Cal Football 2011 First Looks: Potential Strengths

by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 15, 2011 10:30 AM PDT in California Golden Bears Football

What do you believe will a pleasant surprise in 2011?

Avinash: The passing game. It can't possibly get worse than those last four games. The wide receiving corps should be much deeper next season with last year's class working their way into the rotation and Marvin Jones and Keenan Allen leading the way. I will take this back if Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney get the nod as opening day starter, but I believe a young/new face will provide enthusiasm and optimism for our offense to work with. I have a good feeling that Austin Hinder could be the guy, although I'd be satisfied with Allan Bridgford as well.

Kodiak: Despite all the hand-wringing over the running game, I think we're going to be just fine there. I'm also going to go out on a limb and predict that Giorgio will redeem himself as a senior. He's going to win a game for us with some clutch kicking and the guys will carry him off the field on their shoulders. Write that down. You heard it here first.

Berkelium97: The passing game. Bridgford tosses an accurate ball and he'll have plenty of talented receivers. I'd be surprised if the passing game is as great as it was under Longshore's first (full) year, but I have a feeling we'll be better than many people expect. Michalzcik and Kiesau are big upgrades over their predecessors.

atomsareenough: I'm not worried about the RB position, really. Between Sofele, CDJ, Yarnway, and Briggs, somebody will step up, and I trust Coach Gould. I think the defense will continue to be a strength for the team as well.

norcalnick: I really do believe that Giorgio Tavecchio will be an above average college kicker next year. Dude was powerfully unlucky last year, and I think he has the mental makeup to not let that bad luck keep him down. He showed a much improved leg on both kickoffs and field goals - now it's just a matter of a little more accuracy and a little more luck. 2011 will be the Italian Stallion's year.

Ohio Bear: Giorgio Tavecchio. We remember the misses, obviously, but his total season wasn't as bad as many might think. He was 11 of 16 in FG attempts (68.8%) and was 4 of 6 from 40+ yards. With another year of maturity and hopefully buoyed by the confidence of how he finished the season (makes from 53 and 47 yards in the season finale vs. Washington), he will break out and be the reliable kicker we need.

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

HInder?

Avinash, over the years I’ve come to respect your opinion and steady gaze and so your remark about Hinder is not something I take lightly, since there is no sign of sarcasm or joking. From everything I have read, he isn’t even in the picture right now. Not one of the three and didn’t I read that Tedford said he was like a “puppy” out there?

I don’t know anything but what I read, and truly don’t care much other than finding a capable qb, but can you reveal any of your reasons for putting Hinder in the mix? Seems momentum is with Maynard and Bridgford. I fear Maynard is a paper dragon and that Bridgford will be unremarkably OK. Still hoping for a bit of magic from someone. Have you heard that exists in Hinder?

by Calbear91 on Apr 15, 2011 11:13 AM PDT reply actions

I think Avi wrote this prior to the announcement of the QB race getting cut to Mansion, Bridgford and Maynard.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Apr 15, 2011 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

but Hinder’s a buck sixty or so.

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Apr 15, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

If it was written before and just posted now, no one re-read it for editing?

That said, Tedford has said Hinder throws the best ball but is still too young and skinny. Perhaps the new strength program will assist him with that. he really shouldn’t be that behind. Also, not everyone needs to look like a NFL ready QB. Maynard is pretty thin and Tom Brady was very thin while at Michigan.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Apr 15, 2011 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Can I get a quote? I can’t recall Tedford mentioning that much about Hinder.

"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

by AERose on Apr 15, 2011 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions

From Uncle Ted:

Coach Jeff Tedford said that that senior Brock Mansion, junior Zach Maynard and sophomore Allan Bridgford are the finalist for the starting job. He said redshirt freshman Austin Hinder was fourth and had impressed him but his chances were hurt by his youth. Junior Beau Sweeney, who was Kevin Riley’s backup over the early portion of the 2010 season, ended up No. 5.

Per Okanes:

Tedford has already said that Hinder, who will be a redshirt freshman, realistically won’t be in the mix.

Sorry. I couldn’t find the one where he specifically said that Hinder was still too young and skinny. I think it was Okanes that reported it, though.

Old Toothwrangler

by Kodiak on Apr 16, 2011 1:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Evidently not! Most of this was written in January.

California Golden Bears: 2nd place is nothing to sneeze at!

by atomsareenough on Apr 16, 2011 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Kaelin Clay

After watching the 1st open practice and reading reports lead me to think that Kaelin Clay could be our darkhorse playmaker come this fall. Of course, someone has to get the ball into his hands…

#Dominate

by solarise on Apr 15, 2011 12:02 PM PDT reply actions

Most recent BI practice report...

had MJ and KC dropping perfectly thrown passes – hopefully a temporary lapse in focus which will not carry over into games

/crosses fingers

by SierraBear on Apr 15, 2011 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Tavecchio

The Oregon debacle, to me, doesn’t suggest that he’s got the “mental makeup” of a very good kicker. Sure, he might have some nice games but I’m not confident should he be faced with any game winning kick from 35+ out and/or any kick from the hash marks.

