New Cal Recruit, Mark Brazinski, C

by Sambrano510 on Jan 4, 2009 7:10 PM PST Comment 21 comments

Watching the Under Armour High School America Game on ESPN, Mark Brazinsk the #2 Center in the nation by ESPN and #7 by rivals, just committed to Cal.

During the interview Mark was asked to describe his official visit to Cal, and in an attempt to be funny on national television, his response was, "I wore gym shorts, and my mom was snowed in.... I love my mama."

I sure hope his blocking skills are better than his jokes. But regardless, glad to see we got a highly touted center to COPE the loss of Alex Mack!

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.

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Read More: Mark Brazinski(Rivals), Mark Brazinski(ESPN)

Comments

Kid’s smart. He made the best choice for his future.

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Jan 4, 2009 7:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

I’ll enjoy watching him opening up those big holes for Jahvid Best.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 4, 2009 7:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

SWEET.

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 4, 2009 8:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

hopefully he’ll be able to fill Mack’s big shoes.

by Cal '98 on Jan 4, 2009 10:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Have we already forgot about Guarnero? Brazinksi is NOT Mack’s replacement. Brazinski is Guarnero’s replacement.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Jan 4, 2009 10:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

And Galas

who was the scout team offensive player of the year, if I’m not mistaken.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Jan 4, 2009 11:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it appears as if Brazinski is at least going to have to wait a year or two until Guarnero graduates, then Brazinski will be competing with Galas.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Jan 4, 2009 11:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Have we?

I don’t think we’re assuming Brazinski jumps in and starts at center for Cal, but it does help to have an immediate backup who has good knowledge of the position. He probably won’t see time in 2009 unless needed but in 2010 he could definitely be part of a revamped and deep o-line.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

not forgotten...

just not as bullish on them. i could be wrong but i believe both guarnero and galas are linemen converted to play center. not that it’s a bad thing but it makes me feel better knowing that we have a “true” center… and yea, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll start next year…

by Cal '98 on Jan 4, 2009 11:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Coach M has always been high on Guarnero. Guarnero supposedly could have started as a RS Freshman. He could have been starting the past two years if it weren’t for Mack. I believe Guarnero was recruited for center and not a lineman who is playing center.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Jan 4, 2009 11:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2008/8/28/603110/previewing-the-season-offe

Guarnero, the new starting left guard, was a highly regarded recruit and was far enough along in the spring a year ago that Cal experimented with Alex Mack at left tackle and Guarnero moving in at center

by calbearz24 on Jan 5, 2009 1:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the article is a little misleading. Guarnero started at LG because Mack was at C. But Guarnero has always been projected as a C.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Jan 5, 2009 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s also our best O-Lineman if he returns to pre-injury form. Schwartz and Cheadle (if he makes strides this year) may push him for the title. Cheadle is the most athletic

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Jan 5, 2009 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Cheadle may be athletic, but he has not made the most of his opportunities this year. I have seen zero improvement from him and can attribute several broken plays to him completely missing his blocks. We should move him back to D.

Edwards is interesting… he was horrible at OSU and USC etc… but I did see some signs of improvement during the Emerald bowl and I was surprised by his speed. He needs 20lbs, but he’s got potential. I think he’s built for zone run schemes.

Schwartz is a lock in my book. He waned after ASU a bit… but has become solid towards the end.

Guarnero may be next in line for C, but for me there is little difference between Galas and Brazinsk in my book until one of them truly proves themselves in games…. in fact Brazinsk is already closer to the size we want, though Galas has experience on the scout team.

Regardless, it’s great to be stacked at the center position… other teams should be so lucky…since it’s one of the most important positions on this team (given it’s power run scheme).

by danzig on Jan 5, 2009 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WHOA… I made a mistake… I meant Chet Teofilo in my first comment…not Justin Cheadle. Cheadle, wasn’t a standout either, but he hasn’t played enough for me to make an assessment. Sorry Thoroughbread, my mistake.

My great disappointment in Teofilo made me jump the gun and I confused the names.

by danzig on Jan 5, 2009 4:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was kind of confused too

I didn’t remember Cheadle making any huge mistakes (he hasn’t played much, Boskovich and Malele have been in there for the most part) but I thought maybe I had missed some. I agree about Teofilo, he hasn’t been very impressive. It would be great to get Tepper back so we can start him along with Schwartz and move Teofilo to second string.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Jan 5, 2009 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When I said, “back up the loss of Alex Mack” I meant to say, to COPE the loss of Alex Mack. Bad choice of words on my part.

by Sambrano510 on Jan 4, 2009 11:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What's the difference between an OL recruit and a C recruit?

Given that OL is 4 positions, and C is 1 position….why is it that year after year we don’t see a ratio of 4 OL commits for every C commit? Are they really interchangeable enough that a C commit can play guard or tackle….I always thought of a C as slightly smaller albeit more athletic than a guard or tackle.

I left my heart at the Durant Food Court

by dballisloose on Jan 6, 2009 12:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget the C has to snap the ball.

And that can be a tricky situation sometimes (esp with the QB in shotgun)

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jan 6, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I would say the “OL” is 5 positions, and a “C” is only the center. I mostly use “OL” as a generic catch-all for both tackles, both guards, and the center. However, football teams rarely recruit merely guys because they are an offensive lineman – recruits are recruited (generally) for specific positions.

I wouldn’t say that all the guys who play OL are interchangeable. LTs are usually the most athletic OL guys. Gs are usually athletic guys for pulling. Centers are valued for their snapping ability and usually can get away with poorer blocking skills because centers usually get help from a guard.

Programs have different desires for their OL recruits. Some just want huge fat guys. Others want small athletic guys (WVU and the “new” Michigan for example). Cal likes guys that are both big and athletic.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Jan 6, 2009 11:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs