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by
Joel Welser
#25 California Golden Bears
Pac-10
2006 Record: (10-3, 7-2)
Coach: Jeff Tedford (43-20 at California,
43-20 overall)
Starters Returning: 14 (7 offense, 5 defense,
2 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: RB Marshawn Lynch,
FB Byron Storer, OL Andrew Cameron, OL Erik Robertson
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Nate
Longshore, WR Robert Jordan, WR DeSean Jackson, TE Craig Stevens, OL Alex Mack,
OL Noris Malele, OL Mike Gibson
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Brandon Mebane,
DE Abu Ma’afala, DE Nu’u Tafisi, LB Mickey Pimentel, LB Desmond Bishop, CB
Daymeion Hughes
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Matt Malele,
LB Worrell Williams, CB Syd’Quan Thompson, S Brandon Hampton, S Bernard Hicks
Starting Specialists Lost: none
Starting Specialists Returning: K Tom
Schneider, P Andrew Larson
California’s offense will once again be explosive
with quarterback Nate Longshore suddenly being an experienced passer and a trio
of dynamic receivers returning. After beating Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl, the
program is on the verge of stepping beside USC in the Pac-10 pecking order. Yet,
for the team to prove they belong with the big boys, they will have to beat
them.
Offense:
Despite the loss of Marshawn Lynch, the offense
should be great. Running back Justin Forsett will not have a problem taking over
the majority of the carries. The 5-8, 186 pound Arlington, Texas native has
rushed for 1,625 yards as a backup the last two years. Behind a talented
offensive line led by Alex Mack, Noris Malele and Mike Gibson, Forsett will make
Cal fans forget about Lynch very soon.
However, it is not the running game that will make
the Bears offense click. Longshore threw for over 3,000 yards and completed over
60% of his passes in 2006. With that year of experience, bigger and better
things can be expected for the passing game in 2007. The return of DeSean
Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan will make Longshore’s job much
easier. For the third year in a row, the receiving trio will be a force in the
Pac-10 and opposing defenses will have a nightmare trying to cover all three.
Defense:
The defense is more of a concern. The defense wasn’t
spectacular last year, but did do a solid job game in and game out. The line
lost three starters, most notably tackle Brandon Mebane, and will have to depend
on some youthful options on the ends in Cody Jones and Tyson Alualu. Like the
line, the linebackers have some new faces hoping to make an impact. Worrell
Williams returns to anchor the linebacking corps and Justin Moye and Zack
Follett will be looked upon to replace the production of the departed Mickey
Pimentel and Desmond Bishop. Junior college transfers Devin Bishop and Alex Cook
will also battle for playing time.
The defensive backs lost their star, but the group
is still talented without the services of Daymeion Hughes. Syd’Quan Thompson
started opposite of Hughes last year and, as just a sophomore, is expected to be
the top corner. Another sophomore, Jesse Brooks is the favorite to man the other
side. While experience is a concern at the corners, safeties Bernard Hicks and
Brandon Hampton have the experience and skill to make sure the secondary remains
productive.
The Bottom Line:
At the least, the Golden Bears will be fun to watch.
The passing game has a ton of firepower and the running game is a big enough
threat to keep the opposing defenses honest. If the defense can find a few
quality replacements down the bench, Cal can compete with the schools in Los
Angeles for the conference title.
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