2006 Statistics

There really isn’t much wrong with the Cal offense, so expect more of the same progressive play calling that earned Cal at least 30 points in eight of their 2006 games. Classic football using the run to set up the pass is what coach Tedford’s system delivers, and junior Nate Longshore proved he is the right guy under center. The 6’5 drop-back hurler managed the offense masterfully at times and kept his mistakes from hurting Cal’s chances to win. His potential this year is huge. His backfield sees a new starting tailback with quickster Justin Forsett getting the start. The senior will be the same weapon in the flat Lynch was. The size of the RBs aren’t huge, but they can still run between the tackles, especially with junior bruiser Will Ta’ufo’ou plowing holes. The Bear’s running game has turned over well under Tedford in prior years, and there is every reason to think he will again go to painstaking lengths to establish his ground attack. The right side of the line will be leaned upon early since it comes back in tact. Mike Tepper on the outside left looks solid after he saw extensive action there in ’06 and graded out nicely. Recent recruiting efforts have bolstered the front line’s high level of play (T-3rd in the country for sacks allowed). The highlight of this offense, though, has to be its trio of all-Pac Ten receivers, with first-team junior DeSean Jackson a bonafide superstar in the making. Senior Robert Jordan uses his speed underneath and Lavelle Hawkins uses his size well to guarantee Longshore success. These guys can’t be stopped – foes can only double-cover one of them without sacrificing needed hats in the box. And then all-conference TE Craig Stevens just opens defenses up even more. It all adds up to a juggernaut that wins games with loads of yards and points, just in case the defense buckles.

This side of the ball only returns five starters, so work is needed. But after finishing ranked 91st for total defense, turnover should help bring fresh attitudes and therefore better results. Matt Malele is a beast inside and is the lone returning starter up front upon which to build. Tyson Alualu showed promise as just a freshman, and he has huge shoes to fill (Mebane’s) if Cal is to have clogging ability against foe’s inside running. Classmate Cody Jones also proved much in his initial campaign, and the youth movement (Derrick Hill, Rulon Davis) should not diminish the effectiveness of this line. Zack Follett should emerge by fall as the starter at MLB – his four forced fumbles and 12.5 TFLs as a reserve earned him all-conference honors. Worrell Williams and Justin Moye will hold down their outside assignments, but overall there may be a lull in the overall level of LB play to start with so many new starters. In the end, the corps will be fine. Focus on the secondary has to be the team’s paramount concern in camp. Two 5’10 sophomores at corner will tell all – Peele and Thompson have their work cut out after the pass defense finished 103rd. A trio of upperclassmen at safety – all starters at some point last year – should buoy any deficiencies, unless they themselves were the marginal area. DB coach R. Todd Littlejohn, in his second year, needs to shore this unit up or Cal will again finish as the league’s bride’s maid.