Football: From the press room
By Jonathan Okanes
Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 7:02 pm in Gameday.
Some quick hitters from postgame:
–Jeff Tedford obviously lamented all the plays for negative yardage. He also acknowledged the tough time the offensive line had protecting the pocket. He said Kevin Riley did OK considering the circumstances he was in.
–Tedford said Riley will start against Stanford.
–Tedford and the players talked about regrouping, that they weren’t going to allow themselves to endure another collapse like last season. Several players talked about the leadership and chemistry on the team being different this season.
–Linebacker Zack Follett said it’s good that the Bears are playing Stanford next week, because there will obviously be the inherent motivation. But he said it didn’t matter who the Bears play. They should be motivated anyway.
–Follett was incensed after the game with the lackof holding calls against Oregon State. He said “these refs were horrible,” also noting that this isn’t the NFL so he won’t be fined.
–Jahvid Best commented on his dropped screen pass in the fourth quarter that looked to be set up for a big gain. He said he was already thinking touchdown, and that’s what probably got him in trouble.
–Best said it was his choice whether to return kicks or not. On the kicks in which Jeremy Ross was the returner, Best got to be on the field on first down. When he returned kicks, he wasn’t on the field on first down.
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November 15th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
any word on the injuries?
November 15th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Riley played well…what game was telford watching???
November 15th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
That was one very disappointing game. That’s two weeks in a row that Cal was in the game for much of it, but the offense couldn’t get into gear. It’s all about execution, too. I predicted at the beginning of the season that the defense would carry this team, but I didn’t think the offense would still be in this quagmire.
Still, I’m even more disappointed with the new format of this blog. I really enjoyed reading JO’s perspectives after the game. However, if one isn’t standing in front of a computer before and during the game, it’s a pain to find those post, especially with a Cal BBall game on the same day. You guys really need to rethink the format of this blog unless your aim is the lesson the readership.
Follett gave the best quote on the radio after the game. He basically guaranteed a win against the Furd. As $C dominated them, I don’t think Cal should have a problem in doing the same.
Go BEARS!
Cut down the trees!
November 15th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Hate to disagree with you Oski, but Stanford is going to give the Bears loads of problems next week. For one, they are a lot tougher across the line than Cal and will try and pound the ball down our throats with a power back that reminds me a lot of Tommy Vardell. Remember what he did to us?
I made a prediction back in September that our kicking game would cost us at least one key game, and it certainly came true today. A guy who can consistently kick the ball into the endzone on kickoffs is as valuable as anyone on the team. Look at what that brute is doing for the SC Trojans. You gotta love Georgio because he makes for good copy, but his miserable leg today set the tone early and led to Cal’s downfall as much or more than anything, IMHO.
Also, it is clear to me that our makeshift offensive line is the number one reason for the offensive woes. Donovan Edwards may be good someday, but he is not ready for primetime. The troubles began when the starters started going down with injuries. Riley never looked comfortable the whole game for a good reason.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
finally, someone calls out the officials. good for follett. i’m tired of this crap. what’s the point watching games anymore? anyone see u$c? #26 was back at it again. almost ripped a guys head off. did rip the helmet off. no call. riley got screwed on his pass. they called it a fumble. same thing happened to oregon state. the call there? incomplete pass. they broke up another big play on a best run, calling a phantom holding on our fullback. the worst of it all, tedford was right back at it, run run pass. finally runs a trick play, and we get a td. takes a knee with a minute left in the first half? no fire, no drive, no desire to win. no wonder we lost. calling timeout in the second half, early, may have cost us a chance at a final drive. tedford needs to go. the officials were pathetic, and yet, we still almost managed to win. someone teach the DBs how to catch. three dropped picks in this game, again. unacceptable. pathetic. a waste of a saturday afternoon.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
“Follett was incensed after the game with the lackof holding calls against Oregon State. He said “these refs were horrible,” also noting that this isn’t the NFL so he won’t be fined.”
Good for him. I thought the same thing, and then they make that RIDICULOUS call on Will to wipe out a big gain and 1st down. What a waste of time.
November 15th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
JO - I agree with Oski on the blog format. Basketball coverage is overwhelming football coverage. Any way your IT folks can splice the site with separate tabs or something?
November 16th, 2008 at 1:54 am
The Bears Line collapses with mostly rookies, and there goes the QB too. Riley were sacked many times. And, the Receivers were not sharp either. a few occasion that the ball right in the hand of the receiver and the ball dropped. Hold on the the ball dawn it.
The defense did good, but, the receivers need to step up. Can’t just rely on the running game to win the game. And, more trick plays please. It worked. Perfect play from Ross to Boatang.
