Loose Ends
Edit2: This might not be a good sign. Like UCLA, Cal tried to get the Pitt b-ball coach. Unlike UCLA, Cal apparently failed.
Edit: Rod Benson waxes philosophic about Ben Braun. I forgot to mention when I wrote this post that in a perfect world, my choice for b-ball coach would be Marshawn!
In the Braunsanity that was Wednesday, there were a few other stories that flew under the radar. I thought I would take a moment just to go over some of these stories.
First and most important, a Cal QB has left the team. This rumor originally stemmed from Amy over at Okanes blog. If you do not know who Amy is, consider yourself lucky. He (she?) is a person (terrible creation of science?) who seems to hate Cal (greatest university ever?) with the passion of a thousand burning supernovae. He posts all over the Scout boards with his strong anti-Cal views and is quite well known for his strong views. There’s even a funny thread at the ASU Football board where he started to say some of his anti-Cal things. And the ASU posters, aware of his online character stature, just started saying a whole bunch of incredibly pro-Cal stuff. I’m not sure how to find it, though if somebody knows the link and could post it in the comments that’d be great.
It doesn’t really matter how or why this hatred came to be. What does seem to be important is that he apparently has a inside connection to Cal. He claims his father is a big donor. Either way, when he posted about how a QB was transferring 100% the other day, it did create some concern. You can even see our very own CBKWit calling him a coward just a few comments lower. Amy tends to incite those sort of feelings. Look at these quotes from later on in that Okanes thread:
"I can’t wait for QB departure news to break out. It will be a comedy to see those clowns on BearInsider panic and cry."
Also, do you know why JO will never ban me? If it wasn’t for me blogs like Contra Costa Times would have zero interest. Right now one thread has almost 60 responses. Even the presidential primaries couldn’t get that much interest. Jay Heater knew how good I was for his career and that is why I stayed around posting. Hopefully JO will appreciate my effort as well."
That’s Amy in a nutshell. Well, the QB in question is Bryan Van Meter. When that news broke, I am not sure how many of the clowns over at BearInsider cried in panic. Maybe MoragaBears, but he isn’t really a clown. More of an early Disney-style cartoonish hobo. So, I’m not sure if he counts for Amy’s "how many clowns will cry" question.
That said, Van Meter is not really transferring, because he is staying at Cal. He just wants to leave the football team to try his hand at Rugby. Fair enough. We here at the California Golden Blogs understand why Van Meter would want to try something different. We wish him nothing but the best in leading rugby to sweet victory!
Speaking of rugby and sweet victories, they lost their first game of the season. They still won the World Cup, though. The World Cup is the trophy awarded for their two annual matches against BC. They split this year, but the trophy goes to the team with the highest points scored. Cal won by more than it lost (confusing, I know), so they won the award. Even in loss, Cal wins! Rare to hear that.
Speaking of winning when losing, Cal might lose when it wins. Relieving Braun of his duties was a definite step forward for our down on its luck program. But now it looks like some commitments from prep players might be wavering. The Modesto Bee is reporting that Christian High senior D.J. Seeley might not come to Cal. From the article:
""We’re just waiting to see the new coach coming in and what he’s going to be like," Young said. "If D.J. clicks with the new coach, everything will be good. We’re not making any harsh decisions right away.""
Ever the more reason for Sandy Barbour to make sure she hires the right guy. Hopefully, whomever is hired will be to the liking of DJ Seeley.
That, of course, brings us to the current vacancy in the coaching staff. Some people have suggested former Cal superstar Kevin Johnson. Unfortunately, he is running for mayor of Sacramento. I was even about to do a post on one of KJ’s fundraisers this Wednesday morning when the Braun news came down the wire. I did a mental calculation on what was more important. KJ’s fundraising event in San Francisco on Thursday? Or the firing of Ben Braun? We went with what we thought people wanted to hear about. And we stand by that decision!
But KJ’s campaign might end poorly, because there are already concerns about slaughtered farm animals and statutory rape. Now that is a sentence I never thought I’d ever write. Don’t worry there isn’t a connection between the statutory rape and the slaughtered farm animals. Or at least I hope not! Nonetheless, it might not end well for his campaign. Maybe he will be the coach afterall!
Finally, Cal baseball! They are good this year. I’ve been meaning to write about them, but haven’t had a chance to get out to one of the games. I will probably be out at the game next Saturday. Cal, currently ranked 11th, plays 2 time defending national champion OSU. And this weekend, they face #5 Long Beach State. Here is the schedule. With the As looking as they look, Cal might be your best bet for great baseball in the East Bay! So, get out there and support your team. GO BEARS!
E-tough guys!
You don’t want to fuck with them!
Comment by Nasty Nate — March 28, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
I own you all, stupid Berkley fans! I know more, than most of you, “insiders”, about your pathetic program
Look, I………………………I just can’t keep up this charade anymore. I love Cal. I have some problems in my personal life that I have been taking out on various football-related message boards. I know that at times I come off like a bit of a jerk and I’m sorry for that. But I’m seeing help now. Professional help. Marshawn. He’s counseling me on expressing myself in a better way. Mostly by stiff-arming Patrick Chung. Repeatedly. It’s actually helping a lot.
Comment by MoreNCsarecoming — March 28, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Uh, Van Meter left the team LAST year for rugby. How is this new news?
Comment by Avinash — March 28, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
As I said before.
E-tough guys!
If you see one…
you better have your pumas on!
Comment by Nasty Nate — March 28, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Somewhere in tempe……
A 3rd grader stayed home from school today
Comment by Nasty Nate — March 28, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Amy, its good to see you coming clean about your feelings towards Cal. Its refreshing.
Well, Avinash, I guess we aren’t as advanced as you are. What with our logical fallacies and all.
Comment by TwistNHook — March 28, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Van Meter played last season (2007). How could he have left the team but still played?
Comment by HydroTech — March 28, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
Hahahaha, on JO’s blog I said to ignore her, but this is so much better. Keep up the good work.
Comment by ReggieBushFan — March 28, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Misread Okanes (or he must’ve said it wrong). Apologies.
Comment by Avinash — March 28, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
I, myself, am confused. Nonetheless, no reason to get concerned, dear friend Avinash. The major point is Bryan Van Meter is now a rugby player and not a football player. I guess with several QBs above him on the depth chart, he felt he would get more PT with the rugby team. Makes sense to me!
Comment by TwistNHook — March 28, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Can you please replace the basketball schedule on the left with the baseball schedule? Then again, please don’t. I seem to remember a couple of other Cal teams this year that got off to surprisingly outstanding starts to their season, only to fade in the thick of Pac-10 play. Third time’s a charm?
Comment by California Pete — March 28, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Correction to #11 above: make that the schedule on the RIGHT.
Comment by California Pete — March 28, 2008 @ 7:03 pm