Today we're checking in with two fan-favorite Cal RBs as they prepare for the upcoming season. First up is Jahvid Best, who was not cleared by doctors to play.
Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best, who has not played since suffering another concussion last October, likely will start this season on the physically unable to perform list and miss at least the first six games, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Doctors still have not cleared Best to play, a surprise to some Lions officials but evidence of how carefully Detroit is bringing him along.
Shane Vereen also fought through injury problems last season after he twice strained his hamstring. Now that he found the solution to stay healthy, he looks forward to making a splash this season.
Looking back, he thinks he knows why he had those health issues.
"Basically I wasn't taking care of my body the way I should have. That's what it came down to. It took a while, but once I learned how to do that ... " he said, pointing to veteran running back Kevin Faulk as a crucial influence in that area.
"Then it was also figuring out what was the issue -- what was tight, what was wrong -- and then doing things to prevent it, to stay loose all the time, to strengthen the muscles that were weak, just so that I wouldn't miss any more time.
"It's just being more aware; when you wake up, how do you feel? And then staying ahead of the curve, instead of waiting for something to happen -- be proactive and don't let it happen."
Here's a question: would you rather see Jahvid return to the field or hang up his helmet to protect his health? Plenty of fall camp updates after the jump.
Football
- The Pac-12 Network launched yesterday. Unfortunately, if you're a Cox subscriber in Southern California you're going to be stuck with the Pac-12 LA channel. That's it. No Pac-12 Network, just Pac-12 LA. Yours truly is among the many stuck in this dilemma.
- ESPN looks at key games for hot seat coaches. Haney identifies a key three-game stretch for Tedford's tenure: vs ASU, vs UCLA, at WSU. Going up against three first-year coaches, Tedford needs to demonstrate that he is still one of the better coaches in the conference.
- Maurice Harris, Cole Leininger, and Khairi Fortt are 3rd, 5th, and 7th, respectively, in Wilner's list of Bay Area newcomers who will make the greatest impact this fall.
- Members of the offensive line talk about how Wednesday's scrimmage is a chance to set the tone on offense and allow the QB, WRs, and RBs to make plays. Tedford expects to make many decisions throughout the depth chart following the scrimmage.
- Once a position of great depth, the Bears' defensive line has been thinned out due to minor injuries. Deandre Coleman, Viliami Moala, Mostafa Jalil, and Puka Lopa all sat out Tuesday's practice. Tedford commented that Cecil Whiteside is progressing slowly since his reinstatement. Having missed summer workouts, he is probably behind on his conditioning.
- Faraudo reports from Tuesday's practice. Khairi Fortt has still not practiced and will miss at least a game or two. Expect him to work his way back into the mix by midseason, at the earliest. Speaking about the battle for the no. 3 QB spot, Tedford praised Austin Hinder's progress. He says the team will travel with three to four QBs.
- Tedford mentioned that several players peeked into Memorial Stadium on their way to practice. The players sound very excited to return home.
- For the first time in a while, the defense did not clearly outperform the offense during the scrimmage. It sounds like the two units were equally matched. Tedford praised the performances of Cole Leininger and said the offensive line did a decent job.
- Tedford will narrow the number of receivers receiving reps from 14 to 8 this week. Bear Insider expects those 8 to be Keenan Allen, Maurice Harris, Jackson Bouza, Bryce McGovern, Stephen Anderson, Bryce Treggs, Chris Harper, with Darius Powe.
- Training with the elder Treggs has helped Bryce Treggs to make a serious push for the number 2 or 3 WR role.
- Faraudo watched the debut of the Pac-12 Network. His verdict: not bad, but we're all just waiting for football season anyway.
Golf
- The men's team set a record with four players qualifying for U.S. Amateur Match Play. Michael Weaver, Brandon Hagy, Max Homa, and Michael Kim were among the 64 players to qualify.
Soccer