Golden Nuggets: "You Can't Ride the Roller Coaster Being in That Position"

Last year's big offseason change in Kevin Riley was physical--he improved his increasingly unusual throwing motion.  This year, his big offseason change seems to be mental.

A little older now and a little more mature, Riley has seemed to turn that confidence into contentment — not that he is satisfied with himself as a player but perhaps he is at peace with the fact that he is doing everything he can to be the best player he possibly can, and that the experience he now has — whether it be the good moments or bad moments — makes him more prepared for his final season.

"It’s experience," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "He’s been at the high and he’s been at the low and I think he’s figured out where the middle ground is — not to get too high and not to get too low. Put it in perspective, take it in stride and know that he’s not going to please everybody. He’s going to do his best to be the best player he can be, be a strong quarterback and a leader of this team. From there, you can’t ride the roller coaster being in that position. I think he’s figured that out."

From all accounts, Riley had a good spring. During the Saturdays practice was open to the media and the brief stretches  we were allowed to watch during the week, Riley seemed to make good decisions and was efficient running Cal’s offense.

Riley regularly put in extra work after practice during the spring.

"I just think I’ve grown up a lot and understand what’s important and what you need to do to get better and become a better football player," Riley said. "These past few months I took a hard, long look at myself and the games we lost and how we lost them. I want to do everything I can not to let that happen again."

After the jump we look into the future (yes, the future), all the way to the 2010 NBA Draft and the 2011 NFL Draft.  We also take another look at reactions to Best and Alualu's first round picks.

Cal Football

• The most recent Bear to sign a free agency contract is Devin Bishop who has joined the Denver Broncos.
• Wilner lists the Pac-10's top-20 NFL draft prospects for 2011.  Mike Mohamed was number 10 in his list.
• Wilner goes over the winners and losers of the 2010 NFL draft and names Cal a winner for having two first-round picks since 2003.
• Mel Kiper says Best and Suh are the biggest impact players from the first round of the draft.  
• Detroit Lions coach talks about how excited he is to have Best on the team.
• Tosh Lupoi and Jacksonville Jaguars director of player personnel, Terry McDonough, look at how Alualu's draft stock skyrocketed, leading him to be the no. 10 pick.  The Jags have released two-time Pro Bowl DT John Henderson, raising some speculation that they will shift the D-line around to allow Alualu to start immediately.
• SportsIllustrated looks ahead to the 2011 draft, calling Cameron Jordan the no. 35 overall prospect.
• Mike Mohamed (4th ILB) and Kevin Riley (8th QB) are in CBSSports' top-150 prospects for the 2011 draft.