Depth Chart Released

Cal released their current depth charts for offense, defense, and special teams on Friday. Above their is a link to a page I created with the most current status of those depth charts. When I get back from LA I will update that page with links to each player’s profile. Also, beginning Monday, I will start looking at position battles and how the incoming freshman and transfer class will affect those battles.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Marv Jones Likes the Ladies

Incoming Cal freshman wideout Marv Jones likes to sign.  He likes to grind on the dance floor.  And, he likes to record himself and put the videos up on Youtube.  I’ll give Marv points for not caring what people think – especially if it brings him the ladies.  But, after watching these, you gotta think Zack Follett and maybe Worrell Williams are gonna have a little fun at Marv’s expense.

Am I the only one who thinks of Marv Levy every time I hear or read the name Marv Jones?

We’re Almost There

The clock is ticking down and we are a little less than two months from kickoff.  I have been derelict in my blogging duties as of late because of an upcoming bar exam and a possible move.  When those things are settled, it’s full throttle.  Until then, here is Cal’s new ticket promotion that got me a little psyched this afternoon:

Holding Pattern

No way will I attempt to replicate the reporting done by CGB. Frankly, it is a lot easier to pull that off with a blog that has multiple authors and community features. On the other hand, I can do what most blogs tend to do, peddle reactionary commentary to the self loathing Cal masses.

Last Wednesday, Judge Barbara Miller ruled that, for the most part, the University of California complied with CEQA and Alquist-Priolo. Most importantly, the SAHPC is a separate entity from California Memorial Stadium (CMS), the University adequately took into account biological and anthropological consequences, and the SAHPC is not located on a fault line.

Despite the University’s almost total compliance, Judge Miller did find that three elements to the SAHPC constituted alterations to CMS and the University did not provide an adequate explanation for the need to stage more non-football related events at CMS.

With regard to the alterations, the University must file a Writ of Mandamus to determine whether the valuation of the three proposed alterations exceeds 50% of the value of CMS.

The Plaintiffs allege (1) the proposed alterations will cost the University in excess of $200 million and (2) that CMS is worth nothing. The University on the other hand says the alterations will actually cost around $250 thousand and CMS is worth nearly $600 million. It’s extraordinarily unlikely that Judge Miller would disagree with the University’s alleged cost of the alterations, all they have to do is provide the price quotes they have already received from their contractors.

The debate is whether the University is worth anything at all. Common sense would say of course the University is valuable. In fact, a strong argument could be made that CMS is priceless given its placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, even Judge Miller tipped her hand by (1) discounting any application of replacement cost as a valuation method and (2) indicating that California Evidence Code (CEC) section 820 may be more appropriate. Specifically, CEC 820 measures the cost of replacing the existing improvements less whatever depreciation or obsolescence the improvements have suffered. While the former method would without question support the University’s position, the later method is not prohibitive either.

Given the strong likelihood that the University will provide an adequate valuation method showing they have complied with Alquist-Priolo, the real impediment to the project is that the injunction preventing Cal from breaking ground is still in place. As of today, although University officials remain optimistic that the injunction will be lifted any day, some commenters have pointed out that an all out appeal might result in a stay, again prolonging the project for at least another year.

The prospect of delay should strike fear into the hearts of every Cal football fan. Already the costs of delay have resulted in prolonging the embarrassment that are Cal’s facilities. The scariest aspect of delay is the potential departure of Jeff Tedford. The University’s failure to break ground may leave the ever patient Tedford with no choice but to move on to a more hospitable environment (i.e. anywhere but Cal). And, honestly, who could blame him for moving on if this project is delayed 12, 18 or 24 months?

There is however yet another glimmer of hope: the prospect of settlement. The City of Berkeley simply cannot afford a drawn out appeals process. Most likely, neither can the Panoramic Hills Association and Save the Oaks. While there is probably nothing the University can do to appease the tree sitters, they can provide carrots to the other plaintiffs (i.e. limiting the number of non-football events at CMS and giving the City money that would cover their legals costs and then some). Whatever the University chooses it has to be expedient. As important as Sandy Barbour is to Cal athletics, Jeff Tedford is exponentially more vital.

Cha-Cha-Cha-CHa-Changes

Ryan Anderson, out.

I really don’t have much to add beyond what has been said over at CGB. But, while I think Monty is going to have a much harder time turning things around, I still think there is enough talent on the team to improve. A lot of the improvement will have to come from the point position, but I have to think more Boykin is a better thing. And, Theo’s defense will fit Monty’s system perfectly.

Trees . . . out or in?

As of 3:24, we are all waiting a ruling from Judge Miller and wasting away our day at work. Thank you Judge Miller for lowering my productivity level to about zero.

Blinn Junior College, in.

Cal continues it’s raid of under-recruited Texas players by landing Jarred Price for next year’s class and Bryant Nnabuife for this year’s class. While Price is a somewhat undersized LB’er that only has 2 to play 2, Nnabuife is a 6’2″ DB that will have a chance to play this year and has 4 to play 3.

When Steve Levy Attacks

This will be hard for some of you to accept, but former Cal QB3 Steve Levy recently [allegedly] battered our beloved Oski. You’re probably saying to yourself, “This guy is out of his mind, isn’t Levy in jail for illegal beer mug disposal?” Well, I wish he was confined to a cold and lonely cell. Unfortunately, for Oski, when it’s grillin’ time, it’s killin’ time [allegedly]:

Goodbye Tom Hansen

Well, the good folks at Fire Tom Hansen get their wish, sort of. The AP is reporting that Hansen will retire, effective July 1, 2009. No word on replacement candidates.

For most Cal football fans, this is pretty good news. For too long the Pac-10 brethren have suffered from a lack of leadership. Despite the recent resurgence of USC as a national power, the reputation of the Pac-10 has fallen considerably, with regard to football. Continually, Pac-10 teams have been hurt by the BCS despite worthy resumes (e.g. Oregon in 2001 and Cal in 2004). What those teams were left with was a bowl game beneath their stature. In most years that means a trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.

A great deal of this drop in prestige, in my view, is the result of poor national coverage. ESPN covers and reports on the games they put on the air. That means teams in the Big East and ACC usually get more coverage than they deserve. And, while the network plays lip service to the Pac-10, it undeniably hurts the conference when games on that network have been so few and far between up until very recently. Also, not having a second team play on New Year’s Day affects national perception of the quality of play out West. Although the Holiday Bowl does have the advantage of playing in prime time without any other competitor, not having the game on New Year’s day has led many to believe the conference fails to get the publicity it deserves for its solid bowl game track record.

26 years is a long time to hold any position, particularly a leadership position. Hansen likely did much greater work than I am giving him credit for, but I think every agrees – even Hansen – that is has been time to go.

The Powe Show

Leon Powe has impeccable timing.  On a night where his incredible path to the NBA would be featured at half-time, Powe scored 21 points in 15 minutes – again showing once again that the Celtics are MUCH better when Powe is on the floor.  While I was disappointed Leon and the Bears never made it deep into the NCAA tournament, he is without question one of my favorite Bears and yet another example of the quality of athletes and individuals Cal tends to recruit.

The Marshawn Situation

I’ve avoided talking about this because frankly, there isn’t much to talk about.  Marshawn’s car was involved in a hit and run and there is nothing in the police report that implies Marshawn was driving the vehicle.  I did want to reiterate what others have already said.  It is not obstruction of justice to not speak to the police.  That’s Marshawn’s constitutional right to remain silent.  The police have the responsibility to build their case to the point where they could charge someone.  After that, the burden falls on the prosecution to prove all the elements of the crime.  Marshawn does not have to help them in either endeavor.

 In addition, I also think the claim that Marshawn is receiving special treatment to be extraordinarily absurd.  So, if a car I own is involved in a hit and run, the police will hold a press conference to say the ball is in my court?  There are going to be articles in the Buffalo News that cast premature judgment and call for me to talk to the police, to forgo my constitutional rights?  I highly doubt it.

None of the above is meant to absolve whomever was responsible for the alleged crime.  If it is true and if the Erie County DA’s Office proves all the elements, then that individual should be held accountable.  Until then, let’s try to refrain from judgment, however hard that may be.

Top 5 Individual Performances (Offense)

Sorry about the sporadic posting but I am going to do my best to post 2-3 times per week from now until the team reconvenes. Until then there will be a bunch of posts using all too easy to write rankings. Today, I begin with the top 5 individual performances by a player on offense during the Tedford Era.

5. Adimchinobe Echemandu v. USC, September 27, 2003: Not the most statistically dominant game, particularly by a running back.  But, Echemandu was the engine behind Cal’s 34-31 over then #3 USC.  He ran the ball 34 times for 147 yards and found a way to move the chains time and time again.  While sentimental favorite Reggie Robertson is better known for his OT touchdown pass to Jonathan Makonnen, I’ll always remember Echemandu as the real star of Tedford’s greatest victory as head coach of the Golden Bears.

