Golden Nuggets: "I have a foreboding feeling about this"
by Berkelium97 on Jul 15, 2010 5:00 PM PDT
in Golden Nuggets
Email
PrintTed Miller is in the middle of posting one of his best and most amusing annual series of preseason articles: best case/worst case. Today is Cal's turn. As always, Uncle Ted pens an entertaining pair of stories.
Best Case:
California fans had seen it before. They were suspicious of a 3-0 start. Even though quarterback Kevin Riley was completing 65 percent of his passes and had thrown only one pick. Even though the defense was averaging three sacks per game. There was a feeling of foreboding heading down to Tucson for a date with unbeaten Arizona.
"I have a foreboding feeling about this," Cal fans tell each other.
...
A Cal fan then writes a 11,000-word essay on The California Golden Blogs, the gist of which is Riley only needs to beat UCLA for the Bear nation to finally believe in him. The Bears beat the Bruins 28-24. Another fan writes that she'll only buy-in if Riley leads the Bears to a win over USC.
...
The Alamo Bowl picks Cal over Stanford. The opponent? Texas. A Cal fan writes a 58,345-word essay on TCGB about how the Bears got screwed out of the Rose Bowl in 2004 because of old-school Texas politicking. A Texas fan shows up and demonstrates that, mathematically, the changes in the poll votes had little to no affect. Bears fans are irritated but respect the math skills and everyone becomes great friends.
"Who cares?" Riley says about the 2004 controversy. He then throws three TD passes in a 28-20 win. Cal finished 10-3 and ranked 10th.
I would like to visit TCGB too. It sounds like its writers are very intelligent and passionate! (You can read the bitter end of the worse case scenario by clicking the link above.)
After the jump, Mohamed/Anger/Miller earn pre-season honors, ESPN expects big things out of Justin Forsett, and more.
Football
- Justin Forsett places eighth on ESPN's list of NFL prospects who are unfamiliar to most fans. They must be picked in the 3rd-7th rounds in the draft, started five or fewer games, and still be in the second, third, or fourth year of their rookie contracts. ESPN anticipates he will be an efficient and effective RB for Seattle this year, even if he continues to fly under the radar.
- Bryan Anger, Anthony Miller, and Mike Mohamed all earned honorable recognition on College Football Insiders' Preseason All-American Team. This marks Miller's first time being named to a preseason all-American team.
- Leon Powe gives his take on "The Decision" and LeBron's departure to join Wade and Bosh in Miami.
- Patrick Christopher saw seven minutes of playing time in last night's loss to Miami. He only took one shot (and missed) and had a rebound and an assist.
33 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
If I haven't mentioned it yet....
I appreciate the links to “all things Golden Bears”. I confess to being a regular reader of almost everything available on the CGB, but always anticipate getting the key stories of he day on Golden Nuggets. Thanks!
by SierraBear on Jul 15, 2010 5:13 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
That’s Berkelium97, monkey butler, at your service.
o=========<| BBBBBBEARZZZZZZ
by Thoroughbred on Jul 15, 2010 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
That is not part of my contract. I’m going to have to demand that Twist gives me a raise if monkey butlering is involved.
"Some people watch adult videos on their computer - I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going."- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions head coach
if our "best-case" scenario is the Alamo Bowl...
then this year is really gonna suck! Anyways, Ted’s (we’re on a first name basis) piece was pretty funny and a good read regardless. The Harbaugh quote is hilarious because I can almost imagine him saying that (while sitting upon his golden toilet seat.)
Doesn’t the Alamo Bowl pit the #2 Pac-10 team vs. the #3 Big 12 team? #2 wouldn’t really suck. Well, if Stanfurd were #1 it would, but honestly, second in the Pac-10 would be a very good season for this team.
"UC Davis??? hahahahaha" - Aaron Rodgers
by atomsareenough on Jul 15, 2010 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t mind the Alamo Bowl. My parents live in San Antonio. My dad will play for our plane ticket, I have a free place to stay, free food, free transportation, and my dad would also probably buy our tickets. Cheapest bowl game for us. Yep my dad spoils me. I look forward to the day we get to go to the Alamo Bowl
Norcalnick's chick. Go Bears!