Sucks were the refs of PAC-10, too. Gave the touchdown to a play that was oviouly death on the ground, Thank God that it was reversed, and so on…..Um! Maybe they were paid by the osu. One call that made me mad was that a late hit from Follet. He had no choice to stop, he was at full speed and in the last split second the running was still on the field.
Any how this one got away just like the last one did.
Go Bears!
November 16th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Tedford is wrong on this one. Nate should start. Not because he gives us the best chance to win, but because it’s the right thing to do for a guy who’s been a good soldier, and at this point the season is a chase for the best “who gives a damn” bowl. We crush the damned Huskies the following week anyway, so if he’s healthy, let Nate have his day.
This comes from someone who’s said for a couple of years that Nate is the wrong guy to be at the helm. But I am STILL proud of the young man, who’s tried his best. And I think that should be rewarded.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:50 am
What we saw Saturday was an inexperienced team that looked more like they were playing the 1st game of the season, not the 10th. Perhaps more distressing, the team that showed up Saturday is going to find it *very* difficult to beat either Furd OR an inspired Dawg team in their last game of the TW era.
It isn’t THAT Cal lost — the better coach and the better team won — it is HOW they lost. This was just a plain awful exhibition of coaching and wasn’t worthy of the University of California and one can be certain that this fact hasn’t gone unnoticed by those alums paying Tedford’s ginormous salary. Tedford has been at Cal longer than any coach in modern history but look for that to change if he finishes 6-6. Said alums won’t kick him out the door, but they sure will open it for him. Wide. With vacancies among both local pro teams, there will likely also be a vacancy at Cal in the coming months unless this team suddenly starts playing like it’s been coached. And at this point, that’s pretty doubtful.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:14 am
The rantings against Tedford are ridiculous. Apparently some of you don’t remember pre-Tedford Cal football.
Tedford didn’t drop the screen pass on third down, Jahvid Best did. Follett made the hit out of bounds,not Tedford, and the runner was clearly out. I knew he’d be called as soon as I saw it.
Veran Tucker dropped a perfect 55-yard bomb from Riley that would have been first down inside the ten. Just flat dropped it. Morrah dropped a critical third down conversion right in his chest. He took a tough hit but he has to hang on. The coaches put Cal in position to win but the players didn’t come through.
The line has collapsed because of injuries. Not much you can do about that. It has hurt the running game and pass protection. Riley has been inaccurate sometimes and the receivers have been bad all year. Still, it’s a young team and they will be better next year I think.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:51 am
People are going to say what they want about Riley. Andy why yes he did miss some throws but the recievers dropped some critical balls. Tucker dropped that perfect deep ball, Morrah dropped that critical 3rd down, and Best looking for the endzone before he caught that screen. The recievers have to make plays as well.
Another thing but the play calling especailly yesterday was absolutley horrible. 2 and 29 on your own fifteen and you run a reverse??? That was the best play call you could make in that situation?? And it seems like every other play they were running screens of which 1 gained possitive yardage. I know it’s easy to sit at home and say they should’ve done this or they should’ve done that but it is costing them games. Throw short to TE’s, get Best or Vereen out in a flat (no more screens), design some runs for Riley, It seems like everyone else does against Cal why can’t the bears??
Only play call that was perfect yesterday was the double pass out of the diamond formation. I’m a Bear guy all the way but they need to be on lookout against the Cardinal next week. It will be a tight game.
Las Vegas or Sun Bowl?? Bye bye Holiday Bowl.
Roll on you bears
November 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I have been of the opinion that Tedford should not be replaced. However I am beginning to change my mind. Stanford has definitely turned the corner and now are a better team than you are. Looked at the monster year they are having in rcruiting. PUCLA turned over its coaching staff and even though the 1st year results are putrid it was expected. Things won’t stay that way and they too are bringing in a monster class. UW will be hiring a new HC and although they will continue to be trashed things won’t stay the same there. ASU and Erickson will get the job done but he maybe too old and college football may have passed him over. Oregon State gets more from less and you can expect them to start recruiting top rated players with the program going up. The only team which hasn’t seemed to improve and appears to be regressing other than WSU is you guys. Tedford maybe Kurt Ferentz Part 2.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Hey Amy,
Our team was 2 hours away, and you couldn’t make the effort to ask daddy for the money and a ride? There’s no “our” or “we” in these replies, just a constant reminder of your pathetic exile.
OSU is going to win-out, and we are going to be headed for San Diego. No thanks! Pete really blew it, this year.
