Tosh Tosh Tosh Tosh! The Cal Defensive Linemen in 2011
NorCalNick: Considering the loss of Cameron Jordan and Derrick Hill and the recruitment of so much young talent on the line, this year arguably could be viewed as a transition year for the line, with expectations concurrently lowered.
Kodiak: Guyton quietly had a really solid year at end. I thought Tipoti made some strides this year, too, and I'm excited to have him back as a senior. With another year in the weight room with Coach Blasquez as well as additional time to refine his pad level, it'll be interesting to see if "Tiny" Moala can push Tipoti/Payne to earn himself more time.
Avinash: Pendergast used a 2-5-4? Kodiak, I remember 2-4-5 in 2010, but I don't think I ever saw 5 linebackers on the field.
Actually, instead of more linebackers, we ended up using many less. This year I saw a lot more four man fronts with our defensive line corps, particularly near the end of the season.. When Wilkerson and McCain got hurt we put Owusu/Gutyon/Jalil rotating in at DE spots, then Tipoti/Moala/Coleman/Payne as our DTs. It didn't work amazingly, but the Cal run D improved from average to solid.
The fact that we can be multiple in our D-line formations shows that Tosh has found and developed almost every player he has and molded them into one of the strongest and most consistent units in college football. Owusu and Guyton have minimized the loss of Cam, Tipoti the loss of Hill. Jalil has impressed. Deandre Coleman and Gabe King are probably our most heralded recruits of the bunch, and they're not even playing that much!
Kodiak: He used the 2-4-5 more often.
One of the things that probably annoyed people about Gregory was his inflexible scheme. It was either 3-4 one year or 4-3 the next year. I didn't mind it (defense always kept us in games), but it seems like a refreshing change of pace to have a DC who changes up the way his defense . It probably helps our better players reach their potential faster, although it also might confuse college guys who aren't quite as ready to adapt and adjust.
HydroTech: I suppose there is some benefit to just having one scheme over multiple schemes. With one scheme, your players don't need to learn as much and can focus on doing that one thing really well. But, on the other hand, just having one scheme gives your opponents less to prepare for. To wit, many opposing coaches have admitted that Cal's multiple formation offense is very hard to prepare for.
LeonPowe: I think people who know a lot more about football then me have all contributed - even Twist, but I have a question. With the recent lack of deep success on o-line recruiting combined with the over abundence of bodies on the defensive side . . .is there any talk or chance of someone pulling a Langston Walker?
TwistNHook: Looking at this position at the start of the year,there was definite excitement:
There was hope that Tosh could really coach up a team losing one of the best DLinemen in the nation (Cameron Jordan). There was hope that young players like Gabe King and Tiny could step up to the plate.
Do people feel that the DL met the expectations set for it at the start of the year?
HydroTech: I do feel like the DL has met their expectations. For the most part, they've done a good job stopping runs, and playing their gaps. I guess I would prefer to see more sacks out of them, but I think sacks can be a little harder for the DL to come by in a 3-4 defense.
Avinash: I believe Cheadle was a converted D-linemen. But it's not typical. You have to learn different techniques, and it usually takes at least a year to get it all down pat.
I don't think you'll see anyone switch up unless it's the only way they can make the field. We'll see. Players grow and develop.
OhioBear: I was worried about the D-line coming into the season. I thought we'd really miss Cameron Jordan's production. And I thought that guys like Tiny Moala and Mustafa Jalil, though talented, would have growing pains coming in and playing as true freshmen. But in the end, I think I underestimated the talent of the rest of the group.
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That’s it, Kod; don’t let Avi get up in your grill on the defensive scheme!!! You TELL him; 2-5-4, B%tch !!!!!
MOD FIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome write-up, y’all. These guys did a great job this year and the future looks bright.
Contract extension for Tosh !!!!!!
I'd like to smell the Roses before I die.
by BTown85 on Dec 17, 2011 7:19 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Hehe. Extension.
Cal Football: I loved them once and they broke my heart. Let that be a lesson to you. Never love anything.
by CalBandGreat on Dec 17, 2011 12:37 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve heard some talk that Scarlett might be moved to rush backer. This also isn’t considering that we are looking good with guys like Arik Armstead (with conjecture that his brother Armond might transfer from SC) and Aziz Shittu, and under consideration by a bunch of 4/5 star guys. DL is going to be insanely deep.
Scarlett has been playing outside linebacker this season. He hasn’t been listed at DE since fall camp.
and then Wilkerson could move inside with McCain and Whitesides also staying outside. I don’t think we have enough ILB talent to have Wilkerson, McCain, Scarlett, Whitesides, and probably some other recruited flavor of the year all stay at OLB.
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark
Out of curiosity, how much does our rotation play into keeping these guys excited and involved in the program? In contrast to other positions, being on the 2-deep (and even the 3-deep) means getting playing time. Contrast this to WR or QB, where the 2nd stringers were on the bench all year. Does this play a big role in keeping backups from transferring? And does it help with recruiting?
I'm a little worried about Coleman and King
I was expecting a bit more out of those two this season and was hoping they would have established themselves at the end of the season as starters.
by SDBear on Dec 17, 2011 12:04 PM PST via mobile reply actions
yeah, I was really hoping for great stuff from Gabe King.
I was actually hoping he would become a starter by summer camp, but was disappointed when he wasn’t even on 2-deep.
King will only be a sophomore next year, but if he’s slow developing, he would have to watch out for younger players to pass him quickly on depth chart.
What would we do without Tosh? Thank goodness we have him! All I want for Christmas is Shaq and Arik in Berkekey.
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Dec 17, 2011 3:58 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Tosh NEEDS a raise once Cal starts seeing some of that television money. Cal HAS to hold on to him.
Just Plain Sports
www.youtube.com/JustPlainSports
He’s getting paid well privately, from all I hear.
by Avinash Kunnath on Dec 18, 2011 8:47 PM PST up reply actions
Guyton, Owusu, and Tipoti will be significant losses off this year’s team going into next season.
I thought Tipoti was a junior. He should be back next year, no?
And he looked like Alualu occasionally this year.
He kinda did. And yeah, Tipoti’s a junior.
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Dec 17, 2011 8:16 PM PST up reply actions
Tosh went to Cal
so it would be pretty hard to get him away unless he were to be offered a DC job somewhere.
There were rumors of programs offering Tosh their Head Coaching position last year. Tosh stayed blue & gold and I think he has every intention to work up the ladder to become the next Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach @ Cal.
by solarise on Dec 17, 2011 9:25 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
…D-I programs offered him a HC position? …to a position coach? Don’t get me wrong, I think Tosh is awesome and I definitely see him as a potential DC and eventually HC someday, hopefully for us, but eventually is the operative word there.
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Dec 17, 2011 10:06 PM PST up reply actions
Your implication is that Tosh needs more seasoning/experience? Some programs are willing to roll the dice. Lane Kiffin & Pat Fitzgerald come to mind. Tosh’s ability to connect with talented recruits makes him extremely attractive as a Head Coach candidate.
by solarise on Dec 18, 2011 12:34 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Kiffin was OC at USC after Chow left. So he was at least a coordinator first. Though, how he made the leap from 2-year college coordinator to NFL head coach is a bit of a head scratcher.
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Dec 18, 2011 8:28 AM PST up reply actions
I agree. Phil Fullmer comes to mind. Tosh coaches has expertise in one of the most important position groups and is a fantastic recruiter. A program could hire experienced and well paid assistants and let Tosh recruit, recruit, and recruit.
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

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