Surprise, surprise.  The entire week prior to the Spring Game the Cal staff has been saying it wouldn’t be a scrimmage and then they turn right around and have a scrimmage. 

Anyways, it was a pleasant surprise.  A thousand to two thousand fans showed up and the rain stopped just in time to keep things drier. 

Here are a few of my observations and thoughts on the Saturday scrimmage:

*Longshore was a little off.  What should have been easy completions were instead turf skipping balls that rolled to a stop at WR’s feet.  Defensive pressure on Longshore was decent but not enough to warrant such bad throws.  In Longshore’s defense, he still completed 9 out of 13 and may have been injured since he was wearing a red "do not hit" jersey.  On the other hand, donning a red jersey could also have been a precaution to prevent any injury to our most experienced QB.  All in all, a disappointing showing but don’t fret.  Every player has their good and bad days.  I’m pretty sure it was just a bad day and not anything else. 

*The running game was decent considering some of our first team OL was sitting out.  Montgomery has proven that he is deserving of some carries next year.  While there were not any Sportscenter highlight reel runs, he did gain tough yardage with a hodge podge OL.  As for Forsett, he was actually pretty unproductive on Saturday.  Nevertheless, I would still expect Forsett to be the starter next year with Montgomery getting a share of snaps.

*Hawkins took a few snaps as a RB at the end of the scrimmage.  Don’t read into this too much.  Putting Hawkins at RB was simply due to the current lack of depth (Slocum is injured along with Schutte and the incoming freshman cannot play yet).  Besides, if Tedford put Hawkins in at RB then we’d lose our 2nd best WR threat. 

*Brandon Hampton and Brandon Jones both returned punts for touchdowns.  If my memory serves me correctly, Desean Jackson did not return any punts but I think it’s very apparent to the coaching staff that he is very capable and does not need spring practice to prove it.  Having players other than DJ return punts gives exposure and practice for others.  The fact that Hampton and Jones returned punts for touchdowns shows that we have talented backup returners should any god-forbidden injury occur to DJ.  And now that I’ve just pumped up our returners I have to play them down a little bit too.  While the touchdowns were a product of excellent vision and running, they were also against an inexperienced special teams unit.  Special Teams always needs a little more time for it come together since it requires offense and defense players to work together on tasks they are not usually required to perform. 

*Riley did not play due to his shattered finger.  This is a shame because I was really looking forward to comparing him and Reed.  As for Reed, Saturday’s performance was not that great.  In his defense, he was wearing a red jersey and was probably still feeling the effects of last week’s injury - I’ll let him play the injury excuse card.

Alright, that’s all I can think of for now.  I’m sure I’ll think of something later on so be sure to check back here in a few days.

Hello, hello.  Well, after a little bit of coercion by TwistNHook, he has convinced me (Hydrotech) to join The California Golden Blogs!  I am excited to be here and a part of this joint effort.  It is my hope to bring another opinion to this fabulous blog as well as an interesting opinion regarding anything concerning California Football. 

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I’m a recent Cal grad who comes from a blue-blooded Cal family.  I am a big time football fan and instantly became hooked on Cal Football - and college football in general - when I went to my first Cal game as a freshman.  On that Saturday I had no idea that I was going to be a part of and witness something incredibly special.  On that historic day, Cal opened the 2002 season against Baylor with Jeff Tedford as its new head coach.  And on the very first and incredibly memorable play, I became hooked. 

It goes without saying that since that day I’ve been closely following Cal Football.  Besides scouring the internet for any bit of news about the team, I also think about Cal Football while I day dream at work.  I dream about it when I sleep.  I’ve had nightmares about losing games.  And I’ve already told all my friends that if they dare schedule a wedding on a Cal Football Saturday that they shouldn’t expect to see me in attendance. 

Finally, my devotion to Cal Football has also led to a short stint with the team.  While I would like to keep my exact role with the team somewhat secret (as if everyone doesn’t know already) working with the team was a blast and a dream come true.  I learned a lot about the team, football, and football operations during my stay.  Furthermore, I hope to bring some of that non-classified knowledge to the general public. 

So with my little intro out of the way, the next post will contain my thoughts on Saturday’s Spring Game.

Cal Spring Game - DeSean

Before the Spring Game was to begin, there was to be a Surplus Sale.  Although the Spring Game did not start until 2, the Surplus Sale was supposed to open its doors at about 10.  In my infinite naivette, I assumed I could roll in about 12 or so and maybe snag a few jerseys or some such thing.  When our friend, the Hydrotechnician told me he was going to get in line at 10 (when it opened), I was a bit incredulous.  Certainly, there is no need to get there THAT early. 

Is there?

So, needless to say, I was stunned when I called up HydroTech at about 10:30 and the conversation went a little something like this:

Twist+Hook: "Oh Beloved Hydro, how is it that you are doing on this fine spring morn?"

Hydro:"  ARGH!  GIVE THAT BACK TO ME!  UNG!!!!!!!!!"

T+H:"What sort of pitched battle is taking place while the sun rises among our feathered heads?"

Hydro:"Bitch, you poked me in the eye!"

T+H:"Perhaps, I’ll call you ye old later."

Firstly, yes, I do speak in the Queen’s English at all times.  Secondly, our Hydro, our Waterboy was battling over the last Cal sweater, an extra large which will assuredly drape over his lithe frame like a parka over Nicole Ritchie’s.  Apparently, getting to the surplus sale by 10 was insufficient.  Not only did they open up 30 minutes earlier than expected, but supposedly people had been waiting in like by 8.  And there was some family just buying up all the normal sizes (ostensibly to resell them at a profit, I guess). 

There were about 100 people there by the time Hydro showed up AND he had to wait about 20 minutes in line before they would let him in.  Most of the normal sizes were gone.  Only XL and XXL mostly remained.  How unfortunate.  My noon arrival would have been useless.

One thing that didn’t make any sense  was that the jerseys cost about 50 bucks.  But they had some with rips or even blood on them, apparently.  Yet, those were cheaper.  I would pay MORE to have a little bit of Tom Swoboda on my jersey!  And that’s Tom Swoboda.  If it was a game-used Marshawn jersey, I’d pay infinity billion dollars. 

If only I’d camped out the night before.  

Don’t forget to tune in all week for more Spring Game action.  GO BEARS!