Latest Depth Chart Released for Week 1
by dballisloose on Aug 30, 2009 8:26 AM PDT
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JO posted an updated depth chart last night, following the Saturday practice and Fan Appreciation Day. I'll post the chart here, and then discuss some thoughts and observations after the jump.
OFFENSE
QB: Kevin Riley, Brock Mansion, Beau Sweeney
TB: Jahvid Best, Shane Vereen
FB: Brian Holley, Will Kapp
WR: Marvin Jones, Nyan Boateng
LT: Mike Tepper, Donovan Edwards
LG: Matt Summers-Gavin, Mark Boskovich
C: Chris Guarnero, Dominic Galas
RG: Justin Cheadle, Chet Teofilo
RT: Mitchell Schwartz, Donovan Edwards
TE: Anthony Miller, Skylar Curran, Spencer Ladner, Jarrett Sparks
WR: Verran Tucker, Jeremy Ross
DEFENSE
DE: Tyson Alualu, Trevor Guyton
NG: Derrick Hill, Kendrick Payne
DE: Cameron Jordan, Ernest Owusu
OLB: Eddie Young, Charles Johnson
ILB: D.J. Holt, Jerome Meadows
ILB: Mychal Kendricks, Devin Bishop
OLB: Mike Mohamed, Keith Browner
CB: Syd’Quan Thompson, Bryant Nnabuife
S: Marcus Ezeff, Sean Cattouse
S: Brett Johnson, Jesse Brooks
CB: Darian Hagan, Josh Hill
SPECIALISTS
P: Bryan Anger
LS: Matt Rios
HOLDER: Brock Mansion, Bryan Anger
PR: Syd’Quan Thompson, Shane Vereen
KR: Jahvid Best, Jeremy Ross
Now, time for observations....
Okay, first observations are....
1) Where is Conte? I would have thought we'd see him backing up Ezeff or Johnson, but Cattouse and Brooks are there. I like Jesse Brooks, I think he's a senior this year and I met him at the fantasy camp last year. Maybe because he's a senior, coach has him there as recognition, but seems strange not to see Conte's name somewhere. I guess this also mean we're definitely going to redshirt Steve Williams.
2) Where is Lagemann? I thought the depth chart would include the slot receiver position, like it did post-spring.
3) Where is Ryan Davis? I thought he'd at least be someone's backup. Did the move of Browner from DE to LB squeeze Davis out of a backup role? Is he now a third stringer? Seems too talented for that.
4) On a related note, our d-line and LBs are deep....really really deep. I don't know that we'll see much dropoff with substitutions. We might notice a missed assignment or two, but in terms of talent, there's not much dropoff from the starters to the backups.
5) TE is 4-deep. Its one of the only positions (QB being the other), where every possible name was mentioned as depth at the position. Now, we know the hierarchy for QB is set, but I have to imagine they put all four TEs on the chart because there is still some uncertainty what the hhierarchy will be.
6) Donovan Edwards. The chart confirms earlier talk that he can and will backup wherever he is needed on the line.
Other thoughts? Observations? Surprises?
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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I discuss this in the photo post later today, but I feel really good about our DLine depth because of Trevor Guyton. After meeting him in person yesterday, I think he is going to be a superb player.
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In some situations, like switching it up to a 4-3 or goaline, would we see both Guyton on the field at the same time as Jordan and Alualu? Or does the 2nd NT come into the game for that?
At CGB, we whine because we care
by dballisloose on Aug 30, 2009 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
just for the record....
I came up with these observations independent of reading any reviews about it…..but looks like Ted Miller made similar observations:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-11-133/A-look-at-California-s-new-depth-chart.html
At CGB, we whine because we care
MoragaBear on Conte
Doesn’t seem like a huge downgrade, just that the secondary is pretty deep.
Conte will play a lot, including nickel situations. He’s had a good spring. I think this says more about their db depth and how much the others have come on than anything.
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Aug 30, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions
You know what’s a good idea? Making our 2 best and most valuable players return kicks and punts when we could just have Isi do it. FANTASTIC IDEA.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
I’m not totally sure, but did you just call out Tedford for his returner picks?
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Aug 30, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m not sure who to trust more. Coach Tedford or some random kid.
ALL HAIL SUPREME LEADER AVINASH!
