Golden Nuggets: Shaq Thompson, Ellis McCarthy, and Jordan Payton on Why They Committed to Cal
by Berkelium97 on Jan 8, 2012 12:00 PM PST
in Golden Nuggets
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PrintWith two five-star defensive players and one four-star receiver, Cal's 2012 recruiting class is making the jump from excellent to elite. Let's take a look at why these guys decided to join the Bears.
Shaq Thompson is motivated to help take Cal to its first ever BCS game.
When asked about Cal's stellar class, with earlier commitments today from Oaks Christian receiver Jordan Payton and Monrovia defensive end Ellis McCarthy, Thompson said: "We just always feel really comfortable there, and we're gonna change the game."
Thompson's decision was a popular one with his family, including Denver Bronco safety Syd Thompson, his brother.
"Oh man, it's a good fit for him," said Syd Thompson. "The Bear family was always good to me, both while I was there and after and I'll make sure they're good to him, too.
Like Thompson, McCarthy also wants to get Cal to that next level. Tosh appears to have played a big role in getting the five-star DT to join the Bears.
"I'm gonna pick Cal," said McCarthy as he put on his Cal hat. " I just really like Coach Tosh. I like the program a lot, and he's really teaching me a lot. I've built a relationship with him and the team."
And when asked what he hoped to accomplish at Cal: "Probably just go in and try to get a BCS bowl or a Rose Bowl, and just help my team out," said the always-understated McCarthy.
Payton, the 20th-rated wide receiver, appreciated the family atmosphere and academics.
"Overall, I feel the best there," Payton said. "It's like a family for me. It's like talking to one of my parents. They're good guys.
"I know all of the players up there. They all welcomed me. Overall, it's just the best place for me. It's not too far from home, but far enough away to where I can kind of do my own thing. Everything's just...it's just the right school. Academics - which is what I'm about - it's perfect
After the jump Aaron Rodgers continues to be awesome and the women's basketball team almost had more rebounds than points allowed in a big win over Oregon.
Football
- Aaron Rodgers was named as a a first-team member of the Associated Press 2011 NFL All-Pro-team.
- BearTerritory.net has more from McCarthy, including some of his practice film from the US Army All-American Bowl.
- Faraudo recaps the big day for Cal recruiting.
Basketball
- The Bears put up 90 on the Ducks in a 23-point victory to earn the weekend sweep at home.
- Quotes and video from the post-game press conference. Lindsay Gottlieb was pleased with the effort, particularly with the Bears' unbelievable 63-26 rebounding edge over Oregon. Cal turned 28 offensive rebounds into 29 second-chance points (Oregon had 1 second-chance point).
- On Friday Mike Montgomery looked back at "what could have been" in the men's loss to Oregon State.
- Brandon Smith sustained a concussion against Oregon State. He will almost certainly miss today's game.
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Needs more blue and less green.
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 12:22 PM PST up reply actions
Let’s end the culture of “doooom” right now. Pumping sunshine never was more appropriate.
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 8, 2012 12:21 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
You’ll never see a cool quilt back away…
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 12:30 PM PST up reply actions
BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
"Today's weather, excessively violent with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our 5-day forecast!"
~ Three Dog - Fallout 3
Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?
by Cugel on Jan 8, 2012 12:25 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
DOOM
ARGH! I really hope Bridgford is ready for 2012.
First four games of 2012 just got very, very interesting.
"We need more players who play the Game Of Trolls!"
-TwistNHook
by Redonkulous Bear on Jan 8, 2012 12:40 PM PST reply actions
Please explain?
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 8, 2012 12:55 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Does anyone have anything specific?
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 12:56 PM PST up reply actions
Which would be the Nevada, Southern Utah, @ tOSU, @ USC. No big deal!
If this is indeed true and AB can go 3-1 or the unthinkable 4-0……………………………….
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark
???? Someone please enlighten me?
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 8, 2012 12:59 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
There was apparently a rumor posted somewhere (Scout, perhaps) relating to Maynard that implied he might miss the first 4 games of next season for unspecified reasons, but nobody apparently knows anything specific and nothing is confirmed.
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
yup
"We need more players who play the Game Of Trolls!"
