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In which...nah
After one of the worst football seasons in school history, there are no fans -- and certainly nobody on the staff -- that wants to see more of the same Cal Bears.
So, here's the good news:
Dykes says "everything" was changed, from S&C approach, philosophical approach, recruiting, practice structure. #Cal #CalFootball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
"Last season wasn't indicative of what we're able to do as a program," Dykes says.
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
Whether or not those widespread changes will pay off, we'll have to see over the course of the season, but at the very least, Coach Dykes and company aren't exactly twiddling their thumbs idly.
As to more specific changes we can expect to see this spring, let's start with one Bryce Treggs, who Coach Dykes confirmed will be switching to inside receiver, now that Trevor Davis is eligible:
Dykes says the move inside is "a good one" for Bryce Treggs. Says it would have been better to move BT in there last year than Chris Harper.
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
More analysis on the exact wide-out situation can be found in our earlier position breakdown, but you can bet we'll be watching Treggs' role changes in the slot. Alongside him, you can expect to see Stephen Anderson, Darius Powe, or even Ray Hudson:
Stephen Anderson, Darius Powe will take over that big-bodied role that Richard Rodgers has vacated, Dykes says. #Cal #CalFootball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
Big thing for Ray Hudson, Dykes says, is how tough can he become -- putting hand down as TE and as a back in the backfield.
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
We got a hint at the offensive line's makeup earlier this week when we spoke to Coach Yenser, but on Sunday, Coach Dykes gave a clearer look at the battle for right tackle, which remains largely open:
Dykes mentions Okafor, Farley, A. Cochran, AND Granado when talking about RT position. Spot is gonna be very much up in the air. #Cal
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) March 30, 2014
As far as quarterback Jared Goff's health goes, there should be no concerns. Although the Marin native has been throwing 100% for almost a month, Coach Dykes still plans to bring his starting quarterback along slowly:
#Cal HC Sonny Dykes says Jared Goff will be reined in, will be given days off 2 rest surgically-repaired shoulder this spring. #CalFootball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
He's also gained some weight since we saw him last, which will help protect him better.
Despite injury, Jared Goff says he's put on 10 pounds since shoulder surgery, wants to put on another 5-10 before Fall.
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) March 30, 2014
Of course, the changes on offense are less pressing than the ones that must be made on the other side of the ball. Two new pieces -- defensive end Jonathan Johnson and defensive tackle Trevor Kelly -- there will be available starting Monday, both plucked from the JUCO ranks. We've written extensively about the impact that both could have for new defensive coordinator Art Kaufman:
Dykes says Jonathan Johnson and Trevor Kelly will be the two guys available this Spring.
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) March 30, 2014
Kelly's integration on defense is even more important now that Mustafa Jalil and several other key defenders will essentially be missing until August:
Scarlett will be full go in Spring, Jalil, McClure, Broussard, and Sebastian will be limited.
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) March 30, 2014
"We won't get Moose back for the spring, but we will get him back for the fall," #Cal HC Sonny Dykes says. #CalFootball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
Brennan Scarlett isn't technically a new piece like Kelly or Johnson, but he may as well be, given his absence last year. The buzz around the big defensive end has been building all off-season, and Coach Dykes made it clear again on Sunday that he is expected to be a big contributor:
"It all starts with Scarlett," Dykes says of #Cal DE Brennan Scarlett. #CalFootball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) March 30, 2014
Beyond the revamped defensive line, one final bit of news revealed involved mid-year enrollee Devante Downs, who will play linebacker for now with the team still depth-starved there:
Sonny Dykes on media teleconference today "Devante Downs will start out at linebacker."
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) March 30, 2014
That about wraps it up for things we learned from Coach Dykes' comments from yesterday. Now comes the interesting part -- watching it all actually unfold.
As a programming reminder: CGB will have coverage of spring ball beginning later today, with yours truly still figuring out how that's going to work and what he'll be allowed to write/tweet about. Unlike all the changes going on inside the program, it'll be business as usual, in that regard, so stay tuned?