It’s a good bowl. Good payout ($3M per team), nice city, nice destination for players & fans.
I still wish the Pac-10 had a tie-in to a New Year’s Day bowl for the # 2 team in the conference. But as far as non-New Year’s Day bowls go, the Alamo Bowl is a good destination.
Yes, I am an Old Blue. Now get off my lawn.
ESPN also says Alex Mack is expected to compete for Pro Bowl bid!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=5381937
Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack or Tennessee Titans center Eugene Amano: The AFC is looking for the next young center to step up. Nick Mangold of the Jets is considered to be at the top of the class, but Amano might be the next in line. The Titans nominated Amano by giving him a five-year, $26.25 million contract on a very talented line. Mack was the Browns’ first-round choice in 2009 and could also be poised to emerge.
no cal bear? no care
Watching summer league
Randle had a nice assist and a backdoor cut layup, but that’s about it.
Jeremy Lin is impressing the hell out of me. Pulled up for 3 over Wall, then broke a double team and spun into the lane. Damn.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Jul 15, 2010 6:47 PM PDT reply actions
Great writeup of Allen Crabbe by Doc Saturday
Crabbe is the centerpiece of a decorated five-man recruiting class that Cal coach Mike Montgomery hopes will soften the blow of losing the core of a team that produced the Bears’ first conference title in more than five decades. Pac-10 player of the year Jerome Randle graduated, productive starters Patrick Christopher, Theo Robertson and Jamal Boykin are also gone and rotation players D.J. Seeley and Omondi Amoke transferred.
Although Harper Kamp’s return from a knee injury gives Cal a legit back-to-the-basket scorer and Jorge Gutierrez is a scrappy perimeter defender, there will be plenty of opportunity for the incoming freshmen to contribute immediately. Crabbe has blossomed from a stand-still shooter into a dynamic scorer, point guard Gary Franklin and small forward Alex Rossi can both stretch a defense and explosive late signee Emerson Murray flew under the radar as a result of an ankle injury.
i think you mean ‘The Dagger’ rather than Doc Sat., but thanks for the link – a great write up!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I like the sound of this
“We proved last year that you win with juniors and seniors, but we’re excited about coaching these kids,” Montgomery said by phone. “I have no expectations for next season one way or the other. The goal is to establish a program of good kids working hard. I think there’s enough talent there that we can surprise people, but I also would be surprised if we were picked near the leaders.”
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I’m pretty excited about seeing how the basketball team develops next season. I, too, have no expectations one way or the other. But I am pretty intrigued to see how Monty begins to put a team together with “his” guys and the improvement we are bound to see by the time February and March roll around.
Yes, I am an Old Blue. Now get off my lawn.
I like the ‘no expectations’ approach. We should have that every year!
o=========<| BBBBBBEARZZZZZZ
by Thoroughbred on Jul 15, 2010 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions
As far as sportswriters go, I like Uncle Ted. But is 10-3 really a “best case” scenario for this team? If we put our optimistic hats on, it seems to me that there’s enough experience and talent at enough places on the field, that if everything truly falls into place, this is a team that—theoretically, in a “best case” world—could win a conference championship.
Now, I’m willing to concede that a more “realistic” best case for this team truly is 10-3 and the Alamo Bowl. But if those are the standards, then how is Stanford allowed to go to the Rose Bowl? Where is there any evidence that the Cardinal’s prospects are significantly higher than the Bears’? I realize Andrew Luck and Jim Harbaugh are two of the hottest names in the Pac-10 right now, but that Stanford team wasn’t that good last year. And it no longer has its Toby
I just want consistent standards. Any “best case” world that envisions a Stanford Rose Bowl this year, I believe, should also allow for the possibility of a Cal Rose Bowl.
Go Bears!
by California Pete on Jul 15, 2010 10:38 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
But if those are the standards, then how is Stanford allowed to go to the Rose Bowl? Where is there any evidence that the Cardinal’s prospects are significantly higher than the Bears’?
There is no real “evidence.” I think Stanfurd is riding a “feel good” wave where the knee jerk reaction is to think the program is on the upswing and won’t miss a beat. There is an analogy, perhaps, to how Cal was perceived from 2003 to 2004, and maybe even to 2005.
