We're big on recycling here.  No throwing out of FanPosts, just reuse them for DBDs.

But more importantly than that, TEDFORD SPEAKS:

July 29, 2008
Welcome back to my blog; I apologize for taking some time to make an update since I last wrote in June. However, it has been a good summer that has given me a chance to recharge and get ready to go for an exciting 2008 season.

While I never strayed far from football, the highlight of my summer was my first trip to Europe with my family. We took a 10-day cruise to many different places and in addition to it being a very relaxing trip, it was very educational. I think a cruise is definitely the way to go. My wife, Donna, sons, Taylor and Quinn, and I flew from here to New York and then on to Barcelona. From there, we were on a cruise ship, visiting different cities every day. We took a tour with an excellent and knowledgeable guide during the day, re-boarded the ship, and when we woke up in the morning, we were in the next city. We spent time in Barcelona, France and Italy. We saw the Roman Colosseum, the Vatican, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and so many other amazing sites. The guide was able to inform us and give us of all the information about the history of these places. The Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel were probably the most memorable stops for me, but the best thing was being able to spend time with my family.

Before and after my trip, I have spent plenty of time here in the office, working with my staff to get ready for this season as well as talking with our players. From all indications, as they wind down the summer program, there has been a strong investment through quality work and building camaraderie. Each season brings new challenges and new opportunities, and everyone is very excited about the upcoming season. I'm really looking forward to the team reporting to camp - the guys come back on Sunday, Aug. 3, and we have our first practice on Monday. Everybody associated with this program is looking forward to returning to the field and back to football. This is my favorite time of year; the time when I can get reacquainted with the players and get back to coaching football.

The event that really seems to kick off the new football season every year is Pac-10 Media Day, which was last week in Los Angeles. It's the event that gets the excitement and the anxiety flowing as everybody comes together to talk about the upcoming season. All of the coaches from the league gather to talk about new rules and to conduct interviews with reporters from around the country, including print, radio and television reporters. Alex Mack was our representative and did a great job with everything. Most people don't understand what a grueling event this can be for a young man - Alex handled over four hours of non-stop interviews, talking on the phone live to radio shows, meeting with newspaper reporters, doing interviews with ESPN and Versus for this year's TV broadcasts and on and on. He was a tremendous representative of not just his teammates and Cal Football but the entire University of California.

After Pac-10 Media Day, we were off to the Bay Area Media Luncheon this week in San Francisco. The event was a little different this year with the Emerald Bowl putting on a luncheon in addition to the media interviews, which added to the excitement. We took Worrell Williams, Zack Follett and Alex to that event and again, all three did a great job representing our program.

It's been interesting this year as I could predict the three main questions from nearly every reporter: What happened last year? Who's going to be our quarterback? And what's happening with the people in the trees?

We are in great shape at quarterback; we feel very fortunate to have two very quality guys in Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley who have both proven they can win. And Brock Mansion is a freshman who gives us depth as good as anyone's in the country. It will be very competitive throughout camp and we feel very good about the situation, but who will take the first step is still undetermined. One reporter at media day pointed out that only two quarterbacks in the Pac-10 started every game last year, so you can see how valuable depth is at that position.

As far as the people in the trees, we are very encouraged by the recent news and recent rulings. I am really looking forward to a new facility that will benefit our entire athletic department and the student-athletes, both men and women, in the program. The light at the end of the tunnel has become brighter as we move forward, and it will be great to get past the distraction and nuisance that as been caused by the people in the trees.

Our staff and players have all analyzed last year over and over, and I know everybody has searched to put their arms around the disappointment of 2007. But it's time to focus on 2008 so this is the last time I'm going to touch on last year's experience; our focus is this year's team. There is no definitive answer for what happened. Football is a team game and everybody that is part of this program, coaches and players, has shouldered responsibility. There are so many variables involved, they can be statistical, mental, emotional or physical, but the fact is, lessons are learned from each one of those factors. We are very excited to use these lessons to move forward and we feel great about our progress, our vision and the new season which is upon us.

I want all of our fans to be part of this new season and I hope we create the same environment for Michigan State that we had last year against Tennessee. So make your plans now to come to Berkeley on Aug. 30 and support the Bears. And don't forget the entire schedule; we have three of the top four teams in the Pac-10 preseason poll coming to town along with Michigan State, Colorado State and a couple of teams against whom we'll be looking for revenge - Stanford and Washington. So call 1-800-GO-BEARS or visit www.CalBears.com and buy your season tickets now. Don't forget, Every Game Counts! See you on Aug. 30 and Go Bears!

 

I wonder which intern has this job and if I can apply for it??????

Okanes has a bunch more updates on:

SAHPC 20 day stay

Ted Miller's rankings of Pac10 LBs

Donovan Edwards, the new OL recruit that was the original focus of this FanPost.

Impressions on the 3-4 changeover. 

Merc Article on opening of camp.  And more quick hitter info on camp from Wilner. 

Here's a photo of Ryan Anderson I found on an European website:

via d.yimg.com

The bitter ones at BN are claiming it must've been grades...no talk of that here in the CC Times:

Cal has added to its offensive line depth for the upcoming season by securing an oral commitment from Diablo Valley College product Donovan Edwards.
Edwards, who played at Pinole Valley High School, committed to UCLA last month. But he took a recruiting trip to Cal last weekend, was offered a scholarship and he changed his mind.

Ok, there you go.  Saving the planet one Daily Bear Dump at a time!  Dump away!  GO BEARS!