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I’ve never been really clear on the concept but was rollonu just declared Sanchez?
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Have I ever been wrong?*
*Please don’t answer.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions
No, I couldn’t do that. Alamar, on the other hand…
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions
If Isi is in fact a better returner than both Jahvid and Syd-Quan already, then he should be doing that. But I doubt he’s there yet.
Syd’s a senior and Jahvid is probably gone after this year. This year may also be our best chance for a conference championship. You have to let your best players play.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I am uneasy about it though. Jahvid gets injured more than a hemophiliac Rich Harden.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
However, this is the year. Usually, you think about the future (like last year, trying to get more young guys involved). This is the year things have been building towards.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Obviously the more you’re on the field the more potential for injury, but I’d be a lot more worried about the guys blocking in the wedge suffering an injury than the guy actually returning. Plus, the kick returner can pick his angle of attack up the field, and for someone with Jahvid’s vision I color it highly unlikely that he would ever be hit unawares.
SQT has never, knock on wood, had the injury problems you surely associate with JB.
More than anything though, both of these guys were two of Cal’s MVPs last year and they held exactly the same roles. Were you hyperventilating then too?
Yes.
I really don’t think it is vital to have Syd’quan returning punts. He is a good punt returner, but he isn’t good enough that you absolutely need him out there, no matter the risk (like Desean). While the risk doesn’t outweigh the reward, I don’t think there is enough of a reward considering the risk.
Jahvid, on the other hand, is such a game breaker that I think it is ok to have him return kicks.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
SQT was rated one of the best return men in the country by Kirk Herbstreit. Sofele may move into that role, but he’s only a true freshman right now. At least give him until the USC game ya know?
How is this read with respect to a third receiver being on the field? Does it mean that Boateng and Ross are #3 and #4 on the WR depth chart or is that only the case for 2-WR sets?
Tuckler is starting at a wideout spot:
Fast forward to Saturday, when coach Jeff Tedford released his season-opening depth chart. Right there, starting at one wide receiver spot: Verran Tucker, No. 86.
Tucker, a senior, and sophomore Marvin Jones will start Saturday’s opener against Maryland. That counted as surprising news, given Tucker’s meandering offseason journey, when he all but vanished from the radar.Said Tedford, in explaining why he elevated Tucker: “Speed, great hands; he knows the offense. Last year at this time, Verran had no idea what this offense was. Now he’s comfortable and confident in what he’s doing.”
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark
I honestly believe that “starter” at this point for the WRs is fairly unimportant. They will all get their opportunities and hopefully some of them will step it up.
ALL HAIL SUPREME LEADER AVINASH!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I think the same can be said for linebacker, or moreso because there are four linebacker spots.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Why didn’t they redshirt Jones?
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Because he was really good. Injuries unfortunately messed that up though.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
He apparently only played in 2 games. Can’t you get a medical redshirt if you barely play?
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not seeing this great dline depth people have mentioned. Guyton is probably good at end, and I doubt there will be much drop from Hill to Payne, but Dline requires more depth than just that. What happens when one of the starters gets hurt? What happens when we’re playing 4 down lineman, that leaves just one good backup. What happens when we have to rotate them to keep them fresh. Dline depth honestly worries me. Our LB depth seems great, though, depending on how injuries stack up it might be worthwhile to slap a redshirt on someone like Ryan Davis (not sure if he has eligibility for it or not).
My guess with Conte is he’ll be playing a lot of nickelback, even if he’s not listed as a primary backup at any of the positions. Lagemann’s still young, and while none of our receivers have developed into go-to players, we seem to have a lot of guys that can contribute at a pretty equal level. He might just have to wait his turn.
I’m curious how our OLB’s will perform in a rush role. I think we’re talented at LB, but in a 3-4 we really need a guy to step up as a go-to pass rusher like Follett was. I’m unsure who’s going to step up in that role consistently. Good to see the young talented OL guys step up and earn a starting spot. Should be good for the future.
by Missing Barry on Aug 30, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Very good points, rec'd
I’ll talk a little bit about the linebackers in the position preview tomorrow, and you echoed most of what I talked about.
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Aug 30, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions
don't worry about the d-line
Guyton is capable of starting on most teams, and maybe Owusu could as well. So I think we’re solid at DE, even though behind those two we also have Keni Kaufusi, who can play either DE or NT, and Kaufusi is an absolute beast of a d-lineman. Next to him would be Aaron Tipoti, a top recruit.
