Spring Preview: Offensive Line

(Dreaming of a return to dominance)

Cal's first Spring Practice was postponed to Thursday due to weather. Good call. Teams only get 15 during the spring, and you want to make sure you get good quality work in.

That don't stop me though. The only thing that does is laziness or apathy. Shooo...

Let's take a look at the offensive line.

2011 Position Wrap Up
By and large the offensive line seemed to be an improvement over 2010’s squad. During the last few regular season games, the Bears seemed to exude some of the tenacity that made offensive line coach Jim Michalczik’s squads famous.

Yet a closer look at the numbers makes you think otherwise.


Cal’s allowed a mediocre 28 sacks (2.15 per game for 73rd in the nation). This was actually a drop from former O-line coach Steve Marshall’s 2010 number (1.92).

And despite solid numbers from new starting RB Isi Sofele, the Bears posted their worst team rushing performance in nearly a decade, averaging just 154.85 rushing yards per game.

The unit also lacked the type of focus and discipline you’d expect from a Michalczik squad. The Bears were flagged an astounding 98 times, often times due to the offensive line’s false starts, clipping, or holding calls.

Moreover, the Bears’ offensive line was exposed as being at best mediocre when facing off against talented front sevens such as was the case against Texas in the Holiday Bowl.

So again while there were some encouraging moments, it was evident to everyone that line was still a work in progress, even by the season’s end.

With four-year starting blindside tackle Mitchell Schwartz off to the NFL, and the graduation of senior guard Justin Cheadle, the Bears look ahead to Year 2 of Coach M’s rebuilding project, looking to take major steps forward.

Spring Preview
There’s a lot of uncertainty behind the positions and a lot of possible shufflings. It’s almost like a really bad problem, of all the different permutations and/or combinations.

The biggest question will be who replace Schwartz’ position at left tackle. In terms of upper classmen, Bill Tyndall and Tyler Rigsbee were both the backups last year and will likely have the first shot. JUCO Junior Matt Williams hopes to earn some playing time after spending his redshirt season putting on some much needed weight and learning to deal with elite defensive linemen. And don’t count out redshirt freshman Brian Farley who walked on last year and reportedly impressed with the scout team.

An intriguing wildcard is early enrollee Christian Okafor who will be joining the team from spring practice. The “kid” is already 6’6, 315 pounds and is pretty much a grown ass man. He’ll need to catch on with the offense, but the coaches seem optimistic about his ability to learn quickly.

Bears’ fans will have to wait until the fall for freshman Freddie Tagaloa, another 300+ pounder with 6’7 size. The Salesian star has drawn the praise of nearly every coach that has come his way.

Matt-Summers Gavin is likely to man the other tackle spot. The returning senior starter just might be the Bears’ best offensive lineman, but he’s still not a natural fit at the tackle position. While he’s best suited as a guard, the Bears have far more depth in the interior, and will likely need his experience manning the right side of the line.

The guard and center position is where things get a bit more fluid. Brian Schwenke is likely to hold on to the left guard spot, but there’s a huge battle for the spot vacated by RG Justin Cheadle.

The coaches have been high on Alejandro Crosthwaite for a while, and I wonder if he’ll get any consideration at the tackle position given their need there.

Geoff Gibson is an absolute load, and has spent last season molding his 6’3, (now) 313 pound frame, and getting used to the speed of the game.

Also, don’t forget redshirt freshman OG Jordan Rigsbee who was the Bears’ best offensive lineman recruit just a year ago.

Sophomore Chris Adcock might actually be a favorite for the position, but he’ll be snapping the ball as a center, along with Mark Brazinski, with starter Dominic Galas missing his second spring due to injury.

Speaking of Galas, one could spend a bit of time speculating where he’ll end up. He certainly displays a lot of the tenacity and aggression you like to see from an o-lineman, but his snaps were all over the place all season. The coaching staff could consider moving Galas to the guard spot to make way for incoming freshman Matthew Cochran, who is likely the Bears’ center of the future. But at just 6’1, 286 pounds, you wonder whether he’d be able to handle the conference’s best defensive linemen.

The possibilities are endless. And that’s not even with addressing the rumor of seeing DE Gabe King at tackle. Say What?