Golden Nuggets: Kiesau Talks about His Return to Cal

JO had the chance to talk to Eric Kiesau about his second stint at Cal.  He's hoping to help return the Cal receiving game to its 2003-2005 levels.

On what he thinks of Cal’s current crop of receivers:
"I’m fired up. I can’t wait to get my arm around these guys. Honestly, one of the things that intrigued me when Jeff called was the roster. Keenan Allen, Tevin Carter, Marvin, Calvin, Clay – the list goes on and on. There’s a good combination of size and speed already existing. I can’t wait until the 18^th to introduce myself and start getting to know them."

On how well he knows Cal’s receivers at this point:
"Marvin and Tevin, I recruited those two guys. We wanted those two guys real bad at Colorado. We couldn’t get them to come. I know them well, Marvin better than Tevin. Obviously, I know what Keenan can do."
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On what it means to be the passing game coordinator:
"All it means is Andy (Ludwig) and I will get together and solidify the final details on what is going into the game paln. We will be working together as we put the game plan together. Andy will still call the plays."

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On whether he and Tedford split on bad terms the first time:
"We kept in touch all through the five years. I texted him and asked him for advice when I was offensive coordinator (at Colorado). I used a lot of what I learned at Cal at Colorado. I have enormous respect for Jeff. If anyone thinks I left on bad terms, it’s a big misconception. People think I didn’t want to grind. That wasn’t the case at all. It was a family decision."

After the jump Marshawn Lynch shakes the earth, Ted Miller posts his pre-pre-preseason 2011 power rankings, and Cal picks up another promising recruit.

Football

• Vereen has some new competition in the NFL draft: Jacquizz Rodgers, whose declaration was unexpected after all of his talk about returning next year.
• With some help from the Seahawks crowd, Marshawn Lynch generated a measurable tremor on Saturday.
• Joel Willis has decommitted from Washington and decided to become a Bear.  He can play a number of positions: receiver, defensive back, and kick/punt returner.   With Cal's lack of depth at cornerback, look for him to play defense in the coming years.
• Cal is 8th in Ted Miller's way-too-early 2011 Pac-12 power rankings.