First of all, congratz to Shaq on his official announcement of becoming a Golden Bear today. Welcome!<br /><br />I know it's hard for 1 player to make a gigantic impact on a team, but after watching the Army game today, I couldn't help but be more than impressed with Shaq's ability to make plays all over the field. He was making tackles for a loss in the backfield, taking great angles on receivers, and making a near interception. I think he has a great chance to make a positive impact from Game 1, and that is a really rare thing for a true freshman.<br /><br />I'm so happy that Shaq has decided to carry on the Thompson legacy at Cal.<br /><br />Go Bears!

<blockquote><div class="name-said">drunkoski;670400 said:</div><hr>Should start from day 1<hr></blockquote><br /><br />No question. Hadn't even thought of his tackling ability - my goodness. He was closing on people like Kendricks and he looks bigger and faster - ha.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">drunkoski;670400 said:</div><hr>Should start from day 1<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Indeed sir! He is very very impressive.

The $C guys over on ESPN are in full hatin mode. Pathetic

Syd was always a sure tackler and played great against the run as well.

...but Allen is a better WR than Shaq :bravo<br /><br />Watching the AA game cemented that. Amazing for a guy that built to be that fast, and he has great instincts.<br /><br />WELCOME TO CAL SHAQ!!!<br /><br />:bluecarrot:

I knew he was physical, but man his speed!!!!!<br /><br />He plays FAST on the football field.<br /><br />Very impressive closing speed.<br /><br /><br />He plays fast like Eric Berry but hits HARD like Taylor Mays.<br /><br /><br /><br />Wow....

Too bad he's not EE. Imagine a spring and summer to learn the playbook and get S&C'd by Blasquez. <br /><br />We got 2 QBs in this recruiting class. Kline for offense, Shaq on defense. <br /><br />#rosebowls

<blockquote><div class="name-said">stanfurdbites;670437 said:</div><hr>Too bad he's not EE. Imagine a spring and summer to learn the playbook and get S&C'd by Blasquez.<hr></blockquote>Let's be honest, Shaq is already built and in very good shape. I am sure he can improve S&C but I don't think there's a whole lot of upside there.<br /><br />Don't forget Mustafa Jalil last year who was pretty heavy and came into fall camp having dropped a lot of weight and in great shape. He was able as a result to play a lot of downs (not that safety is the same as DL or anything). Also I think S&C is allowed some contact with incoming recruits with regards to organizing workouts and such.<br /><br />I expect to see a LOT of Shaq on the field next year.

IMMEDIATE upgrade over Cattouse. Should contain the Princes and the Darron Thomases on our schedule nicely.<br /><br />Not sure which safety slot he'll man, but i can't wait to watch him.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">elpbear;670446 said:</div><hr>Let's be honest, Shaq is already built and in very good shape. I am sure he can improve S&C but I don't think there's a whole lot of upside there.<br /><br />Don't forget Mustafa Jalil last year who was pretty heavy and came into fall camp having dropped a lot of weight and in great shape. He was able as a result to play a lot of downs (not that safety is the same as DL or anything). Also I think S&C is allowed some contact with incoming recruits with regards to organizing workouts and such.<br /><br />I expect to see a LOT of Shaq on the field next year.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />No, I agree. If any true freshmen is going to start from day 1, its Shaq. I was just surmising what professional, world class training and facilities plus learning 8 months of learning the playbooks would do for a kid already the best. Godforbid, if he stays injury free, he'll leave school better than Berry and other recent hyped safeties.

Agree this is huge. I feel like we've been inconsistent at safety at times and led to us giving up points on the board. <br /><br />I know it's early but I can see us really shutting down Oregon next year like we did last year.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">slobear;670416 said:</div><hr>Syd was always a sure tackler and played great against the run as well.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />After Tennessee

Should he make the corners more effective?

Massive penetrating DL players will make the CB jobs easier.