We still don’t miss you on the Scout boards.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Officials: Referee: Jack Wood; Umpire: Timothy Morris; Linesman: Edwin Walker;
Line judge: Manuel Alonzo; Back judge: Steve Hudson; Field judge: Scott Monaco;
Side judge: Bernard Samuels; Scorer: M. Woodard;
Steve Hudson should be fired. He is the back judge that allowed that TD to be called on the field even though he was looking right at the play and had to see that ball hit the turf. Luckily it was reversed, but jeez man, do your job!
Pac-10 has, BY FAR the worst officials that make horrendous mistakes every week. Can we trade up to some MWC refs?
November 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am
This team is an average Pac 10 team. No more no less.
It’s four loses (MD, AZ, SC, OSU) came to better teams, all on the road.
Four wins game against inferior teams (CSU, AZ ST, UCLA, WSU).
It won two tosssup games at home (MSU , O).
Stanford is a tossup game and Washington should be a win.
An 8-4 regular season record would be an accomplishment given the talent on this team.
November 16th, 2008 at 10:16 am
AmyFan4Life Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Hey Amy,
OSU is going to win-out, and we are going to be headed for San Diego. No thanks! Pete really blew it, this year.>>>>We still have a chance for a BCS game. Every team would love to play us and we were getting bored with playing in the Rose Bowl every year.
We still don’t miss you on the Scout boards.>>>> Then look closer.
Enjoy watching “your” team make your rival Stanford bowl elligible next Saturday for the first time in many many years.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Moron:
Link us to morencsarecoming on the scout board. You know — posting under an sn where you have to hide that you are amy is just as good as banning you.
POST AS MORENCSARECOMING, moron. You like making bets, don’t you? I bet you can’t do it.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Golden Bear Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Moron:
POST AS MORENCSARECOMING, moron. You like making bets, don’t you? I bet you can’t do it.>>>> How can I post with that sn when it’s not mine. Someone hijacked it and I haven’t had it for over a year on the new ESPN USC or the ESPN BI or the scout boards.
BTW nice for you to show up after two straight losses unlike last year when you went into hibernation after the choke job against OSU. And I do like to bet. How’s about putting one down saying that Stanford cleans up on your guys this year…again. It will should sting when you make them bowl eligible for the first time in 10 years.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
MoreNCsarecoming Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
“I do like to bet.”
Amy, You proposed we bet on who would be a bet QB, Big Ben or Carson Palmer. But, when I suggested you offer to leave this blog forever, you never replied. That was fortune for you, but you’re as much an $C fan as we have learned from your other half (AmyFan4Life) than you are a bettor. I’m glad your split personalities are still alive and well, though. If they’d ever meet, I’d hate to read your obituary “man known as Amy by Cal fans jumps off Sacramento Draw Bridge”.
Drop me a line on BearInsider, since you claimed you would never be silenced last year. Oh yeah, you have been silenced! Enjoy your stay at the CC Times and its new poor format.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Jan K Oski Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
MoreNCsarecoming Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Drop me a line on BearInsider, since you claimed you would never be silenced last year.>>>>>>> Never claimed that.
Oh yeah, you have been silenced!>>>>>> Wouldn’t know about that because I have not posted on either the new BI. I also have not posted on the scout BI since 2004.
Enjoy your stay at the CC Times and its new poor format.>>>>Seems like you enjoy it since your posts outnumber mine 2 to 1.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Pug,
I don’t think the rantings against Tedford are out of line. And I don’t know if we are even calling for him to be replaced. I know it must be hard to have 3 different OC in 3 years (ask Alex Smith of the Niners). But the bottom line is there’s something that our coaching staff is lacking.
I agree you can argue execution. It’s not Tedford and the coaches that are on the field and the mistakes/penalties do drive them nuts. But the last few years when I’ve seen CAL not get in from 1st and goal with the skill position players we had to last years debacle to this years NL/KR issue, I think the coaching staff needs to start figuring things out. If they don’t, you have to decide where you want the program to go. Of course we don’t want to go to the pre-Tedford/Tom Holmoe era, but are you happy being middle tier pac-10 team? I personally would like to see CAL get to the next level- in particular the BCS.
We should have been in the Rose Bowl last year. The coaching staff really messed that one up. And you have to look at what Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Jim Harbaugh, and others have done in short periods of time at their schools. So, if you think it’s always about the players and not the coaches think again. I think it’s equally as important, if not more important, to have the right guy at the helm. If you want proof, ask all those that voted for Obama.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I love how Moron thinks he can fool anyone. As if there is another obsessed SC wanna-be with low self-esteem and no law degree.
POST USING THE MORENCS name on the scout boards — you’be been asked but you can’t do it. YOU WERE BANNED.
