Quarterback update
By Jonathan Okanes
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm in upcoming game.
Cal coach Jeff Tedford said today he doesn’t plan on playing Nate Longshore against Washington State on Saturday, meaning, for now at least, it looks like this is Kevin Riley’s team.
“Kevin earned it last week,” Tedford said.
Riley started last Saturday’s season-opening 38-31 win over Michigan State and was 17-for-24 for 202 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Longshore played two series in the second quarter, each of which ended with interceptions. The second pick was returned for a touchdown.
“Nate made a very poor decision on the second interception,” Tedford said. “The first interception was a defensive back making a great play. But Kevin played well enough to be the guy. I’m not a huge fan of going back and forth.”
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September 2nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Good decision by Coach Tedford. Cal has to take advantage of the opportunity to start developing Riley’s control of the offense and rhythym with his receivers early on in the season, as opposed to allowing a QB battle to stretch on for weeks.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Can Longshore quit, seat out the year and then enroll in a D II division type team. It seems to be unfair to him and would just about kill his professional chances.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
thank goodness…longshore has no shot at the pros, his problems are all mental.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Not a bit surprised, but I generally refrain from judging any fb coach since I’ve never been one and don’t know all the angles.I would guess that perhaps Riley pushed himself into the starting role, which may not have happened if it had been a sure thing; Tedford kept his promise, which is important for a variety of reasons - you gotta back up your QB’s, and Longshore, having been here for what, almost five years? deserved the chance (even after last year)to push Riley some more, and he simply blew it.
Lately, most teams have needed at least two QB’s…as someone else mentioned, Nate screwed up but is still an important part of the team and shouldn’t be booed
- you might as well root for the opposing team during the game.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I realize that Nate is still the #1 backup at this time. At some point in the season doesn’t Tedford have to start giving Mansion or Sweeney some playing time? Otherwise, when Longshore graduates we are back in the position of having no experienced backup to Riley.
If we were to get a large lead, isn’t it kind of demeaning to Nate to be the “mop Up” guy? If he does okay, big deal. If he should throw an interception, it’s a big step backwards and another blow to his confidence.
I think Nate is important to the team but should only play if Riley gets injured or plays awful. He doesn’t need playing time for the sake of experience; he has two years worth already. Use any “mop up” minutes to develop the young QB’s.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Steve, interesting point about using a commanding lead as an opportunity to play our up-and-coming QBs vs. Longshore. We’ve been so focused on the Riley/Longshore contest, that point hadn’t crossed most of our minds. It sucks for Longshore, but when we have a commanding lead in a game I really think we need to start developing Mansion and allow him to take ‘real game’ reps. It’s true, he is the post-Riley future and we need to get him some experience sooner rather than later. Nice point Steve.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I think it’s too early to start talking about mop-up duties. Let’s get to a point where Cal is blowing someone out of the water first.
And Longshore is very critical to the team. He is a veteran. He is the same guy who guided us to 5-0 and #2 rank last year. Do you really think he totally forgot how to play all of a sudden? I would not be surprised if Coach Tedford uses him to spell Riley if Riley gets in a funk. This is not to mention the fact that injuries are always an issue, as we all saw last year. Yes, Riley is clearly the #1 guy now. But Nate is far from done, I think.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I feel bad for Nate, really. He had a chance to go to the NFL starting his junior year. Kiper had him rated very high, and he had a chance to skyrocket his stock with the offensive weapons and protection he had. Its just too bad he had to get hurt. At least he’s got a Cal education to lean on, he should be good. As for Tedford killing his pro chances, there’s a lot of good pro-style QBs out there. As well as longshore could do if give more opportunities, there’s no way he’s getting drafted in day one. He’d be extremely lucky to be a day 2 pick. He could always try out for a team and try his chances.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I was thinking the same thing. I think if we get a 28 point lead on WSU, Tedford will bring in Mansion for a few hand offs and maybe a few quick confidence-boosting screen/dump passes to the RBs.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
N8 isn’t finished yet, I am certain of that. I would still rather he play backup than Mansion, whose time will come. Based on the fall camp reports, Brock isn’t ready yet. He gets plenty of reps in practice, and while its not the same, remember KR had no practical experience before starting vs OSU last year and he did very well, despite the boneheaded final play.
N8 does need the reps, he needs to rebuild his confidence. We will need him before this season is over.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
SoCal’s Petros and Money show gave love to the Bears tonight. They also said that the new uniforms make them look like X-Men.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I think if there is ‘mop up’ duty to be had, Longshore will still get first snaps. Regardless of how experienced he is, if the idea is to keep him as ‘ready’ as possible, you don’t want him on the bench the whole season. Certainly if we are fortunate enough to have a big blow out early enough, I could see Brock getting some snaps. Anyway, I hope the next time Longshore sees the field he won’t be greeted by boos - he is still a key member of our team!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Amazing how little loyalty any of you show to a dethroned QB. Longshore played hard for you guys and now you are content to throw him under the bus. Do you know why SC continues to get loyalty out of its players?
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Loyalty???
What the heck are we suppose to do? How many picks should we give him before we bench him? Should we ignore the fact that Riley set the house on fire in the Armed Forces Bowl and was the MVP? Should we ignore the fact that Riley is more mobil, has a stronger arm, is just as accurate if not more, has more poise, and has 10x the confidence NL has right now??? You must coach one of the other teams in the Pac 10.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Please! I’ve heard disappointed SC fan’s grumble that “they’re only going to the Rose Bowl.” That’s loyalty?
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 pm
MaddenDude–
Longshore has always struck me as a guy who could be very good at the college level but would never make it in the pros. Cal seems to have had a lot of quarterbacks like that. Great Cal career; absolutely no success in the pro game. I’m thinking about guys like Mike Pawlawski, Pat Barnes and Troy Taylor…guys you probably never heard of.
To be a good pro quarterback requires a complete package of skills: strong arm, accuracy, mobility, good decision making, toughness and leadership.
Some team will probably give Nate a look in a late round or as a free agent. Hopefully, he makes the most of his opportunity.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:32 am
LOVED the new punter, that guy’s a keeper ….. but what’s the deal on the new kick-off guy? Unless they were TRYING to kick it high and to the 25-yard line. What do you guys think?
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Well, moron — in Reggie’s case the loyalty was bought when the coaching staff pretended not to see his agent in the locker room or wonder how his poor family kept flying to games and getting new suits. Then there was the coaching staff pretending they didn’t know the poor roommate was living with Matt L in an expensive condo. Then there was…..you get the picture.
How about your loyalty, Moron? How come you keep posting on Cal team blogs, but I don’t see you posting on any USC blogs in a souther cali paper. And you attend Cal games and not SC games. Why not use that big lawyer salary to fly down and…ooops, that’s right. Sorry — forgot you didn’t finish CalStateDavis law school.