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Wilcox Press Conference: 'Good Practices During Bye Week'

October 11, 2021
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The Cal football team had a bye last week and the Bears spent the time licking their wounds and trying to correct much of what has gone wrong in the season that has left them with a 1-4 record. 

The Bears must travel to Eugene Friday night where they take on No. 9 Oregon.

“Every bye week is unique. It depends on where it falls in the season and what the health of your team is like,” head coach Justin Wilcox said Monday in a Zoom call with the media. “As I mentioned some of the bye week was taking reps off Cameron Goode and Elijah (Hicks) and Trevon Clark, some of these guys who have a lot of reps under their belt and getting them healthy. And also utilizing some of those reps to develop guys who have played this season, but haven’t had as many reps.”

And Wilcox likes what he saw on the practice field. “I sound like a broken record here, but we practiced well,” he said. “We had a different rhythm of practice last week because of the bye week. Some guys needed to spend some time getting healthy. For other players, it was about development and then for everybody there was the initial game plan for Oregon.”

Wilcox said that Will Craig and Nikko Remigio, two players who were nursing injuries last week, will be good to go Friday night. Running back DeCarlos Brooks, however, is “week-to-week” and outside linebacker Kuony Deng requires still more time to heal.

The Bears' lone victory last year was over Oregon. But neither Wilcox nor his players are putting much stock in that as a factor in what might happen Friday night. They say there hasn’t been much talk about it.

“Really what we’re focused on is the individual improvements needed for each coach, player and position group for us to play better,” Wilcox said.  “Last year was last year. We’re focused on playing better as a team. I don’t feel like the guys are lacking confidence. We just haven’t finished games.”

“We were glad to get that win last year but this is a new year,” Hicks said. “During the bye week we really dialed into the things we need to improve on. In the DB room specifically, I feel like we’ve been getting better each week. But we’re hungry. We know we can play a lot better than we’ve been putting out there. We’re excited for this week.”

Remigio agrees. “Referring to games that we’ve played in the past, I don’t think it has too much of an effect on how we approach the games this year and our overall outlook on Oregon as a program currently,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s something we’re relying on too heavily.”

Hicks’ Good Works

In his five years at Cal, Hicks has made a point of “giving back” to the Berkeley and East Bay community. His latest venture is the Intercept Poverty Foundation, which will help needy Cal students with some financial assistance. 

“We are just helping students on campus put $500 to $700 in their pocket to help them overcome some financial roadblocks,” Hicks said. “. Maybe they could use some extra food, maybe their car broke down and they need some assistance to get that fixed. Or they may need a new laptop.

“Those are things I know affect people studying and I want to be able to create this and find a way to help students focus on school and not be worried about how they are going to get their next meal or how they are going to get their laptop fixed. I’m fortunate enough to have a scholarship and even with that, I know how tough college can be. It is something very close to me. I want to bring attention to the issue of poverty on campus And do my best letting people know so they can chip in and help.”

Hicks, one of 12 children, said he knows what it’s like to miss a meal or rely on Top Ramen. “I relate to that, because those are the things I had to do growing up. I want to figure out ways to help.” 

He said he has been generating funds, “by asking for donations and posting on social media and got some donations there. I got some donors and fans who chipped in.”



 

Discussion from...

Wilcox Press Conference: 'Good Practices During Bye Week'

6,988 Views | 17 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by calumnus
Econ141
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Key phrase - "I sound like a broken record"... This means that he is doing nothing (or has no idea how) to address the subpar play we are seeing on a weekly basis against subpar teams thus far.

Come on dude!
Bear8
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Your interpretation is an expression of your outlook. Please note that "your" is mentioned twice in the prior sentence.
BearoutEast67
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Go Bears!
Donate to Cal's NIL at https://calegends.com/donation/
calumnus
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Bear8 said:

Your interpretation is an expression of your outlook. Please note that "your" is mentioned twice in the prior sentence.


Repeatedly saying "we practiced well" and then having bad games and then repeating does seem suspect. Maybe practices need to be modified? It reminds me of Wilcox's statement when asked why we moved the ball and scored in the first half, but not in the second half "I don't know. We were running the same plays we ran in the first half, they just weren't working any more."
UrsineMaximus
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Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
calumnus
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UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?


We practiced well.
Big C
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I'm too much of a die-hard Cal fan to want to find out, but it would be interesting to see what Zellers, Sheahan or Longhetto actually have to do to be replaced.
Golden One
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calumnus said:



Repeatedly saying "we practiced well" and then having bad games and then repeating does seem suspect. Maybe practices need to be modified? It reminds me of Wilcox's statement when asked why we moved the ball and scored in the first half, but not in the second half "I don't know. We were running the same plays we ran in the first half, they just weren't working any more."
The man doesn't appear to have a clue. Our play reflects that.
71Bear
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UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.
calumnus
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71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
Rushinbear
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calumnus said:

71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
Top players don't care who's already there. They believe they're better and will beat them out. That's how you want top recruits to think.
71Bear
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calumnus said:

71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
It is wide open. Millner has done nothing to prove he is ready to take over. Otherwise, he would be in the mix today.
calumnus
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Rushinbear said:

calumnus said:

71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
Top players don't care who's already there. They believe they're better and will beat them out. That's how you want top recruits to think.


The question is what do the coaches think matters to recruits, because the coaches are the ones that produce depth charts.

However, It is often the case that once a QB is established it is very difficult for another to unseat him, even if they are better, all things being equal. But things are not equal, experurnce and incumbency are factors. Smart QBs know this.
Bobodeluxe
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71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.
Pretty much.
concernedparent
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calumnus said:

71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
Barely. He's a 3 by some other services. He's closer to a Max Gilliam level of 3-4 star than a Kline consensus 4 star. He's not in the three deep because he's not ready. Top level QB recruits think they can win any open competition anyway.
Bobodeluxe
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concernedparent said:

calumnus said:

71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
Barely. He's a 3 by some other services. He's closer to a Max Gilliam level of 3-4 star than a Kline consensus 4 star. He's not in the three deep because he's not ready. Top level QB recruits think they can win any open competition anyway.
Kline? Buh stole his bike!
calumnus
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concernedparent said:

calumnus said:

71Bear said:

UrsineMaximus said:

Oklahoma replaced Rattler due to poor play with a freshman QB. Nebraska, after 5 games, shuffled their OL to include a new LT. Today, Cal's line up for the Oregon game was published. Not one change to the starting 11 on offense. Huh?? After a week of self scouting and development Cal concluded no changes were necessary?
If they had a five star (see Caleb Williams) backing Garbers, you might have seen a change.

The point being, Cal has zero depth, they will be "dancin' with the one that brung ya" for the rest of the season.


Kai Milner is a 4 star. I suspect he is not in the three deep because they want to let Justyn Martin or some other top QB recruit believe the position is wide open next year.
Barely. He's a 3 by some other services. He's closer to a Max Gilliam level of 3-4 star than a Kline consensus 4 star. He's not in the three deep because he's not ready. Top level QB recruits think they can win any open competition anyway.


Glad you brought up Kline.

As a true freshman in 2012 Kline was not in the three deep either. It was 1. Maynard 2. Bridgford 3. Hinder

Kline was redshirting. I am not making any argument that Milner is good, just that his absence from the three deep is not evidence one way or another. The coaches even addressed this when the three deep was released. It is a piece of paper with names and numbers on it and does not reflect all of the potential situations.
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