BearTalk

Don’t ever let anyone tell you practice doesn’t matter. The Bears had their first double-day Saturday, and the evening session was a lively one. It culminated with a big commotion at the end of situational action, when the offense and defense engaged in a dispute whether wide receiver Marvin Jones was inbounds after hauling down a pass from quarterback Brock Mansion on a fade pattern for a two-point conversion.

Cal head manager Norman Mo was standing at the back corner of the end zone and, after a few moments of internal deliberation, ruled that Jones was out of bounds. That set off animated protests by offensive players and coaches, and celebratory yelps by the defense. Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik and wide receivers coach Kevin Daft pleaded their case with Mo, while defensive coordinator Bob Gregory ran over to shake Mo’s hand. Recruiting assistant Kevin Parker jokingly went to the sideline to watch an imaginary instant replay.

That ended up being the last play of an eventful day, one in which Nate Longshore outplayed Kevin Riley much of the time, but with Riley making a strong comeback late. Riley ran with the first team in the morning and Longshore played with the first unit in the evening. Riley struggled during the morning practice and for part of the evening. Longshore played well, and appeared to put an exclamation point on his day with a beautiful pass down the middle of the field that went for a 67-yard touchdown to Cameron Morrah.

But Riley answered right back when the second unit took the field. HIs first pass floated perfectly into the hands of wide receiver Sean Young along the sideline, and he hit Young two more times during the drive. He also connected with LaReylle Cunningham for a nice gain over the middle.

When the Bears went back to the final 11-on-11 session of the night, a situational drill geared toward working on clock management, Longshore was picked off by Marcus Ezeff on first down on a pass slightly behind Michael Calvin. That brought the second unit on to the field, and Riley connected with Young on the second play for a 33-yard touchdown pass.

The Bears practiced only in helmets in the morning but once again in full pads for the evening session.

The Bears had several players sit out practice after guys got banged up after the first day in pads. Defensive back Charles Amadi, defensive tackle Michael Costanzo and running back Covaughn DeBoskie each suffered concussions Friday, and linebacker Zack Follett suffered a groin injury. Nose tackle Mika Kane sprained his ankle coming down the steps on to the Memorial Stadium field before Saturday’s morning practice, and defensive back Jesse Brooks suffered a concussion late in Saturday’s evening session.

Running back Jahvid Best was given the day off after going through his first day in pads Friday since his hip injury. Cal coach Jeff Tedford said the team will give Best perennial days off during camp to keep him fresh.

Freshman wide receiver Marvin Jones continues to have a strong camp. He even took some reps with the first team Saturday. Jones is very good at making people miss after the catch; he faked out cornerback Chris Conte after taking a quick out Saturday night and earned some extra yardage.

The Bears will go in full pads again tomorrow, with just one practice in the afternoon.

More to come from Saturday soon…