SCrulesyou? Be careful what you ask for, amy.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Golden Bear Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
POST USING THE MORENCS name on the scout boards — you’be been asked but you can’t do it. >>>>> Don’t ask me. Ask whoever it was that had that sn and got banned.
SCrulesyou? >>>>> Yes they do.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Man, have the posts deteriorated. Losing is ugly, no two ways about that.
Also, why does an SC fan post her all the time? Do they have no life? Less than no life? He/She (he-she? probably) is more pathetic than the Bears were yesterday.
Tedford’s team is blowing another season. The mark of a well coached team is consistency and a team that plays at or above their abilities. Rarely do I feel watching the past 3-4 seasons that Cal does either. Kind of sad and disappointing.
I would not be heartbroken to see Tedford leave if Cal could land Chris Peterson of Boise State. Do you watch Boise State much? They are everything Cal isn’t. Consistently excellent with less talent than Cal. They’re fun, aggressive, and play inspired football. You know what, I’m inspired watching them play. I am not inspired watching my Bears anymore. I am VERY close to being so over Tedford. Coach “Play Not To Lose” Tedford.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Yep, I would take Chris Peterson over Tedford at this point. We all know we are going to get worked by Stanford and we might eek out a win vs. UDUB. That’s not enough Tedford. Sorry, it just isn’t. You make $2.5 mill and are you really producing like you should be?
He had the team quit on him last season, and they seem to be quitting again. Maybe not to such an extent, but they are definitely regressing. The play-calling, the not-to-lose mentality and die-on-the-road act is getting old.
If Peterson is available in the offseason, pay him $2.5 mill and let’s see what he can do with our talent and our athletic center being built.
Tedford got us out of Holmoe-oblivion, but he cannot turn the corner and outcoach anyone.
He’s been outcoached by Mike Stoops multiple times.
Mike Stoops.
Hairball will now own him too, after this weekend.
Maybe he and Nate can have a weekend getaway to Maui next spring, where they can reflect on how it all went down the drains, and he can critique Peterson, the new coach at the University of California.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Another QB, another late game TD pick.
This is getting to be a Cal Bear’s tradition
80 net yards rushing-65 yds on one run.
Oregon St has tough guys, some real playmakers at the skill positions and the best coach in the Pac 10. Cal hung in there, did great, but, just doesn’t have the talent. However, it looks good for next year.
The 3-4 defense is not a mystery anymore. Rushing teams have had great results recently against the 3-4.
Stanford is going to come hard; however, if the defense can keep Gerhart and Kimble from running around all day, and the defense can get the ball back to the offense often , I think Cal has a good chance to take this game.
If Cal takes Stanford and Washington, that will be an
8-4 season. Considering the level of talent and experience this should be considered a successful year.
The coaches did a good job in getting to 8-4 considering the QBs and WRs available.
All things point to a good 2009
November 16th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
As odd as it may seem, Cal still has a reasonable chance of getting to the Holiday Bowl and playing a really good Big 12 team like Kansas, Oklahoma State or even Oklahoma.
If Oregon State wins out, it goes to the Rose Bowl as advertised. In so doing, it would knock out Arizona and Oregon from Holiday Bowl contention. An 11-1 USC team more than likely would pick up an at-large BCS berth to either the Sugar or Fiesta bowls. That leaves an 8-4 Cal team for the Holiday Bowl provided it wins out convincingly against Stanford and Washington. As we know, Cal looks like a different team at home and is certainly capable of pulling it together.
If Oregon loses to OSU in its last game of the season, it would match Cal with a 6-3 Pac 10 record and 8-4 overall record. Cal would likely get the Holiday Bowl nod based on the head-to-head matchup and finishing the regular season with two wins.
Don’t know about you, but I could get a lot more psyched up about the Holiday Bowl compared to the Emerald Bowl or Vegas Bowl. I guess we have to root for Oregon State to win out.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Calduke,
I would have to disagree with you that we have the best coach in the pac-10. I would say Tedford is probably 4th at best. Based on what we are seeing in terms of playing at a high level and staying passionate at the game, I’d rank the top 3 as Carroll, Mike Riley, and Harbaugh. And mark my words, Neuheisel will get UCLA rolling as much as we don’t want that to happen. He’s just had a horrible year with injuries.
I agree with the other posts that Chris Petersen would be good for CAL to look at if we don’t win out the rest of the season (convincingly). Petersen has done an amazing job at Boise with definitely less recruiting power than the pac-10. Who can forget what he did his first year in the Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma. Wow!!!!
