now, despite not offering all of them yet, Cal is atop the list... California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937302/hill-makes-move-in-pendergasts-defense.html The talk of California Golden Bears fall camp centered on the cornerbacks. One player not often mentioned in that group of potential starters at corner was sophomore Josh Hill. But the reason why Hill ? who started five games in 2009 ? was not part of that competition was not because of injury or regression. Hill was offered an opportunity to compete at free safety in Clancy Pendergast's defense? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937301/fall-camp-special-teams-review.html Last time, we analyzed the defensive personnel, and put a focus on why the unit struggled mightily in 2009? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937300/mr-pac10s-picks.html Collegefootballnews? Matthew Smith Picks all the Winners for all Pac-10 Games, Week One California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937299/bears-ready-for-fcs-aggies.html Most California Golden Bear fans are not relishing the matchup against the regional FCS opponent that carries the same UC name. However, for Cal players and coaches, they are not taking UC Davis lightly? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937298/bears-rock-aggies-523.html BERKELEY, CA -- Freshman Keenan Allen stole the show, accumulating 176 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns in his first collegiate game, as the California Golden Bears dominated UC Davis 52-3 in front of 58,040 at Memorial Stadium? California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937297/scouting-bears.html An in-depth look at Colorado's next opponent this Saturday in Berkeley, Calif. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937296/bears-preparing-for-colorado.html California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937295/allen-repeat-performance-against-buffs.html California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937294/cal-still-has-much-too-prove.html California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937293/santa-rosa-press-democrat-tedford-im-complacent-i-care.html By Lowell Cohn It started with a phone call. Well, it actually started before the phone call, but I'll tell you about the phone call first. It was 9:30 p.m. on Monday Aug.2, and I was upstairs reading and heard the phone ring downstairs in my office. By the time I got down there, the caller had hung up. I pressed the button on my answering machine and the caller was Cal football coach Jeff Tedford — Jeff Tedford? — asking me to phone him back no matter how late I got his message.  I knew what it was about. That afternoon Tedford had attended the Bay Area College Football Media luncheon and I had asked if he had anything to prove and he said, no. I wrote he did have something to prove and I wrote he came off complacent. The newspaper posted my column online. It could not have been there more than two hours — and here was Tedford calling. So, I took a deep breath and phoned him back and he thanked me for calling and apologized for troubling me so late on a Monday night. As we spoke, I recalled how some other coaches might have handled this deal with anger and profanity and I remember thinking, “This is a real gentleman.” Tedford blamed himself for misinterpreting my question — took all blame on himself — and asked if we could try again, one-on-one, at my convenience in his office. Sure. And that's why I found myself a few days ago driving up to the trailer that is the Cal football headquarters while they re-do Memorial Stadium. Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937292/contra-costa-times-shane-vereen-ready-to-take-his-place-among-elite-cal-running-backs.html Jonathan Okanes When Shane Vereen came to Cal in 2007 as rivals.com's No. 5-rated running back in the country, he wasn't even the best at his position in the Bears' recruiting class that year.  Vereen arrived in Berkeley along with Jahvid Best, who went on to become one of the top tailbacks in college football and ultimately a first-round NFL draft pick by the Detroit Lions. Such is the landscape at Cal, which has spent the second part of this decade churning out elite running backs. Bears coach Jeff Tedford, a former quarterback in the Canadian Football League, has a reputation for producing potent aerial attacks. But lately it should be for developing star running backs.   Each of the Bears' starting tailbacks since 2004 has been drafted by an NFL team. J.J. Arrington, after leading the country in rushing, was a second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. Marshawn Lynch was the 12th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2007, and Justin Forsett was taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round in 2008. Best was taken 30th overall in April.  Now, it's Vereen's turn. The redshirt junior has flashed his ability in doses as Best's backup the past two seasons. He was the starting running back in the final four games last year after Best was injured, and for the season Vereen rushed for a team-high 952 yards, including 193 in 42 carries in Cal's win over Stanford. Link to rest of article.   California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2937291/oakland-tribune-coach-blue-gold-heart.html Dave Newhouse It's no surprise that George Romero's favorite colors are blue and gold. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1968, and he remains passionately loyal to his alma mater, including the Cal football team, while he fights for his life.  Romero, 64, has terminal brain cancer. But just as he's convinced that Cal can return to the Rose Bowl after 52 years, he truly thinks he can beat his medical condition despite ongoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He lives in a San Jose residential care facility. In late July, he received a phone call at a Los Gatos nursing home, where he was staying after having surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. "Mr. Romero, this is Cal football coach Jeff Tedford." Romero figured it was Roger Buttermore, an old Pioneer High School classmate, playing a trick on him. "What the hell happened at that Oregon State game?" Romero asked. The last-second defeat to Oregon State in 2007, which cost Cal a No. 1 national ranking, remains Tedford's most crushing defeat in his eight years at Cal.  "Well, Mr. Romero, we're going to try to not let that happen again," the voice on the other end said patiently. Romero muttered, "Roger, is this you?" "Mr. Romero," the voice said, "I know you're not going to believe this, but this is Jeff Tedford." "Coach," an embarrassed Romero said, "this is the best get-well greeting that I could possibly have." Link to rest of article. California Bears NCAA Football - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates