Checking in after Week 1 of Fall Camp (Offense)

The following aren’t firsthand observations, but rather, are simply a collection of thoughts from media practice reports, with my own guesses for good measure.

Quarterback
For the first time in a while, quarterback competition isn’t really in issue. In fact, it’s not so much a question of whether RS senior Kevin Riley will start, rather it’s a matter of how improved Riley will be in fifth and final year at Cal. So far, we’ve been hearing nothing but good things, with reports that Riley has worked harder than he has in any off season, and is subsequently in better shape both mentally and physically than in previous years. He also appears to have the full support of his teammates, and head coach, with the latter being particularly important to his focus and attitude approaching this season.

RS Sophomore Beau Sweeney still seams to have a grasp on the backup QB spot, playing well enough to continually take most second string reps, but nothing extraordinary enough to get Riley shaking in his boots.

RS Junior Brock Mansion has been off and on in practice, with reports of inaccuracy still being an issue for the Texas native who still hopes of competing for the backup role.

RS Freshman Allan Bridgford is throwing again, a good sign following his offseason shoulder injury which sidelined him for his redshirt year. While he’s unlikely to challenge for the backup role, it’s good to see him beginning to regain strength and confidence in camp.

Finally, while true freshman Austin Hinder is likely headed for a redshirt year with the number of QBs in front of him, reports have been positive about his accuracy and throws on the run. It’s that athleticism that shows he can be a real star in the league if he can refine his throwing motion and add some weight to his 6’5 frame with a redshirt year.

Fullback
Expected starter Will Kapp hasn’t participated in Fall Camp yet due to effects from a concussion suffered during offseason workouts, but is expected to join camp any day now. It will be interesting to see the competition for the starting spot shake out given how well sophomore FB Eric Stevens has reportedly been in camp. Walk-on Nick Dumont and John Tyndall have also received kudos. My guess is that if Kapp can get well soon, he has a good shot of emerging as the opening day starter.


Runningback
In a slightly worrisome, but in no way alarming matter, expected starter Shane Vereen has yet to take a snap in camp as he continues to nurse a sore hamstring. He has been conditioning during practices and should be returning to practice by Thursday.

It’s not as if the team needs to find out what Vereen is capable of. In fact, I doubt Vereen would get that many significant reps in scrimmage situations to reduce wear and tear on his body before the season even begins. Instead, it would be nice to ensure that Vereen is in complete football shape and has shaken any rust before the season gets underway.

However, in one of the more interesting camp battles, we are still in the early process of seeing who will emerge as the number two back behind Vereen. True Sophomore Isi Sofele seems to slowly taking a hold of the spot, although we aren’t anywhere close to seeing it set in stone. The 5’8 tailback has put on some extra weight of muscle in the offseason and received a significant number of reps in spring ball. I’ve been saying for a while that Sofele is looking more and more the part of a back who is capable of getting 15 carries a game if called upon. The biggest issue will be his ability to pick up the blitz in pass protection which is admittedly his weakest aspect of the game yet. Still, it’s amazing to see his progress given that Sofele was much regarded as a change of pace scat back upon entering into Cal.

Fans are also excited about RS Freshman Dasarte Yarnway’s bid for playing time, as the 6 foot, 223 bruiser has the ability to be the physical presence in the running game that has been missing at Cal since Marshawn Lynch’s days with the Bears. Look for Yarnway to come in during short yard or goal line situations. If Yarnway can continue refine his game by lowering his pad level and learning the offense, he very well could sneak into the number two spot.

RS Soph Covaughn Deboskie-Johnson has been out for a number of practices with a concussion, and will have to battle a bit for the number two spot in the rotation. Debo was the number two back last season after Jahvid Best went down, but lost valuable practice reps to Sofele and Yarnway. I actually liked what I saw from Debo last year, as he showed good athleticism and burst when running the ball in a reserve role. We’ll see if he can do enough consistently to outshine Sofele for the number two spot.

Finally, I would bet on true frosh Trajaun Briggs redshirting, but he also brings an incredible physical presence to the running game at 5’11, 215 pounds. It may not be this year, but this guy is going to be a stud for the Bears.

Wide Receiver
The biggest story in the wide receiver side of Fall Camp has regarded the class of incoming freshman. We all knew highly regarded Keenan Allen was going to play right away, and he’s been as good as advertised, showing nice hands and athleticism.

The question marks though, were with the other WR recruits who had varying levels of acclaim and recruiting pedigree heading into Cal. All of them have looked very good in camp apparently, and it’s looking like four of them might play as true freshman this year. Tevin Carter and Colemon Edmond both bring an exciting combination of size and speed, each being at least 6’1 and both track stars in their own right.

The most pleasant surprise has been the emergence of Kaelin Clay however, the Long Beach Poly grad who has really impressed with his shiftiness and speed on the practice field. I was actually most impressed with his game tape of all the WR recruits (aside from Allen’s), but thought he would need an extra year to add some size to his 5’9 frame. Apparently his playmaking ability might be a bit too much to resist though.

Terrance Montgomery has received as much press as his peers, and I’ve read reports that he’s a bit stockier than some had imagined he would be. Not to say that he might not turn to be a good one for the Bears, but he doesn’t appear to be as sure of a bet to play as a true frosh.

Tight End
Junior Anthony Miller continues to catch everything thrown his way, and sophomore Spencer Ladner has impressed quite a bit in camp, despite being held out of weekend practices with an injury.

In a more interesting note, Tedford has stated that true frosh Jacob Wark is likely to play as a true frosh this year, which only speaks to his ability given the depth at the position with both Savili and Sparks available as backups.

Offensive Line
I was slightly constipated for a few days while waiting on the severity of Matt Summer-Gavins’ knee injury incurred on the second day of practice. I was “relieved” upon finding out that it was merely a bruise, and that he’d return in about three weeks. His expected return date is likely to be the first practice week of the season which puts his availability for the season opener at UC Davis in question. It makes sense to me though to let him fully recover, and get him ready to play against Colorado the following week. Unlike spring camp though, it’s looking like MSG will stay at left guard alongside Mitchell Schwartz who makes the shift over from right to the left tackle.

If MSG is unable to go, sophomore Brian Schwenke is likely to take first team reps at left guard, and may ultimately battle Justin Cheadle for the RG spot. Dominic Galas is also in the mix for either the guard or center spot, where he is said to be battling incumbent starter Chris Guarnero.

Finally, the all-purpose o-lineman Donovan Edwards is likely to start at right tackle. Edwards has played nearly every position on the o-line in practice, even taking reps at tackle in spring ball. Edwards is said to have matured physically a bit since his sophomore year season in which he started at RT. I thought he really developed a bit towards the end of the 08 season, showing some nice athleticism in blocking downfield for Best. It will be exciting to see what he can do back at RT this year.