BearTalk

Here’s more of what linebacker Dan Camporeale had to say Saturday after winning a starting job:

On his expectations going into camp:

“I didn’t really have any expectations going in. I just knew if I went out there and kept trying, kept working, like I’ve been doing every since I’ve been here, I was going to get my opportunity. I finally got it.”

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Jeff Tedford said today that redshirt sophomore Dan Camporeale will be one of Cal’s starting outside linebackers next Saturday in the season-opener against Fresno State.

Camporeale, a walk-on, beat out senior Ryan Davis and freshman Cecil Whiteside for the job. Tedford said the team moved freshman Chris McCain to the other side to back up starter Dave Wilkerson.

“He’s very solid with assignments,” Tedford said of Camporeale. “He’s strong and can run. He’s been here for awhile. The other guys are fairly new. But it says a lot about him, about who he is and what he’s worked to become.

Camporeale started getting some reps during spring practice and continued to be steady even after McCain’s eye-opening first couple of days of camp. Davis began spring practice as the starter at that position.

“I didn’t really have any expectations going in,” Camporeale said. “I just knew if I went out there and kept trying, kept working, like I’ve been doing ever since since I’ve been here, I was going to get my opportunity.

“I felt like the opportunity was there. It was just up to me to prove myself and make sure I knew my stuff and go out there and work on my technique every day and prove that I can see some playing time this year.

“It was all based on me going out there and playing like I know I can. I know I can play at this level.”

RB Trajuan Briggs, who wasn’t one of the 105 players invited to training camp, is back with the team now that classes have begun.

I talked with coach Jeff Tedford today for some season preview stuff I’m working on and we also discussed some personnel updates following the final scrimmage yesterday:

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Yesterday’s scrimmage signaled the end of training camp. Cal now won’t practice again until Thursday. That will be the Bears first practice of the regular season. Game planning for Fresno State will commence and scout teams will be formed.

Cal held its second and final scrimmage of training camp today. Unfortunately, I don’t have too much to report on it because not only was the scrimmge closed to the media, there was no media access with any coaches or players afterward.

According to a tweet by backup defensive back C.J. Moncrease, the scrimmage was held at Candlestick Park, where the Bears will play Fresno State in their opener on Sept. 3.

The next couple of days will be busy for Cal’s players, as they move out of the Claremont Hotel (where they have been staying for about a week) and into their dorms or apartments. Classes for the fall semester begin Thursday.

Now the question is whether the final scrimmage settled all of the remaining depth chart questions, especially if Allan Bridgford is indeed the second-string quarterback, what is the depth on the defensive line and who is the starting linebacker opposite David Wilkerson. We will soon find out.

Here’s a sampling of what was said during interviews for my feature that ran today about Jeff Tedford re-uniting with some of his old coaches this season:

COACH JEFF TEDFORD

On the effect it has had so far:

“I just think there is a lot of clarity on offense. We’re really used to each other. There is a comfort level there and a communication level there that’s really high.

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“2011 Cal Football Preview” airs on Comcast SportsNet California tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. The show features a sit-down interview with coach Jeff Tedford, a feature on the family flavor with quarterback Zach Maynard, his brother Keenan Allen and cousin Maurice Harris (both receivers). It also features linebacker Mychal Kendricks and D.J. Holt being mic’d up during a recent practice.

Ensuing replays of the show are:

• Aug. 24, 3 p.m.
• Aug. 25, 1:30 p.m.
• Aug. 26, 8 p.m.
• Aug. 27, 6 p.m.
• Aug. 28, 2:30 p.m.
• Aug. 31, 3 p.m.
• Sept. 1, 4:30 p.m.

Here’s a feature story I wrote for today’s paper, focusing on Jeff Tedford re-uniting with his old staff this season.

Here’s my notebook from today, focusing on defensive back Josh Hill and how he overcame academic troubles in the spring.