Golden Nuggets: Best-Follett Reunion?

Although their first pick in the draft is 34th, the Detroit Lions may be interested in picking Best if he's still available.  Though improbable, this would be a reunion of two fan favorites from recent years: Best and the Pain Train.

The Lions are trying to find a running back with game-breaking ability in free agency because the pickings are slim in the draft.

Clemson's C.J. Spiller will be gone by the middle of the first round and while there are other names that are mentioned as top candidates -- Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews -- Best and his blazing speed and running ability appear to be high on Detroit's wish list.
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There are two problems with the Lions drafting Best, however. One, is that because of his speed, he might not be there for the Lions' 34th overall pick. The other issue is the concussion that knocked Best out of the final three regular season games and also the bowl game last year.

Best suffered the injury while diving into the end zone to score a touchdown, Best flew so high that he flipped over and landed on the back of his neck.

"It was a pretty bad fall, but I've been blessed. It could have wound up being a lot worse than it was. Thank God I'm able to bounce right back, and I'm healthy now," Best said.

However, NFL teams don't only want to know about Best's health now, but how well he'll be able to handle the rigors of being an NFL running back.

"Well, there is obviously a lot of concern about it so we went to the best to get some answers. We went to Mickey Collins in Pittsburgh. I've seen him twice and he cleared me. He's known as the best so his words mean a lot," Best said.

Collins is the assistant director at the Sports Concussion Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He's a neuropsychologist who specializes in concussions in children and young adults.

In addition, Best was also put through some testing at the combine and there's a very high likelihood that teams that are interested in him -- such as the Lions -- will put him through additional tests.

"No, I'm not worried about it," Best said. "Mickey Collins said I am fine and any other concussion that I may get in the future would have nothing to do with the one I've had in the past. So, from now on it's just a clean slate. "

A clean slate and a new helmet.

"At Cal, I wore one of the older style helmets. It looks the best but it wasn't the best protection, so maybe I should go with the new school of new Revolutions or something like that to give me the best protection," Best said.

A clean slate and a new helmet, but what about that old habit of diving into the end zone?

"That's not going to be a part of my game anymore," he said.

After the jump Syd shows his speed at the Combine, Ben Braun talks about Cal's Pac-10 championship, Lunardi believes Cal could rise as high as a 6 or 7 seed, ESPN's Steve Lavin thinks Cal could make a deep tourney run, and more.

Cal Football

• At 6.73, Syd'Quan Thompson had the fifth-fastest time among cornerbacks at the Combine's 3-cone drill.
• Nick Daschel previews Pac-10 linebackers.  He says Oregon and USC are in top shape followed by Cal, led by Mike Mohamed, and ASU.  Both Cal and ASU have holes to fill, however.

Cal Basketball

• Cal's SoS is looking better and better: they have now played against seven league champs.
• Though not even recognizable when they first arrived on campus, Cal basketball's seniors have enjoyed their on-campus fame since winning the Pac-10.
• Former aide to Pete Newell, Rene Herrerias says Newell would be very proud of Cal's conference title.
• After nearly 50 years of timekeeping for football and men/women's basketball, John Mahaffy's career will finally come to an end in a few weeks.  He was honored during halftime of Saturday's ASU game and he received a jersey and the game ball.
• ESPN's Joe Lunardi is optimistic for Cal's tourney hopes.  He says they're already a lock for the tourney and says they could rise as high as a 6 or 7-seed.
• Wilner talked to Ben Braun about Cal's recent Pac-10 title.  Braun is quite proud of team, especially since he brought the seniors onto campus.
• ESPN analyst Steve Lavin wouldn't be surprised if Cal went on a deep tourney run, perhaps as far as the Elite Eight.