Let him get to CAL and I would love to see the trick plays galore in the Chris Petersen circus!!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
TEDFORD can’t win with future NFL’ers throughout his tenure at CAL.
marshawn, tha 1, a-rodgers, d-hughes, mebane, MACK. come on we’re here to compete in the PAC-10 and win championships.
not UNDERACHIEVE every year and have excuses abounding.
last year it was the bad attitudes, now this year it’s no execution on O.
hire LANE KIFFIN and let’s GET to the NEXT LEVEL.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Al, are you serious? Are you really serious? Look, your argument is specious. We might’ve had superstar players, but we don’t have a complete superstar team, a la USC. A few star players does not a football team make.
Think about it; what good is having Mack when the rest of the O-line is falling apart? Mack can hold off the man he’s assigned to, but what happens when Teofilo, Guarnero, and Tepper go down? What happens when Donovan Edward, with zip experience, has to come in?
What good is Tha1 when all our receivers are undersized speed demons that play their best when catching the ball in open space?
What good is A-Rod when star receivers Chase Lyman and Geoff McArthur are held in check, and the defense starts giving up points?
People calling for Tedford’s head are off their rocker. 04 and 06 were stellar seasons when our rosters were nearly “complete” (in terms of capability of players at all positions). 05 was no good when Ayoob couldn’t quarterback. 07 was no good when Longshore went down and our defense was obviously terrible. Losing 3 star receivers and having a decimated O-line nearing the end of this season, Cal is exactly where it should be: 6-4, on track for an 8-4 regular season. It’s even more impressive considering the shortcomings of the patchwork O-Line.
If Tedford goes, our program goes down the drain. Now that the SAHPC is getting built, our program can compete better with other top programs. If Tedford still can’t get us to the Rose, then, and EVEN THEN, MAYBE calling for his head would be justified. As of now, it’s inane.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:26 am
As much as I hate to admit it, NCs is not far off in his assessment of our team. Cal is not good, and we are regressing. We constantly seem to be making excuses for our poor efforts. JT obviously knew Riley was not the answer because he refused to play him last year. Now, we are seeing why. He is not a good QB. He constantly misses open receivers and his “mobility” does not impress me. Here’s hoping that B. Mansion is the answer, because let’s admit it, we do not have a QB that any of us can trust.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:32 am
…the bright side is that it is VERY good for the Pac-10 if OSU makes the Rose Bowl and ‘SC gets an at large BCS bid. Hopefully, OSU will represent vs. PSU and USC will kick the daylight out of some overrated SEC or Big12 Team. Plus, its a nice payday for our conference. I’m rooting for the Beavers the rest of the way….
November 17th, 2008 at 5:43 am
While I agree that Tedford hasn’t been getting the job done I think that we are being a little quick to give him the pink slip. Let’s remember who the main cog in getting the new facilities up and going at Cal. TEDFORD!! And while Chris Peterson has done a good job with less at Boise, let’s look at who they have played:
Idaho St.
Bowling Green
Oregon (who CAL has BEATEN 3 yrs in a row)
Louisiana Tech
Southern Miss
Hawaii
SJSU
New Mexico St.
Utah St.
Idaho
Nevada
Fresno St.
Not exactly world beaters. Let’s be honest we play in the Pac-10 and usually every year it’s the second or third best conference in the country (except this year of course). Tedford is 55-30 including this year in his career at Cal. And an average finish of 3rd in the conference. With the likes of USC and Oregon who are consistently top-25 teams and SC always in the thick of the BCS how much more can we expect. Cal was a play away from #1 and they collapsed with had a lot to do with the “ME” first guys in that locker room. This team is so young and the fact that they have a shot to go 8-4 is more impressive than anything. So no on Peterson and Yes on Tedford. Let’s not forget where this program was in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Two word: Tom Holmoe. Let’s not go back there.
Roll On
November 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Jake,
Perhaps my ‘wording’ was misleading. I did not mean Tedford was the the best coach; my intent was to say the Oregon State coach, Mike Riley, was the best in the Pac 10. Mike Riley gets the most out of the least talent and BTW, Oregon State has QB problems.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Dan the CAL Fan,
Boise St is in the WAC. They are head and shoulders above anyone in their league. If they had to play week in week out in the PAC 10, they would not be undefeated and would be looking at 3rd place just like the Bears. I’ll take Tedford. With young O linemen getting reps now, Best and Vareen returning, a more experienced Riley, and the emergence of Tucker and Boetang, CAL’s offense will be very explosive next season barring injuries. Calm down people. If you expected a Rose Bowl at the start of this season, you are delusional. Tedford is the right man for the job at Cal.