Cal Football: The 5 Biggest Questions the Bears Need To Address
The Cal Bears endured a less-than-successful 5-7 record last season. It was easily the worst season in Jeff Tedford's tenure as head coach of the Bears.
While the defense held tough in most games, the offense stagnated throughout the season, especially after Kevin Riley's career-ending injury.
Here are the five most important things the Bears need to address in order to have a bounce-back year in 2011.
5. Fill the Defensive Line
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Cameron Jordan has graduated and looks to be a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Gone also is Derrick Hill. Last year they combined for 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
However, Trevor Guyton, Ernest Owusu and Kendrick Payne saw plenty of time on the defensive line and should be ready to step in to starting roles if necessary.
The real question is to see if top 150 ESPNU recruits DT Todd Barr and DT Viliami Moala can immediately step in to Jordan and Hill's shoes. If they can, Cal could have an even better front line come August.
4. Choose a Play-Caller
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The Cal Bears need to figure out who is going to call offensive plays. From Jeff Tedford's start at Cal in 2002 until 2007, Tedford held the roles of head coach and offensive play-caller. In 2008 Tedford ceded those duties first to Frank Cignetti and then Andy Ludwig.
Ludwig is now gone, and it looks like Tedford might be forced to return to his play-calling duties. This is a good thing, as Cal has been at its best with Tedford calling the plays. It keeps the whole team on the same page. The offense appeared to stagnate at time with an inconsistency in play-calling. If Tedford gets this issue squared away, less timeouts will be burned next year.
3. Find a Kicker
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I can't think of single thing more frustrating than driving down the field, getting stopped, then missing the field goal try.
Too bad this is all too common for the Cal Bears. They've lacked a solid kicker since Tom Schneider, and it's more than frustrating to watch Giorgio Tavecchio flub yet another kick.
The Bears didn't recruit a kicker, but they've got two others on their roster, and I know it's time to give one of them a try.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
2. Pick a Back
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Shane Vereen and his 16 TDs and 1376 yards from scrimmage will be missed. I'm not sure if jumping to the NFL is necessarily the best idea for Vereen, but that decision is out of Tedford's hands.
Tedford does have the ability to choose the next Bears running back. For the first time in quite a while it's not so certain who will be the starter.
Isi Sofele was solid in the backup role last year, but it's unclear if he can handle the larger load. No other back saw more than 21 touches last year, providing little evidence for an easy resolution.
The wild cards will be incoming top 20 running backs Brendon Bigelow and Daniel Lasco. These freshman running backs will have a chance to impact the 2011 Bears.
1. Who's Under Center?
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No shocker on No. 1 here. Who's under center is the biggest question mark hanging over the 2011 season.
Since Kevin Riley's injury vs. Oregon State, Cal struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Brock Mansion could not cut it as quarterback, posting a QB rating of 86.0 in 137 pass attempts.
Fortunately, Cal has seven quarterbacks heading in to camp this fall. In addition to Mansion the Bears also return Beau Sweeney, Austin Hinder, Ryan Wertenberger and Allan Bridgford. Tedford also has incoming recruit Kyle Boehm and transfer Zack Maynard from Buffalo.
It's too early to predict who will start the first game of the season, but look for the competition to come down to Beau Sweeney, Kyle Boehm and Zack Maynard
If the Bears can sort out these issues, look for the Bears to bounce back in a big way in 2011.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
