That sucks about the Baylor game. That was a big game. But believe me after my flight through the Newark Airport this weekend, I know ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL about inclement weather. Le sigh! But thats a story for ANOTHER DBD. ;)

- Got the best player in Oregon, who turned down Oregon and ’Bama for a team that currently has no O-line coach. Cal also received a verbal from a 240 lb FB who loves to run block. Not bad at all. We got help in areas where we needed it.

- As RoYB mentioned earlier, Colo. St. beat a decent Fresno team. That’s pretty good for a C+/B- OOC opponent that Cal handled easily.

- BYU (10-3) pulled a Choklahoma and lost to ‘Zona. Suddenly, the non-BCS teams (especially the Mtn West) looks a little suspect. BYU’s best win? UCLA. And they almost lost to Colo St and Washington. TCU’s best win? That would be BYU. Utah’s got a bit more cred, having narrowly beaten Oregon St (which was playing a short week and physical/emotional victory over $C), narrow win over TCU, and a win over BYU. So…their best win is what, Oregon St? BYU?

For Cal, this does two things. Their regular season opponents, Colo St. and Arizona, look better (Arizona significantly so). Also, the non-BCS teams suddenly have an aura of “hmmmm” cast over them. The 4 ranked BCS teams could easily lose 3 out of the 4 bowl games, and if the Boise St-TCU game is sloppy then all 4 teams might have the “loser” label attached with them. I’m thinking all of those sumsabitches could drop in the polls, increasing the likelihood Cal has a chance to enter the Top25. Ending the season as a ranked team would be a terrific accomplishment for this year’s team. This, along with lots of returners, could make Cal a Top 15-20 team entering the 2009 season. Good stuff all around!

Ron English hired as head coach of Eastern Michigan.

This is worse than drinking bad Egg Nog

Link.

For those who didn’t see it and want to lose their lunch…

anyone workingblogging? I’ve got bonds to make and break, so I’m headed to the fume hood.

oh yeah

that pertain to Carroll or Kennard. Preferably both. We want these all over the place

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00020297.html

don’t ask how I found it, please? Please!

Cal receivers eager to step up…next seaon

he Bears would love to get their downfield passing game in order Saturday to begin the offseason with some momentum. During the final two games of the regular season, Cal’s receivers totaled just 4 catches for 44 yards.

“It’s very important to finish strong because you take that confidence into the offseason,” Boateng said. “If you don’t finish on a big note, the offseason and the workouts are kind of down. I’m so excited about the team we’re going to have next year. The stuff we’re having problems with this year shouldn’t happen next year. We should just dominate everybody.”

Riley somewhat frustrated with season, Mansion looks forward to next year.

“It seems like a couple of things haven’t gone the right way,” Riley said. “One time, I’ll throw a bad ball when someone is wide open, and the next time, there’s a drop. It’s just the way it has worked, and I know I’ve got to overcome that and make more plays.”

That’s where Mansion could enter the picture. The 6-foot-5, 229-pounder is 3-for-6 in mop-up duty and has been inaccurate at times in practice. At least once a week, though, he does something with his legs or his arm that wows observers.

“He has a bright future and will compete for that position,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “He’s big, athletic and has a nice arm. He’s smart and a good leader. He has a lot of really fine qualities and has made a lot of progress in understanding of the offense.”

“I know they had a real need at the fullback spot this year and I’m confident that he can come in and make a big impact like JJ did, especially at fullback since he’s such an unbelievable blocker -and he’s never even really been taught how to block. Coach Gould does such a great job with those guys -teaching them the system and teaching them the technical aspects of blocking and what they saw on his highlight tape was this kid running around just blocking kids on instinct and blowing people up. Once this guy really learns how to block, he’s going to be a monster. He’s got great hands, runs the ball well and is a great athlete. Plus, they’ll get him there in the spring, get him in the system and get him ready to go.”

from BI

In that article, his coach at CoC said he runs a 4.6 40 and is 240 lbs. Since he can come in for spring ball he might even have a shot at starting, although I think Tyndall’s supposed to be pretty good too. I’m thinking danzig will have a run-blocking highlight reel up by 1-Oct.

that Isi Sofele committed yesterday, as reported by Rivals. Can you confirm this, Thoroughbred? I thought he was just offered by Cal, and I couldn’t find anything on his Rivals page.

here:

Durability 4 Broke right fibula in a car accident in the summer of 2005
Character 0 N/A

Seems to me like if you’re going to ding the guy for durability for having his fibula broken in an off-the-field incident, you might want to give him credit for his character which led to those circumstances.

THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA POINT!

Belotti might consider stepping down as coach after this season?

But Bellotti admits this could be his last game as Oregon’s head coach. Sometime after national signing day he will get away from it all, "go sit on the mountaintop." He’ll reflect, assess his options, reach a decision.

He’ll probably be back next season. Or else he won’t be.

"There’s always that possibility," Bellotti says. "I can’t tell you directly, ‘no.’"

Excellent piece on the trials and tribulations of running backs coach Ron Gould

“I’ve learned that nothing in life comes easy, and if I want something done, I’ve got to get off my butt and work for it,” Gould said. “If I don’t make myself better each day, I’ve cheated my family, the staff and the players, and I’ve cheated this university.”

new fanpost on CGB tailgate…more info to come shortly.

Verran Tucker’s ancestors’ graves found.

Start the countdown clock to the time when Twist brings shame to them.

http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/122208aai.html

Let’s hope both he and Max Zhang go off tonightt against Colgate

“Jake Heaps, of Skyline High School in Issaquah, Wash., is the top quarterback in the West, and the top offensive prospect,” said Brandon Huffman, West Regional Manager and National Recruiting Analyst. “He’s got a good arm and good mechanics, great touch, can move in the pocket. Heaps is a winner, having never lost a game at the high school level.”

However, it’s not all about offense in the West this year.

"Chris Martin, of Bishop O’Dowd in Oakland, Calif., is the best defensive prospect in the West. He can play with his hand down as a pass-rusher or line up as a linebacker and drop into coverage. He came to the Oakland Scout Combine and worked exclusively at tight end after a passing league tournament earlier in the day, and made life tough for the linebackers with his athleticism and ability to catch the ball.

“Heaps and Martin may be the best overall players in the West. But what will make the 2010 class special are the running backs. This may end up being the best crop of running backs from the region in a decade, with This may end up being the best crop of running backs from the region in a decade, with powerful backs like Malcolm Jones or lightning-quick backs like D.J. Morgan mixing it up.”

Scout says Heaps’ schools of interest includes Cal…and Cal’s currently the best school on the list (N.D, Washington, etc.). I’m sure that will jump up to include offers from every major program…but for right now it’s neat to be up at the top. QBs typically commit prior to their senior year.

Martin doesn’t have Cal listed as schools of interest, but I highly doubt the Bears aren’t interested in someone from their own backyard who sounds like a beast. If we get Kennard, would Martin be too similar? Martin’s 6’4" 222, so he’d be a light 3-4 DE (but would likely grow). Or will Martin and Kennard both be LB’s?

I’m not watching this at all though. Tony K might destroy me with all the Rodgers/Favre comparisons.

Cal vs Colgate
http://channelsurfing.net/asx/cal.asx

Uses windows media player

Wow, Rodgers’s stats when he’s been trailing have been pretty bad.

He’s caught some unlucky breaks with a bad defense and bad special teams. But those are pretty bad stats.

I love Max Zhang garbage time against smaller teams!

From 1999: Green Bay at San Francisco in an NFC Wild Card game.

Sweet ending…