So I go away for one week, and my gimmick turns into this.  I mean, how am I supposed to follow that up?  I suppose I could try and do something in the same vein, but frankly, that takes a little more energy than I have at the moment.  Still, if that's what the people want, that's what the people get.  Thoughts?  And before we go any further, I'd like to say that I don't have a dog (though my parents do), and I'm the one who likes to parade around in tank tops and spandex.  I also carry around a kendo stick and/or bo.  Depending on my mood.

UPDATE: OMG OMG OMG OMG

Jeff, Berkeley, CA: Any thoughts about how your game has evolved since college?

 LaShaun Ward: A whole lot. I've only had a chance to play WR at Cal for a year and a half. Dealing with my ups and downs. I've learned a lot about my position. Learned a lot about using my hands and just overall knowledge about the game.

The hills are alive with the sounds of irony.

• Joanne Boyle has earned herself a well-deserved contract extension.  I wish I had more to say, but I honestly don't.
• Over at the four letter, Mark Schlabach has revised his Top 25 - again no Bears, but that isn't a huge surprise.  Since he brought up the team's monumental collapse again in one of his three things to watch for. 
• And hey, the Longshore/Riley battle is one of the top 25 spring storylines in college football!   I suppose when one of the items is about something called a "Bill Stull", the Longshore/Riley battle does seem important in comparison. 
• Ted Miller breaks down the Pac-10.  Significant points (most already previously covered): Tedford gave up play calling duties in an effort to focus more on the chemistry and mental makeup of the team; the team is moving to the 3-4 as a base defense; Bryan Anger rules; Longshore/Riley are the Pat Cowan and Ben Olson of the Bay Area (minus the injuries!  By Riley); the team has no proven skill position players with two healthy hips; last year represents the first crisis of the Tedford era.  I'm not 100% certain about this, but I think there was something else that was a crisis in the Tedford era.  I'm not sure who or what it was, but when I think of it, this is what I'm going to say.  BOOYA~  Read the article to check up on teams around the conference if you haven't been keeping up.
  
• Zack Follett reports that Tedford isn't taking any crap from anyone.
• A subtle hint that maybe there was something to THA1 having attitude issues.
• The guys at igglesblog.com ask, is THA1 just Ted Ginn?   The tone there seems cautiously optimistic, along with an apologetic comment, "Jackson also drew the bulk of the oppositions attention and had mediocre quarterbacks throwing him the ball."  Amen brother.
• Remember when the Fresno State Bulldogs were relevant?  I barely do (oh for the days of David Carr), but that was a while ago.  Now?  Pat Hill's busy denying he has beef with Tedford, though he doesn't mind adding that he thinks his Bulldogs could beat our Bears.  Given how the team finished last year, I can't blame him for thinking as much.
• Bruce Feldman says the Cardinal landed a top defensive tackle prospect.  Hey, remember when we landed Derrick Hill?  Included is a link to a story on the LA Times about a USC spoof video that backfired (also discussed here at Deadspin).
• But wait!  There's more, as USC is TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL!   If you've been living under a rock, O.J. Mayo is in trouble for illegal gifts.  I actually don't have a problem with this or Reggie Bush's situation, since I'm one of those guys who believes that the whole guise of amateurism allows the NCAA to benefit without paying those responsible for generating that revenue.  And that doesn't sit well with me.  Up with capitalism!
• The Trojans love playing in the 85 year old Los Angeles Coliseum so much, they decided they want to play there until it's 110 years old. 
  
• Finally, ESPN would like to know who you think is the face of the Golden Bears.  My nomination:
  Bonus - that could double as the face of the Oregon program too!