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Comcast - PAC 12 - national (Channel 434)
DISH (channel 413)
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FCP Pacific (channel 415)
Location: Ben Lomond, a small town outside of Santa Cruz in the mountains
12-26-2012, 12:57 PM
I'll give you my picks per position-top 22 starters-based on leadership as well as performance. Also I only included players JT recruited and completed their careers at Cal because that would be only fair if we are going to use the term "JT era".
QB-Aaron Rogers
RB- Marshawn Lynch
RB- JJ Arrington
TE- Craig Stevens
WR-Keenan Allen
WR- DeShawn Jackson
WR- Lavelle Hawkins
C- Alex Mack
OG- Chris Guarnero
OG- Matt Summers-Gavin
OT- Mke Gibson
OT- Mitchell Schwartz
Honorable Mentions: Marvin Jones (WR), Worrell Williams (ILB), Mike Mohamed (ILB), Justin Forsett (RB), Shane Vereen (RB), Marcus Ezeff (S), Andrew Larson (P), Thomas DeCoud (S), Garrett Cross (TE)
This was a very revealing exercise in that it showed that we had less great OLs than I thought and only 1 notable QB. It is clear that the JT years were characterized by strength at the following positions RB, LB and Safety. All these positions played better than expected based on recruiting rankings. But OL and QB played under their level. And Safety has leveled off in the last 3 years. We had a few great talents at WR as well, but I don't think they performed better than was expected.
Of all the above mentioned players only a few stand out to me: On Offense
Aaron Rodgers (QB)
Marshawn Lynch (RB)
Jahvid Best (RB/KR)
Alex Mack (C)
On Defense
Mychal Kendricks (ILB)
Desmond Bishop (ILB)
Zack Follett (OLB)
Damian Hughes (S)
Of these players if I had to pick just 1 on each side of the ball, it would be Mack (O) and Follett (D). All these picks are based on the players performance and leadership at Cal. If we include pro it would be ARod and Bishop respectively.
Based on Cal's current roster, I think it is likely that Cal would add some LBs to the current list of great players that were recruited by JT and played under him. I'm thinking of Forbes, McCain, Scarlett, Wilkerson, and Whiteside (if he returns).
I can't believe there is even a question that it's someone other than Aaron Rodgers.
AR was good but I could easily see an argument for someone who contributed at a high level for 4 full seasons, rather than 2.
My votes, heavily weighted for guys who were productive for 3-4 years:
a) Donte Hughes - started all 4 years. Game changer college corner, even if he never had the speed for the pros. Very instinctive ball hawk. If only the phantom PI wasn't called on him vs Arizona, he'd likely have a statue...
b) Justin Forsett - I was among those who, going into 2007, doubted he could replace Lynch. He did more than that.. his 07 season was better than Lynch's in 05 or 06. Couple that with a 1000 yard year as a backup in 2005 and plenty of big plays in 2006 (notably against A&M and Oregon in huge wins)... and he's up there.
c) Ryan O'Callaghan - best OL I saw at Cal. I wasn't here in 02' so I don't know what he did then, but he was the biggest piece (literally and figuratively) in a 2003-2005 Cal OL that was mauling and relentless.
Mack, and it's not even close. Hughes, Harris, Best, and Jackson after that. Rodgers isn't in the top 10. We've forgotten what its like to have a good quarterback.
my opinion is that the best player means who not only contributed the most but excited the most. The person that excited me the most is:
1. Follett
2. Marshawn/Jahvid
4. Desean
5. Hughes/Rodgers
I'll give you my picks per position-top 22 starters-based on leadership as well as performance. Also I only included players JT recruited and completed their careers at Cal because that would be only fair if we are going to use the term "JT era".
QB-Aaron Rogers
RB- Marshawn Lynch
RB- JJ Arrington
TE- Craig Stevens
WR-Keenan Allen
WR- DeShawn Jackson
WR- Lavelle Hawkins
C- Alex Mack
OG- Chris Guarnero
OG- Matt Summers-Gavin
OT- Mke Gibson
OT- Mitchell Schwartz
Honorable Mentions: Marvin Jones (WR), Worrell Williams (ILB), Mike Mohamed (ILB), Justin Forsett (RB), Shane Vereen (RB), Marcus Ezeff (S), Andrew Larson (P), Thomas DeCoud (S), Garrett Cross (TE)
This was a very revealing exercise in that it showed that we had less great OLs than I thought and only 1 notable QB. It is clear that the JT years were characterized by strength at the following positions RB, LB and Safety. All these positions played better than expected based on recruiting rankings. But OL and QB played under their level. And Safety has leveled off in the last 3 years. We had a few great talents at WR as well, but I don't think they performed better than was expected.
Of all the above mentioned players only a few stand out to me: On Offense
Aaron Rodgers (QB)
Marshawn Lynch (RB)
Jahvid Best (RB/KR)
Alex Mack (C)
On Defense
Mychal Kendricks (ILB)
Desmond Bishop (ILB)
Zack Follett (OLB)
Damian Hughes (S)
Of these players if I had to pick just 1 on each side of the ball, it would be Mack (O) and Follett (D). All these picks are based on the players performance and leadership at Cal. If we include pro it would be ARod and Bishop respectively.
Based on Cal's current roster, I think it is likely that Cal would add some LBs to the current list of great players that were recruited by JT and played under him. I'm thinking of Forbes, McCain, Scarlett, Wilkerson, and Whiteside (if he returns).
Agreed on your O & D standouts. Hughes played corner though. Also, I'd be inclined to add Ryan Riddle to the defensive standouts, and Gmac to offensive standouts, even though they weren't recruited by JT.
Last edited by Calntheplay; 12-27-2012 at 03:57 PM.
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