http://www.insidebayarea.com/cal-bears/ci_18779839
For those who can't access that link:
For those who can't access that link:
Quote:
Comment From Cal89
Isi, how do you feel about running on grass?
Isi Sofele:
I feel good. I've been running on green my whole life. I like grass better than turf.
Comment From Erik
What is your personal biggest inprovment over off season?
Isi Sofele:
My biggest improvement has been pass protection. I've improved on that big-time. I think the coaches would say the same thing as well. That's the main thing I focused on this summer and got it down.
Comment From Cal89
What difference do you see with this year's OL?
Isi Sofele:
They're more physical. They understand the game and they play faster.
Comment From bridger
considering your 5 foot 7 how do you plan to get past the defensive line with more speed than power?
Isi Sofele:
I'm actually 5-8. Stay low, low pad level and a lot of burst.
Comment From cal85
What was more special, being name the starting running back or being president of Olympus Jr. High?
Isi Sofele:
Who is this??? Being named the starting running back, for sure. But being the president of Olympus Jr. High was fun, though.
Comment From Dave
Can you meet the standered of the Cal running backs in the past?
Isi Sofele:
I feel like I have potential. I kknow it's big shoes to fill but by doing what Coach G tells me what to do, I feel like I'm going to be successful like the other guys he has coached.
Comment From Still no stanfurdium
What are your biggest concerns about the Fresno St. game on Saturday?
Isi Sofele:
I really don't have any concerns. I feel like we're ready to go into this thing and do what needs to be done and come out of there with a W.
Comment From Cal89
What has changed with your game from last year? I heard from a defensive player that you have been the toughest guy to take down during the practice...
Isi Sofele:
I don't dance around as much as I used to last year. I hit the hole north-south. I don't do too much dancing. I just get up field. Coach G kind of got on me a little while ago for dancing too much in the holes. Also, Coach Blasquez has got me bigger which make me harder to bring down. I put some weight on.
Comment From Bear96
What newcomers on the offense should we keep an eye out for?
Isi Sofele:
Maurice Harris. That guy has shown a lot of talent. He can catch the ball in open space or in traffic. He's just a big target that we can get the ball to. Bigelow, give him a couple years, he'll be one of the top Pac-12 running backs. I don't really talk too much about other running backs on the team, but Bigelow has been improving day by day.
Comment From bridger
Isi, how do you feel about the other running backs?
Isi Sofele:
I feel really confident with the lineup that we have. Covaughn at No. 2, C.J. at No. 3. I feel like they could also contribute a lot to the team. They all have good work ethic.
Comment From JC
The o-line is not deep at all..... is that of major concern if someone goes down?
Isi Sofele:
I feel like the second O-line has been struggling a little but if someone goes down, I feel like they will come in and we wont' miss a hearbeat and they'll continue doing what whoever went down did.
Comment From Rick
How is zach maynard doing?
Isi Sofele:
He's doing awesome. If the front seven keeps that guy healthy all year, we shouldn't worry about a thing. He can throw the ball, he can get on his feet and is very mobile and he makes smart decisions on the field. He's a great leader.
Comment From Greg
What would you say are your biggest strengths as a RB?
Isi Sofele:
My biggest strengths as a running back are running in between the tackles. I feel like it's harder for people to see me and I'm low to the ground. I feel like my pass protection has improved a lot and I play very physical for a ilttle guy.
Comment From Still no stanfurdium
If you could only win 1 game between USC and Stanfurd, which one would you pick and why?
Isi Sofele:
I want to beat USC more. Even though Stanford is a rival, the reason I want to beat USC so much is we've never won since I've been here. One of my best friends actually is starting for USC, John Martinez. He plays offensive line. He's been talking smack ever since my freshman year and it hasn't stopped, every time I go back home. Now I want to be the one to talk smack.
Comment From Buster
Is there any signifigance to your wearing #20?
Isi Sofele:
I suggested three numbers when I got here and 20 was one of them. I didn't know I was going to get it. The reason I wrote 20 down is because of Barry Sanders. I always compare myself to Barry Sanders. I thought if I wore that number, I would play more like him.
Comment From Buster
Who is the hardest hitter on the team?
Isi Sofele:
I would have to say either Mike Kendricks, D.J. Holt, Sean Cattouse or J.P. Hurrell.