We’ll see if Stanfurd meets or exceeds these optimistic expectations. Until they do, we’ll just sit quietly across the Bay, win our own games, and polish the Axe we own.
Yes, I am an Old Blue. Now get off my lawn.
GREAT ARTICLE!!!!!
Ted has a way of over-estimating Cal’s abilities. I believe he has jinxed us in the past. So giving us a low bar might actually provide the incentive we need to over-achieve. I mean psychologically anyways isn’t that the M.O. of Cal alumns and students? Work our asses off to prove we belong, but once we are seen as actually having a level of superiority shoot ourselves in the foot?
Maybe I’m just speaking from personal experience. ;-P
by PlayClassyBears on Jul 16, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
love me some CGB...
but I think the Bears will win 7 games. O-line, D-line, receivers, secondary, qb… lots of really huge question marks. New DC, new STC… none of this adds up to 10 w’s IMO.
"He's so fast, he can turn off the lights and be in bed before it gets dark!" -- Lee Corso on Jahvid Best in NCAA 10.
I’m looking at 8 with upside of 10 and downside of 6
o=========<| BBBBBBEARZZZZZZ
by Thoroughbred on Jul 15, 2010 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions
This
"UC Davis??? hahahahaha" - Aaron Rodgers
by atomsareenough on Jul 16, 2010 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Uncle Ted’s going to have to learn how to spell Stanfurd correctly. Acceptable forms also include Stanfraid or Stanfeit.
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark
Am I the only one who noticed that in both the Best and Worst case scenarios Ted has us beating Ucla?
I guess things aren’t all bad.
Careful, man. There's a beverage here!
if UCLA is the only gimme that’s still bad. They haven’t had consistently good teams since the 20th century.
by PlayClassyBears on Jul 16, 2010 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
GoldenBlogs' FAQ and Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
About Us
• About the Golden Bloggers
• Our previous site @ Blogsome
• Avinash @ Bears Necessity
• Best of the Golden Blogs
• Golden Blogs Interviews
• HydroTech's Cal Football Analyses
• Ron Fimrite's Anatomy Of A Miracle
• CGB Weekly Guides
• GoldenBlogs' Community Guidelines
• GoldenBlogs' FAQ
• CGB GIF Army
Learn More About The California Golden Blogs Clothing Store
Pac-12 On SBN
Pacific Takes (Pac-12) NORTH AddictedToQuack: (Oregon)
UW Dawg Pound: (Washington)
CougCenter: (Washington State)
BuildingTheDam: (Oregon State)
Rule Of Tree: (Stanford)
CaliforniaGoldenBlogs: (Cal)
SOUTH
BruinsNation: (UCLA)
ConquestChronicles: (USC)
HouseOfSparky: (ASU)
Arizona Desert Swarm: (Arizona)
TheRalphieReport: (Colorado)
Block U: (Utah)
Golden Bears Football Schedule
| Fresno St. | Sat 09/03 | W 36 - 21 |
@
Colorado
|
Sat 09/10 | W 36 - 33 |
| Presbyterian | Sat 09/17 | W 63 - 12 |
|
@
Washington
|
Sat 09/24 | L 23 - 31 |
|
@
Oregon
|
Thu 10/06 | L 15 - 43 |
|
USC
|
Thu 10/13 | L 9 - 30 |
|
Utah
|
Sat 10/22 | W 34 - 10 |
|
@
UCLA
|
Sat 10/29 | L 14 - 31 |
|
Washington St.
|
Sat 11/05 | W 30 - 7 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Sat 11/12 | W 23 - 6 |
|
@
Stanford
|
Sat 11/19 | L 28 - 31 |
|
@
Arizona St.
|
Fri 11/25 | W 47 - 38 |
|
@
Texas
|
Wed 12/28 | L 10 - 21 |
Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 1.2.2012 at 11:12 PM PST)
| North | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Oregon Ducks
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
8 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
|
Washington Huskies
|
5 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
|
California Golden Bears
|
4 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
3 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
| South | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
USC Trojans
|
7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
|
Utah Utes
|
4 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
|
Colorado Buffaloes
|
2 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
