BearTalk

The Bears had another double-day session today, working out in full pads in the morning and just helmets in shoulder pads in the afternoon.

Kevin Riley continues to come on at quarterback. After a rough first week, Riley seems to have found his groove. During a 6-on-8 drill Saturday morning where the offense tries to score against the linebackers and secondary, Riley threw a beautiful 40-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Ross, which landed sofly on Ross’ fingertips in the end zone. Riley also threw a touchdown pass to tight end Garry Graffort on a goal-line drill.

Nate Longshore struggled during the early portions of the morning practice but came on later. He was intercepted early by Darian Hagan on a pass intended for Sean Young, but then followed Riley’s 40-yard strike to Ross with a 40-yard scoring pass of his own to Nyan Boateng.

Longshore also had one strong 11-on-11 series, twice throwing passes that prompted fiery offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti to exclaim: “Nice shot!” and give Longshore a high-five. Longshore also connected with tight end Cameron Morrah on for a touchdown on third down during the goal-line drill.

Cal’s running backs had a good day. Jahvid Best reeled off a 60-yard touchdown run early on. Shane Vereen reeled off a stunning move in which he quickly changed directions whie being pursued by linebacker Anthony Felder and safety Brett Johnson and freshman Covaughn DeBoskie showed some strength after appearing to get sandwiched by some hard hitting by linebackers Shea McIntyre and Matt Russi, he somehow kept his legs moving and broke free for more yardage.

Back to Vereen’s move on Felder and Johnson, it was on that play that there was a quick and minor altercation between tight end Tad Smith and linebacker Eddie Young. I didn’t see what prompted it, but after the play was over, Young continued to roughhouse Smith while on top of him. Smith finally got up and tried to go after Young, but it was quickly broken up.

Practice scuffles aren’t rare, especially in training camp when the grind can wear down players.

“I don’t ever expect it. It happens,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “They hit on each other every single day. It happens, but it should never get to a point of fighting.

“I think they’re ready to hit someone else. They’ve been hitting each other all summer long. They’ve been going at it.”

Cal’s list of sidelined players is growing. Wide receiver MIchael Calvin sat out with a sprained toe — “Nothing serious,” Tedford said — and safety Marcus Ezeff has a thigh bruise. That’s the same injury that forced Ezeff to miss four games last season. “We don’t want to push him,” Tedford said. “We want to make sure it heals properly.” Running back Tracy Slocum has a case of turf toe.

The only injured player to return to practice was backup defensive back Jesse Brooks, who was having a pretty strong camp before suffering a concussion during Thursday’s scrimmage.

Tedford doesn’t expect cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson back soon. “He’s very uncomfortable right now,” Tedford said. Thompson is out with a sprained shoulder and Tedford said it was unlikely he would play in Tuesday’s scrimmage.

The Bears will have another full-pad workout Sunday afternoon.