Comment From bridger
i play as you in ncaa 12 every day, have you played as yourself at all?
Isi Sofele:
Nope, I've never played ncaa 2012 before. But if I did, I would be myself.
Comment From SierraBear
I have heard Coach T talk about the team "not coming out too emotional" how to stay focused and still play like your hair is on fire?
Isi Sofele:
That's a good question. I'm not worried about being too emotional. I'm an emotional player and that's when I play my best.
Comment From Cal
Is zach maynard a good pocket passer?
Isi Sofele:
Yes he is a good pocket passer. He's very patient. When he does have to leave the pocket, he's a triple-threat.
Comment From Cal89
What former Cal players do you keep-in-touch with?
Isi Sofele:
Shane Vereen and Derrick Hill.
Comment From Cal89
Does playing the Utes have any special meaning for you?
Isi Sofele:
It's home. I grew up wanting to go there and play for my hometown. I went to every single Ron McBride camp, Urban Meyer camp. That was the last time I've been there. I played with and against probably 90 percent of those guys so I know a lot of them. It would mean everything if we destroyed them.
Comment From SierraBear
Last year the offense struggled to move the chains at times. What will make this year's team better at getting first downs and mounting sustained drives?
Isi Sofele:
Zach Maynard. Like I said earlier, that guy is a leader. In the huddle, he's very talkative, tells us when we need a first down. He's very motivational in there. He gets teh team pumped up. I feel like we go out there with a chip on our shoulder, especially the offense, with so many people talking about us. I feel like we've trained harder than we ever have during this fall camp to be a great offense.
Comment From Daler Mehndi
Who has the fastest top end speed? You, Covaughn, or C.J.?
Isi Sofele:
That would be a tie between me and Covaughn. We always argue to see who's faster. But we've never raced. But I know it would be a good race, though.
Comment From SierraBear
What is your favorite class so far this year?
Isi Sofele:
I would say Swahili because I've always wanted to learn a different language.
Comment From BoaltBear09
Is the team pumped up for Saturday? You guys ready to play?
Isi Sofele:
We're stoked for this week. It feels like we've been locked up for too long and too many guys want to have Saturday be tomorrow.
Comment From JC
Can we expect to see you on special teams returning kick-offs?
Isi Sofele:
Hopefully I will do kick returns. I'm No. 2 right now. Edmond is No. 1.
Comment From Erik
Will coach G still do the 2 back like he has done or will it be more you and a little from the 2nd and 3rd backs?
Isi Sofele:
He's going to use a lot. I think it's going to be both me and Covaughn. C.J. could be in the picture as well. I think we'll be rotating a lot. The backfield is talented. We have guys that can do a lot of thigns so our offense is trying to get different types of talent out there so we can score more touchdowns and move the chains.
Comment From Bdog
How does Bridgford look? Is he ready to take over if we need him to step up
Isi Sofele:
To me, he's improving a lot. As I watch him play, he's making plays down field, making the right reads. The guy knows the offense really well. He's completing a lot of balls in practice, showing he can compete in the Pac-12.
Comment From Larry
Who is the fastest guy on the team?
Isi Sofele:
I would say Michael Calvin, Kaelin Clay and Steve-O Williams. I know Bigelow will be in the mix soon. I could be in one of those, too.
Comment From GoBears
How is the Polynesian community in Berkeley? Are you guys going to do a Haka before the FSU game?
Isi Sofele:
The Polynesian community is not too big. The only ones I know of are the guys on the team. No, we will not be doing the Haka for the FSU game.
Comment From Erik
How do you feel about the low expectations from people? Do you ignore it or is it motivation?
Isi Sofele:
We use that as motivation. We have a lot of haters out there writing blogs or whatever it is. We like to hear that just to use it as motivation. Also, our record last year left us with a lot of motivation because we do not want to have that happen again.
Comment From Jimi Mistry
What is your favorite asian food on on campus?
Isi Sofele:
I would say Steve's Korean/Asian Ghetto. Anything over there is the bomb.
Comment From Buster
A's or Giants?
Isi Sofele:
I don't really watch baseball but since we're playing at AT&T Park, I'll say the Giants. And because they won the World Series. I'm on the bandwagon.