4. JJ Arrington v. Southern Miss, December 4, 2004: On ESPN, with the Rose Bowl on the line, JJ Arrington put in one of the finest performances ever by a Cal running back.  JJ carried the ball 31 times for 261 yards and almost single-handedly destroyed the Golden Eagles.  It capped off a regular season where Arrington ran for over 100 yards in every game, totaling 2,018 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns.  Finishing 8th place in Hesiman voting was no consolation prize for Arrington who watched Texas slip past Cal in the final polls and rip roses out of Cal’s hands.

3. Marshawn Lynch v. Washington, October 21, 2006: The signature Marshawn performance.  It was a game that should have never been close but then #11 Cal was down 17-13 in the fourth quarter.  Marshawn would have none of that.  With 1:52 remaining in the game, Lynch scored on a 17-yard run to put Cal ahead by 7.  Amazingly, Huskie backup QB Carl Bonnell connected on a 40-yard hail Mary with no time remaining to send the game to overtime.  Lynch scored on the second play of overtime and it proved to be the game winner.  In celebration, Marshawn attempted to ghost ride the injury cart and ended up a favorite for a lot of YouTube users.

2. Steve Levy v. Stanfurd, November 19, 2005: The 2005 quarterback controversy seems quaint compared to the current Longshore-Riley imbroglio.  After terrible performances against Oregon and USC, Cal fans were clamoring for change at quarterback.  With presumptive starter Longshore injured and Kyle Reed redshirting, Tedford was reluctant to put former fullback Steve Levy at the helm of Cal’s offense.  Tedford relented and Cal bounced back to win perhaps the most satisfying Big Game victory of his tenure.  Levy’s individual statistics were pedestrian, 10 of 18 for 125 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.  But, they were remarkable given it was Levy’s first collegiate start after the team dropped their previous two games and faced their cross-town rival.

1. Aaron Rodgers v. USC, October 9, 2004: Rarely do teams earn the sort of respect Cal received in the wake of their 23-17 loss to the Trojans in 2004.  Rodgers drove the Bears to the precipice of greatness only to fail with four chances at goal-to-go.  Out-gaining the seemingly invincible Trojans 424 yards to 205 and taking them down to their goal line officially put Cal on the national map.  What made the individual performance so noteworthy was the 23 straight competitions Rodgers threw to begin the game, tying the NCAA record – and, against one of the best pass defenses in the country.
 
Honorable Mention

Geoff MacArthur v. Stanfurd, November 22, 2003: Macarthur’s 2003 season stands alone as the greatest ever by a receiver at Cal. He broke Big Game records with 16 catches for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns. It completed a season that saw MacArthur gain 1,504 yards receiving and break single season records for 100 yard receiving games and 150 yard receiving games.

Aaron Rodgers v. VA Tech, December 26, 2003:  On national television and in Cal’s first bowl game since 1996, Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 394 yards, threw 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 more.  Cal’s 52-49 victory set the stage for the team’s 2004 preseason ranking at #14 and for their eventual run toward what should have been a Rose Bowl.  The game itself is perhaps one of the most exciting since Tedford arrived.  Cal initially fell behind 21-7, but the Bears stormed back to take a 42-28 lead into the fourth quarter only to cede the advantage with 3:11 left in the game.  On the subsequent FG winning drive Rodgers completed all three pass attempts, for 51 yards, leading Cal to its first bowl victory in 11 years. 

Marshawn Lynch v. BYU, December 22, 2005: Surprisingly, 2005 was Cal’s third most successful season, despite up and down play at the quarterback position.  Much of the reason for that success was came from Cal’s ground game led by Lynch and Forsett.  In the Las Vegas Bowl Marshawn was at his finest, running for a career-high 194 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns.  Cal’s strong end to the 2005 season made up for some of the emotional letdowns and setup yet another high preseason ranking the following year.

Desean Jackson v. Oregon, September 29, 2007: Jackson had several memorable performances and plays; but, as a receiver, he was at his best against the Ducks this past year.  He caught 11 balls for 161 yards and scored 2 second-half touchdowns.  The performance vaulted Jackson to the top of a lot of Heisman and was probably, for most of us, our last great memory of Desean in a Cal uniform.

Kevin RIley v. Air Force, December 31, 2007: To be honest, I thought of including Riley’s performance against Oregon State instead.  The Beavers were a more formidable opponent than Air Force and Riley’s fourth quarter is both legendary and infamous.  However, it’s impossible to ignore how effective Riley was against Air Force, leading Cal back from a 21-0 first-half deficit.  Riley was 16 of 19 for 269 yards, threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for another.  Just what Cal needed, more fire added to an already smoldering quarterback controversy and Tedford avoided his first losing season as Cal head coach.