Open Practice 8.27.09
While all you employed-types were slaving away at the sugar mines or on the subway getting shot and your hats run over, us unemployables and students got to enjoy an hour of open practice at Memorial yesterday.
Those of you who followed my twats yesterday already know, I’m no big city HydroTech or KenCraw. I mean before I started reading CGB, I didn’t even know what a quanerback was. So if you’re looking for detailed analysis of blocking schemes, you just keep on driving.
Tedford made it even tougher on my reporting ability by putting out multiple peeps with the same number! At one point there were three #10’s on the field. Three! I thought I saw Jahvid Best, but it was actually Chris Little, I think. He was playing D whoever he was.
Not Jahvid Best taking a rest. I think. And Riley, Vereen and Holley running drills.
Since there was no scrimmage and for most of the time, units were broken up into individual drills, it was tough to follow what exactly was going on with every player at once. Below are the things that stood out most.
One thing I can tell you is that the team looks sharp and FAST. It doesn’t take a Marshawnthusiast to be able to tell that. During the offensive drills there were few dropped or overthrown balls. Kevin Riley threw a beautiful 40 yard spiral down the sideline that hit Shane Vereen in stride for an imaginary touchdown.
Practice started off with kickoff drills. Tavecchio put three kicks in a row about 3 yards deep into the endzone. He didn’t put one out of the endzone, however.
After a few kicks, the team split into offense and defense to run game situations at midfield. Take this for whatever it’s worth, but I don’t remember any big plays by the wide receivers. That’ll give you hardcore self-loathing Cal Fans something to keep you awake for the next week. But the drill didn’t last that long and there was only a few long throws. You're also talking to a guy who couldn't tell if he was looking at the most recognizable guy on the team, so what do I know?
Shortly after this photo was taken, Vereen caught the ball and scored his second imaginary TD of the day.
You know what I do know? Isi Sofele is small, but crazy fast. They listed him as WR on the roster we got. Huh? I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about what he did for fear of having Tedford close the games to the public too, but he caught a ball in the middle and was like two steps beyond his defender when he turned upfield.
The player that stood out to me the most was TE Spencer Ladner, a strapping buck from the heartland of America looks like he can handcuff lightning and put thunder in jail. Totes cereal. He caught a couple of passes in the middle for big gains.
Then the team broke up into individual groups doing football type conditioning stuff.
This could easily be an in-game photo from 2001.
And then, He spoke. When Tedford said we are the reason the Bears do so well at home I swear he was looking right at me. I waved, but I don’t think he wanted to play favorites so he pretended not to see me.
Oh yeah, Tepper reminded us to wear blue for the Maryland game. Don’t forget! He even said to wear the "F@!# Stanfurd" shirt if you like.
Only eight more days... Go Bears!
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.
5 recs |
49 comments
Comments
Scout team will often wear the color of the opposing team. Certain players on the scout team will also wear the number of key opposing players. Hence, you’ll sometimes have three players wearing the same number (one on scout team, one on offense, and one on defense).
Thanks for the report. I wish I could have been there.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
by HydroTech on Aug 28, 2009 1:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ooohh right. Because they’ve started preparing for the Maryland game.
One thing I did walk away with is the realization that practices are very complex.
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You had me LoL’ing, thanks for the report! Love the pictures and the “In Game 2001,” nice.
by CaliforniaCMB on Aug 28, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The player that stood out to me the most was TE Spencer Ladner, a strapping buck from the heartland of America looks like he can handcuff lightning and put thunder in jail.
I loled
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 28, 2009 1:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Truth be told I stole that from Muhammad Ali.
Rent “When We Were Kings” if you haven’t seen it.
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You stole Spencer Ladner from Muhammad Ali?
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 28, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should really give him back.
ALL HAIL SUPREME LEADER AVINASH!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Aug 28, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am contacting the local authorities as I type!
by CaliforniaCMB on Aug 28, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Band nerds
GREAT reporting!!< TYVM for the report; whatever u lacked in football hyperbole, you more than made up for in titalating humor and interesting content. I , too, enjoyed and laughed at the Ali quote,…and, was smirking in agreement at the pic titled, “…in game photo from 2001”. I think u may have found another niche other than the french horn, or whatever u play. Please continue to write and take photos, anytime you can.
I am driving all nite to the Oregon game, Sept. 26. Are u going? stolenchoppers@hotmail.com
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
what
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 28, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks. It’s trumpet, bee tee dub. Don’t tell the organizers of the “Student” practice, but I’m an alum.
