Viliami Moala: What Will Four-Star Recruit's Impact Be for Cal in 2011?

Back during the 2008 NFL season, I worked in the Pro Personnel Scouting department for the New York Giants.

One of the department's main tasks was being charged to deliver a very thorough and very thick advance scouting book report on the opposing team at the start of the week.

One of the teams we played was the Arizona Cardinals, whose defensive coordinator at the time was Clancy Pendergast. The week leading up to finalizing the report was a long one, as I had to watch countless hours of film to figure out every sub package Pendergast had for the Cardinals during that season.

He mixed between the 3-4 and 4-3 defense, as well as an array of nickel and dime packages. Now the defensive chief at California for Jeff Tedford, it's not a shock to see Pendergast doing similar things in Berkley.

For the 2011 season, I am quite interested to see how Pendergast develops and handles incoming defensive tackle Vilami Moala, who is a star in the making.

At 6'2" and 325 pounds, Moala should begin his career at Cal as a nose tackle/zero-technique type of player in Pendergast's 30 front base defense. In the 40 front variations, Moala can easily slide over and play the shaded one-technique defensive tackle.

Moala can also play the even two-technique and two gap if asked to. Aaron Tipoti, Deandre Coleman and Kendrick Payne will all try to fend off the talented Moala playing in the Cal defensive interior front.

Moala can have an impact in Berkley in 2011 simply by showing up. He's a load at 325 pounds and automatically can eat up space in the middle, something a nose tackle is primarily asked to do.

Yet Moala is not just a big space eater. Watching him on tape shows a player who has very good quickness at the snap and can jump blockers.

Moala is a very, very good athlete for a big man and plays with a fantastic motor. He can get skinny slip gaps and penetrate offensive fronts.

Another aspect to Moala's game is he can push the pocket from the middle, which helps the defensive ends in their pass rush. Moala also can simply use his brute strength to sit, anchor and make a mess in the middle against the run.

With this skill set and these physical attributes, I think he can see time and help Cal in the Pac-12 this coming 2011 season. Pendergast goes back in forth between 30 and 40 front looks, and Moala can excel in both defenses.

For a good portion of the 2010 season, Cal had the top ranked defense in the Pac-10. Pendergast runs a complicated system that had many offenses among the conference a bit confused.

Look for Cal to employ more man principles and simplify things this year.

With Moala on his roster for the next four years, Pendergast will not have to truly outscheme anyone up front. He can let Moala wreak havoc in his defensive middle, which will free up the linebackers to make plays all over Tightwad Hill.

Personally, I'm just happy I don't have to get to the office early and stay late to break down Pendergast's defensive sub packages anymore.

But I'm sure opposing Pac-12 offensive coaches preparing for Cal's defense express my joy and with the thought of preparing for Viliami Moala up front, days at the office will seem that much longer.