That being said, I was happy with his kickoffs.

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Apr 15, 2011 12:49 PM PDT reply actions

I agree that he’ll be okay. In some other post, I added Ryan Longwell’s stats from his 1st three years, and Tavecchio’’s were slightly better IIRC.

We seem set for punter this year and in the future. Where will we be for kickers? I think Georgio’s biggest problem was that he was thrown into duty too early as a true freshman. Ideally, last year should have been his 1st year with next year being his RS senior year.

by cal85 on Apr 15, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

People didn't think Alexis Serna had the 'mental makeup' to be a kicker, and then he won the Lou Groza award.

It’s a waste of time to play amateur psychologist.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Apr 15, 2011 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Running backs

I’m surprised Tedford’s suggested that Sofele’s >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Rest in the same way that I was surprised last year when Riley was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Rest. Both are/were troubling for the present and the future. Here’s to hoping that Sofele’s much more improved over last year. To me, 2010 Riley wasn’t >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2009 Riley

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Apr 15, 2011 12:59 PM PDT reply actions

Tedford was right in that Riley>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The rest. and you konw how that “rest” turned out.
So if Sofele>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The rest is correct again, we are in big trouble.

by JustBear on Apr 15, 2011 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I’ve been reading that Manuel has been the guy showing real flash and that Sofele, while ahead of the others, may be moreso because of his knowledge of the offense. I feel pretty confident that one of the new guys is going to get a ton of run this fall.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Apr 15, 2011 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Also, remember Bigelow isn’t practicing in pads yet, right? He’s probably going to be our #1 guy before long, but he’s apparently not healthy enough yet.

California Golden Bears: 2nd place is nothing to sneeze at!

by atomsareenough on Apr 16, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Do you think there’s a chance Sofele could be a competent back if we actually had adequate oline play? He seems to have solid physical skills – sure he’s short, but it’s not like he’s Noel Devine running at 170 pounds or anything, he has a good frame on him, and he’s quick and shifty…..

by Missing Barry on Apr 15, 2011 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Agree on Sofele’s size, he seems to be about the same as that Rodgers kid from ORST who was also about 5’7, 188. Rodgers did ok for himself.

Having said that, reports out of camp have Manuel outperforming Sofele. Take it with a grain of salt because its too early to tell, some people doing the reporting seem biased towards Manuel, and neither player consistently runs only with the 1st team offense.

Drinking the Kool-Aid. Pumping the sunshine. Livin' the dream. Go Bears!

by dballisloose on Apr 15, 2011 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Avi you're way off on Hinder

He’s not really in the mix as the top three (according to Tedford) are: Mansion, Maynard and Bridgford

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Apr 15, 2011 1:39 PM PDT reply actions

this whole post seems outdated, like it got posted a few weeks later than it was supposed to. seems like we’ve had more news addressing these questions at the various positions than what is suggested.

e.g. we’re down to just 3 qbs who have a realistic shot at starting, georgio has very consistent in practices, manuel has been mentioned repeatedly, etc

Drinking the Kool-Aid. Pumping the sunshine. Livin' the dream. Go Bears!

by dballisloose on Apr 15, 2011 4:23 PM PDT reply actions

It’s like 3 months old.

California Golden Bears: 2nd place is nothing to sneeze at!

by atomsareenough on Apr 16, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow, this roundtable is wayyy old.

I would have mentioned Anderson, Manuel, and Bigelow as well if it had been anytime in the past few weeks.

California Golden Bears: 2nd place is nothing to sneeze at!

by atomsareenough on Apr 16, 2011 10:13 AM PDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Golden Bears Football Schedule

Fresno St.	Sat 09/03	W 36 - 21
@ Colorado The Ralphie Report	Sat 09/10	W 36 - 33
Presbyterian	Sat 09/17	W 63 - 12
@ Washington UW Dawg Pound	Sat 09/24	L 23 - 31
@ Oregon Addicted To Quack	Thu 10/06	L 15 - 43
USC Conquest Chronicles	Thu 10/13	L 9 - 30
Utah Block U	Sat 10/22	W 34 - 10
@ UCLA Bruins Nation	Sat 10/29	L 14 - 31
Washington St. CougCenter	Sat 11/05	W 30 - 7
Oregon St. Building The Dam	Sat 11/12	W 23 - 6
@ Stanford Rule Of Tree	Sat 11/19	L 28 - 31
@ Arizona St. House Of Sparky	Fri 11/25	W 47 - 38
@ Texas Burnt Orange Nation	Wed 12/28	L 10 - 21