We also have another monster in the form of DeAndre Coleman, a NT who is listed at 6’6" and 309lbs.
Of course, Coleman and Kaufusi will redshirt this year. Tipoti redshirted last year and is available if needed. I would think that if we ever had a crisis, we’d burn one of those two redshirts.
We also have Keith Browner who moved from DE to LB, and if something seriously depleted our depth chart at the DE position, he would be a natural fit to move back to DE and help out.
At CGB, we whine because we care
by dballisloose on Aug 30, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
None of that gives me much confidence. What makes you think Owusu could start for most teams? I’ve never read anything overly optimistic about him, and Guyton, while he seems like good depth, is still young. DL requires a lot of technique and all the talent in the world doesn’t make someone a good player, it generally seems to me like it has a pretty steep learning curve at both the college and the pro level. Browner seems like he might have some talent, but we moved him to LB for a reason – he really isn’t big enough to play DL in the 3-4. DL is also a position that requires a lot of substitutions, guys that big just can’t go every snap at 100%, they wear down. I think our starters are extremely good and a huge advantage, I’m just not seeing a whole lot of depth behind them that’s ready to play at a high level this year. Oh yeah, forgot Tipoti, I’ve never read much positive stuff about him, not sure he’s capable of making an impact at all.
by Missing Barry on Aug 30, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey Missing Barry
if we wanted a reasonable pessimistic voice on this blog, we’d ask regular Cal fans to join.
Remember, the enemy's end zone is DOWN!
Hey, I’m only pessimistic about our dline depth. I think that’s a pretty optimistic view overall! Our starters are great, the rest of our defense is great and deep, when the biggest concern is the backups for one unit, I think that puts the team in a pretty good position…
by Missing Barry on Aug 30, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions
If you’re going to compare the depth of dline to depth at corner, safety, and WR then sure, the dline isn’t as deep. But I also think you have to consider that those positions are unusually deep this year, more so than in years past. And maybe that’s what we should aspire to, to be ridiculously deep at every position.
In the last couple of recruiting classes, I think we’ve done really well getting commits for the dline. So I’ll respect your pessimism, and hopefully we can both agree in 2-3 years that our dline is stacked like 3-4 deep at every role as the success with recruiting continues.
At CGB, we whine because we care
by dballisloose on Aug 30, 2009 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
This sounds like a joke
What’s the difference between a regular Cal fan and a CGB fan?
Contact if you want to chat: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Aug 30, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Lipstick.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Aug 30, 2009 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Decorum.
At CGB, we whine because we care
by dballisloose on Aug 30, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Higher levels of Nyan.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 31, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, but it won’t help you crack the starting lineup.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Getting back ( way back?) to the comments on kick returners, Isi said Sat. he has been practicing there. I asked if he will be next to Syd, and he answered in the affirmative. When I asked JT if Isi was going to be playing more than WR, maybe at RB? he said “…yes, probably.” So I pressed him with, " and, returns, too?" …and, he said, “…”yes." Now, I didn’t ask if that meant Kick or Punt returns…and, I am a bit confused who else will be back there….Syd? Jahvid?
As far as the WR thing, I am getting more confused about who is starting in any 3 or 4 WR set, but, I can’t see Isi ever being up at the line of scrimmage. I am also ignorant of how many positions ( ie, slot back) have to be announced. I was also wondering if Sofele has been practicing w WR’s, ( tennis ball machine, etc) just to refine his ability to catch passes as a RB……
The thing to keep in mind about the wide receivers is that while it is an honor for Tucker and Jones to be named starters, the decisions regarding who will actually be on the field are entirely situational. The depth chart doesn’t really reveal anything about how Cal will orient the personnel in its passing game.
As for Sofele, I’ve never read anything about Isi practicing anywhere else but with the wideouts so I would assume that he will, in fact, be a wide receiver. A wide receiver who can also flex into the backfield, or run the fly sweep and also return kicks? Sure, but nevertheless, a wide receiver. (James Rodgers isn’t significantly bigger than Sofele and he caught 50 passes for 600 yards, so I think Sofele can hack it too.)
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
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UCLA Bruins
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5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
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Utah Utes
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Arizona St. Sun Devils
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