-TwistNHook
by Redonkulous Bear on Jan 8, 2012 1:05 PM PST up reply actions
the “Start Kline” train will leave the the station if this is true….
by ucsdgoldenbear on Jan 8, 2012 1:05 PM PST up reply actions
Actually
the start Kline train substantially cooled after the UA game. Personally, I don’t know how anyone can base anything off of a few series in a game like that, particularly when most scouts there said he was the best qb in practice by a wide margin. I also think it is a good thing, as I prefer to redshirt players whenever possible, particularly for qbs and linemen.
Really? I saw the highlights and while he had a couple of off passes and got pressured a lot, I didn’t see anything that would tilt my opinion of him either way.
In any case, I do think he should RS unless he enrolls in the spring.
In other words, Go Bears!
In any case, I do think he should RS unless he enrolls in the spring.
According to the Rivals site, his LOI is already signed and he should be on campus next week when classes start.
"Fuck DOOOOOM. We prefer BOOOOOM!! - alpha1906
I do think he’ll need to redshirt a year and catch up to college speed. I made a noted during the UA game, but it doesn’t seem like he has the best pocket presence, although that may have been a bad day. Just getting used to his new line and learning the offense will do him good.
Tavita Pritchard!
"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
I almost don't mind if it's true. nothing against Maynard but I'm interested to see what's behind him and this is the only non-injury means of seeing it.
UCSD Triton Football: Still Undefeated!
by CaliGolden Triton on Jan 8, 2012 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
It also might give Hinder/Boehm/Bridgford more motivation (and I’m not implying that is any issue or anything like that)
yea
I have no idea how this will play out. I guess some more competition can’t hurt? I’m actually more interested to see how Hinder performs, from my limited exposure to our QBs I feel like he has the most upside.
by ucsdgoldenbear on Jan 8, 2012 1:12 PM PST up reply actions
I would’ve been more worried about this had this been 2010 when there was a clear gap between Riley and the rest.
However I don’t blame Maynard much for his Holiday Bowl performance because the OL didn’t give him any time. He was pretty good when he got time as we saw the three prior games.
As for Bridgford, he’s got an arm but I’m not so sure of his decision making. That said I only saw him versus Oregon when we were down big (he didn’t do anything notable against Presby or WSU).
In other words, Go Bears!
i agree regarding the holiday bowl. dude was running for his life all game and he still made some decent throws. granted, he had some bad ones too but we knew what to expect.
UCSD Triton Football: Still Undefeated!
by CaliGolden Triton on Jan 8, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
Can anyone be more specific about the rumor? Why 4 games?
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 8, 2012 1:09 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
A reliable poster on the Scout boards who has generally posted accurate “insider” information about recruiting and the Cal program left a rather vague statement that hinted that Maynard may not be available for the first 4 games of next season and has not said anything else since. So that’s all that is known so far.
i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*
Saw it
Not sure the point of posting something so vague.
Either way, I’d be comfortable with Bridgford in. The guy’s got an arm!
Maybe HCB hasn’t been cleared to say anything further just yet due to the sensitivity of the issue? Especially if it’s something related to a specific player and not just some general news about the team.
i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*
Then what's the point of saying something in the first place?
I dont’ see anything positive coming from it.
The guy who posted the rumor hasn’t followed up with any details yet. If you’re interested, I think this is the thread:
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=166&f=1419&t=8542799
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
I guess this guy has a legit reputation, but it feels like we’re provided a concern troll the attention they want.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
If we can get HCB this will be a monster recruiting class
"We need more players who play the Game Of Trolls!"
-TwistNHook
by Redonkulous Bear on Jan 8, 2012 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 10 recs
#trollgang
"Fuck DOOOOOM. We prefer BOOOOOM!! - alpha1906
by golden oso on Jan 8, 2012 3:19 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
That is awesome.
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 8, 2012 1:40 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Really"? I can’t knock off HCB? I question all of these ratings!
In the Game of Trolls, you either troll or you die.
CaliforniaGoldenBlogs: Read It | Follow It | Like It | Wear It
If...
You troll tremendously during your stint in D1 trolling, you will probably become a first round troll draft pick. But you must prove yourself in D1 trolling first.
"We need more players who play the Game Of Trolls!"
