Comments on: Football: Training camp report – Aug. 10

By: AERose

AERose — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:07:00 +0000

“i’d much rather see one of the younger guys play. this cycle of mediocrity has to stop.”

Agreeing for the sake of argument that there is a “cycle of mediocrity” in Cal quarterbacking, starting an inexperienced quarterback because the experienced quarterback is merely disappointing seems like it would more likely perpetuate that cycle than end it.

If Mansion is ready and Riley isn’t, Tedford will put Mansion in. If they’re both ready, then Cal’s hit the jackpot. If neither are ready, then Tedford will burn that bridge when he comes to it. Otherwise, Riley’s the starter.

For my part, I think Riley’s going to be the guy we need when the pressure is on.

By: konamike

konamike — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:38:32 +0000

rollonubears re Hagan drops: I agree but like John Madden says – “If cornerbacks could catch they’d be receivers.”

By: Davidson

Davidson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:20:43 +0000

We’re CAL fans, we worry about EVERYTHING.

On the flip side, if we had offensive TD after TD…then we would worry what was wrong with our Defense…

By: cal85

cal85 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:59:41 +0000

I agree with Abe. To quote AI, “it’s just practice”. Okay, maybe that’s not a good reference.

In all seriousness, having ups and down’s is okay at this stage. I think the biggest difference (especially for very critically trained Cal grads) is that internet has created an atmosphere of microscopic scrutiny. For better or worse, we can know what happens with almost every rep of practice. Consequently, we’re starting to decide the fate of the season based on training sessions. On the other hand, we don’t freak out about our secondary when the offense scores. Are they being equally inconsistent?

Yes, my hunch is that the QBs & WRs aren’t there yet, but be patient.

By: Bears

Bears — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:47:42 +0000

These reports are good but they don’t tell the whole story. Of course as a player you need to practice well because you do practice like you play. But what matters is what the team produces on game day. The team has not even put on full pads or gone live with pads. That will happen today for the first time and it won’t be perfect right away. Still a month until opening day and plenty of time to iron out any kinks.
No reason to worry about any position right now.
Everything I’m hearing from practice so far is that the D looks great and the O is way ahead of where they were and have the potential to be very very good.
Relax, this TEAM is going to be good and could be great.

By: abe

abe — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:36:10 +0000

i am beginning to wonder if the whole preseason expectation has some people on the team on edge considering the relatively high number of ‘blips’ we have had this year already, despite the fact that we are only 4 practices into fall camp. speaking of which don’t be discouraged fellow bear fans, it is indeed really early in camp, there is like 3.5 weeks of day in and out grueling work ahead, and i am sure the passing offense with hit full stride by the end of camp.

By: Davidson

Davidson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:33:10 +0000

Early in fall practice, the defense should be ahead of the offense. Even at the open spring practice, the defense just looked the part and was noticeably better than the O.

However, as things progress, I would hope that the offense “catches” up.

Also, if you remember, last year; it was Longshore that looked good in practice and then would come in and throw pick after pick. Riley is actually the one that is less turnover prone. He will take care of the ball.

By: rollonubears

rollonubears — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:46:38 +0000

hopefully, it’s just that our defense is that good, but for a group that practiced routes all summer, it’s rather embarrassing. unless riley is totally dominating by the end of camp, i’d much rather see one of the younger guys play. this cycle of mediocrity has to stop.

By: Goldenbearglory

Goldenbearglory — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:34:55 +0000

Our receiving corps really seems to have a case of the drops. Every report I’ve read talks about how the receivers have some highs, but a lot of lows. I was really hoping, after getting a year under the belt, the receivers would step up and hang onto the football.

Also, Riley seems to be up and down as well in every practice. It scares me that he seems to throw a pick or two in every practice – reminds me of what happened to Nate Longshore in the 2nd half of 2007 when he threw picks at the worst times to kill rallies.

By: MoreNCsarecoming

MoreNCsarecoming — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:20:59 +0000

Excellent reporting Ben. More good articles like the past few ones from JO and you should be enough reason for the CC Times to begin a fee process.

Rollonubears – now that was a funny statement!