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nvmd, Spazzy……just wondered if the whole band, or a traveling part goes to away games…never really noticed when i’ve gone down to U$C games
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The whole band makes the trip to SC. You never see em cause our seat suck so bad. For other games it’s usually just the Straw Hat Band (around 20 or more members).
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There have been some games in recent years that the band did’t attend. :(!
ALL HAIL SUPREME LEADER AVINASH!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Aug 28, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
o
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 28, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
USC seats are the WORST!
All the way at the freaking top and to the end, behind the endzone actually.
by CaliforniaCMB on Aug 28, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good to see you again man.
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash on Aug 28, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks!
I’ve actually been doing a lot of work, but I realized CGB is where my heart really is.
by CaliforniaCMB on Aug 29, 2009 1:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t worry too much about giving anything away, or the fact that the receivers seemed not to make many amazing plays. They didn’t really let you guys see much of anything during the open part of practice, as they did the important team, and clutch stuff well before you all got there. I was kind of surprised they had the players go over there and do as much as they did, directly after a full padded practice in the hot sun. I thought it was a bit questionable, but I’m glad people had fun.
Alright, fine, I admit it! "Hydration Technician" really DOES just mean "water boy!"
by giantfan5 on Aug 28, 2009 3:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I suspected as much.
Totes fun. Do it again! How much pull do you have there?
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just teasing the nay-sayers and choose-upsiders.
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
USC Seats
Last year, our seats weren’t so bad, as we used Craigs’ list, and a stadium seat chart. Still in the end zone. but, only bout half-way up. Had about the same decent seats 3yrs ago, but, it was sad to have a perfect view of Longshore not moving anywhere left or right, ever .
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 3:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Movement wasn’t really Nate’s thing, yknow.
ALL HAIL SUPREME LEADER AVINASH!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Aug 28, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
See the little reply link at the bottom of every comment? Please use that. Thank you
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Aug 28, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
tyvm, Roy…..I’m a noob here….and, v old.
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
no prob
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Aug 28, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stop antagonizing commenters
Or I’ll send Hydro to your house and stick a “BANNED” sign on your door.
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash on Aug 29, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So now I can’t make jokes towards Holmoephobe and Rishi and I can’t make jokes towards new commenters. Can I get a list of who I’m allowed to respond to?
Also, Hydro B& Hammering me is OLD
The The is above help.
by Maharg on Aug 29, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OLD
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 29, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m so antagonized!!!
The The is above help.
by Maharg on Aug 29, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm offended at you using my meme
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Aug 29, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m offended at you using my meme schism
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Aug 29, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But are you antagonized?
The The is above help.
by Maharg on Aug 29, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Movement
Speaking of movement, and the “Spread” that never happened, anyone else a bit worried about our new OC not getting any fond farewells by either Utes or Ducks? At first, I thought, “OH, Goodie! the Ute’s Spread, and, the Ducks Spread, are coming with Ludwig! Sofele and Tucker are going to run circles around LB’s!!!” But, after reading blogs from Utah and Oregon, this guy looks more like a good old friend, and not any play-calling guru. BTW, why is Isi listed as a WR? ….has he been able to return anything landing in Hayward yet?
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 4:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
anyone else a bit worried about our new OC not getting any fond farewells by either Utes or Ducks?
No. (Also Ludwig didn’t coach the spread at Oregon, Oregon didn’t turn spread until Bellotti hired Gary Crowton.)
by AERose on Aug 28, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This was totes cereal the best open practice humor report in the history of CGB! Rec’d
I’m getting freakin’ excited about Sofele.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
by norcalnick on Aug 28, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
me too….but, not as a 5’7" WR……wait a sec….isn’t that the same size as our HB?
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Sofele is 5’7" then I’m a size 2.
by CalBandGreat on Aug 28, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You've really slimmed down!
Remember, the enemy's end zone is DOWN!
by GoldBlooded on Aug 28, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’ve seen him, CalBand, I haven’t ……his stats are 5’7", 170lbs….but, he has put on 3 lbs. during the summer. How big to u think our 1st team HB is?
by Primo on Aug 28, 2009 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hid the repeat comment
Don’t worry about it, just make sure you check everything beforehand.
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash on Aug 28, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
re<’d
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark
by carp on Aug 29, 2009 8:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
lol
sweet recap. breath of fresh air . you think ladner can make up for the loss of Tad Smith? putting the awesome hair aside, of course.
by BearBallCarrier on Aug 31, 2009 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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