-TwistNHook
by Redonkulous Bear on Jan 8, 2012 7:44 PM PST up reply actions
Ugh, he needs to get away. Too many commentors telling him he is the Troll of Trolls, how will he improve if he’s so complacent?
FUTBALL IZ SRS BUSINESS GUYZ // ONLY HAVE FUN WHEN ROZ BWL
--Thoroughbred
We need to break him down and build him back up!
"We need more players who play the Game Of Trolls!"
-TwistNHook
by Redonkulous Bear on Jan 8, 2012 8:52 PM PST up reply actions
needs MoreNCsAreComing
"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark
Oh god, has that troll ever tried or has posted on CGB before?
by SDBear on Jan 8, 2012 9:17 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
moreNCs
That troll posts anywhere and everywhere. I’ll give it credit for being prolific.
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 9, 2012 9:17 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Meh
People were talking about it anyway. At least with the link people aren’t wondering what on earth people are referring to, and they can decide to assign whatever importance they feel it deserves.
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
It’s such a vague post I’ve decided to not worry about it until some conclusive evidence is given.
NYCGOBEARS
by NYCGOBEARS on Jan 8, 2012 1:51 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Troll Hard University...
“We Get The Best Trolls On Earth!”
Lawrence Ross
by alpha1906 on Jan 8, 2012 2:42 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Our sturdy golden troll
Is trolling from the webz
You’ll never see a cool quilt back away…
by cldpc on Jan 8, 2012 2:48 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
ROLL ON YOU TROLLS
"We need more players who play the Game Of Trolls!"
-TwistNHook
by Redonkulous Bear on Jan 8, 2012 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
or
TROLL ON YOU BEARS!
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 8, 2012 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Women's Basketball destroyed the Ducks!
Not only was the final score 90-67, but Cal had 37 more rebounds than Oregon. 37! Cal had 63 rebounds, Oregon had 26. And Cal had 28 offensive rebounds, to 4 offensive rebounds for the Ducks. It was quite a performance!
CGB: The Strangest Blog
by CalBear81 on Jan 8, 2012 2:49 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
ROLL ON YOU BEARS
THIS JUST MADE MY WEEK!!!1
If Maynard misses first 4 games...
From bearinsider — the most reasonable cause is academic ineligibility…
I tried to find the Cal student athlete handbook to prove this, but unfortunately only found the $C handbook – which supports this idea. If the below is correct, there’s a chance Maynard can get his books on and miss only 2 games to make his 2012 start at tOSU… I don’t know how I feel about this though.
“*Football must pass 9 units each fall semester to be eligible to play the following fall. If the player does not meet this requirement they must sit the first 4 games of the season. However, if the player passes 27 units within that academic year they earn back 2 of the games.” -Page 20
Why? Would you rather have Bridgford with 2 total career starts under his belt take on Ohio State, or would you rather have Maynard starting his first game of the season start in the horseshoe?
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 9, 2012 7:09 AM PST up reply actions
(not to mention USC in the next game)
"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded
by atomsareenough on Jan 9, 2012 7:09 AM PST up reply actions
Because those 2 games will be against mediocre opponents and basically whoever starts is going to be the “savior” of the team. No one’s going to want to go back to Maynard, even with the knowledge that we know nothing about the guy who takes over. If it’s 4 games, then the new guy gets to play at Ohio State and we know what we actually have, and it won’t be yet another QB controversy in Cal.
if this proves true, and Maynard misses all 4 games to start, I think it’ll be hard to displace Bridg as the starter, unless Bridg is absolutely atrocious in all the games (Brock Mansion style!!). And from what I can tell from the boards, the offense under Bridg likely won’t be that much worse off (especially if he starts getting 1st team snaps in practice due to Maynard’s supsension), so the suspension may cost Maynard’s job permanently
Also, does the suspension also mean Maynard can’t practice w/ the team for those 4 weeks? Or is it a case where he’s just not allowed to play in games?.
From HCB on the scout boards for people who haven't been following
I was vague because while I believe it is news Cal fans are interested in, the details should come out when the people involved choose to make them public. Perhaps it was a mistake to mention the situation, but it will be mentioned and discussed at length soon enough. My mentioning it accelerated its discussion, but the discussion would have occurred irrespective of whether I ever brought it up.
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