Hey guys. Don't worry about Shaq. Give it time. I know it seems longer, but it's only been 3 days. Remember, a strong father figure in his life, whether we like him or not now, has left Shaq's school. The school he's really always wanted to go to- the school he's already committed to twice. I'm sure it's hard for him to deal with, but I have no doubt that deep down he's a bear. All of his family, friends, and others are helping remind him of this. Let's hope 2 weeks is enough time to calm down and remember that he's committing to a school, not a person. <br /><br />To$h was all Cal true. But Cal certainly ain't all To$h (as he would want many to believe).

<blockquote><div class="name-said">socaltownie;686043 said:</div><hr>Hmmm.....didn't know that placement record. Surprises me because I would figure the way to beat the ducks is to keep the rock out of the air.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />controlling the clock isn't something I'd focus on in efforts to beat the Ducks. Their D has been solid and it will be enough of a challenge just to consistently score on them without becoming overly focused on the manner. Many times (including the Rose Bowl) the opponent scores a few touchdowns early and does nothing late because they're just gassed from all the extra snaps. Maybe it would be smart to plan on rotating 2-3 guys in on the offensive line to counter Oregon's rotations?<br /><br />IMO the real key is on the other side of the ball somehow forcing punts. A common thread of games they've lost is opponents who've had athletic disciplined play from the front 7 that has disrupted their running attack. If the Duck O is consistently carving off 8 yard chunks then they're going to enjoy 40-60 points and probably a W too.<br /><br />btw... last year in recruiting Todd Barr sort of reminded me of Bryant Young

<blockquote><div class="name-said">NYCGOBEARS;686193 said:</div><hr>Off topic but, Geoff Schwartz tweeting to Cal recruits about our current situation is pretty awesome. See thread... Not all ducks are dirty.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />What did he say?

<blockquote><div class="name-said">SadbutTrue999;686289 said:</div><hr>What did he say?<hr></blockquote><br />Do a search on the thread. It was basically Geoff on twitter saying not to make a decision based on one coach but your love for the school and program.

[FONT=Arial Narrow][SIZE=3][COLOR=Black]Dear <b>MAMA BEAR Patty Thompson</b> and California Golden Bear FOR LIFE <b>Syd Thompson</b> and <b>PAPA BEAR David Thompson</b>,[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]<br /><br /><img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />" />" /><br /><br /><b>[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][COLOR=Navy]Bear Nation needs you right now.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]</b>

<blockquote><div class="name-said">Nasal Mucus Goldenbear;686299 said:</div><hr>[FONT=Arial Narrow][SIZE=3][COLOR=Black]Dear <b>MAMA BEAR Patty Thompson</b> and California Golden Bear FOR LIFE <b>Syd Thompson</b> and <b>PAPA BEAR David Thompson</b>,[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]<br /><br /><img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />" />" /><br /><br /><b>[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][COLOR=Navy]Bear Nation needs you right now.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]</b><hr></blockquote><br /><br />This.<br /><br />It IS going to happen.<br /><br />:tedford

<blockquote><div class="name-said">Quote:</div><hr>Geoff Schwartz @GeoffSchwartz74 12h Reply Retweet Favorite Open<br />To HS prospects. You can't solely base your college decision on a position coach. You gotta love the school cuz coaches leave all the time.<br /><br /><br /> Geoff Schwartz @GeoffSchwartz74 12h Reply Retweet Favorite Open<br />Reading lots of articles about Cal's ace recruiter n DL coach leaving. 4-5 star commits to Cal are jumping ship now. Here's some advice...<hr></blockquote><br />..

<blockquote><div class="name-said">BearyWhite;685900 said:</div><hr>sign of the times -- we're jumping with joy because one of our verbals has moved us up into his top three schools. :headbang<hr></blockquote><br /><br />That was being facetious but yes, we're doing cartwheels when a top recruit we had in the bag doesn't disown us completely. <br /><br /><img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />" />" />

<blockquote><div class="name-said">KoreAmBear;686492 said:</div><hr>That was being facetious but yes, we're doing cartwheels when a top recruit we had in the bag doesn't disown us completely. <hr></blockquote><br /><br />I know a large number of people here enjoy luxuriating in negativity, but we've had ONE commit flip to another school so far.<br /><br />Just saying.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">maxer;686578 said:</div><hr>I know a large number of people here enjoy luxuriating in negativity, but we've had ONE commit flip to another school so far.<br /><br />Just saying.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />You could look at it that way. Or look at it where multiple recruits re-opened their recruitment after their verbals. Doesn't matter -- we just want them to come back and fax a piece of paper to a 510 area code on 2/1/12/.

I've never felt confident about Shaq -- the way he was committed, then de-committed, then committed, then de-committed... He looks like someone who is looking for an exit. I won't be the least surprised if he's gone, and will be pleasantly stunned if we land him on 2/1.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">JSC 76;686889 said:</div><hr>I've never felt confident about Shaq -- the way he was committed, then de-committed, then committed, then de-committed... He looks like someone who is looking for an exit. I won't be the least surprised if he's gone, and will be pleasantly stunned if we land him on 2/1.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Perhaps, it is just his "nature," so stay tuned.<br /><br />It has been interesting observing how each kid handles his recruitment...

<blockquote><div class="name-said">JSC 76;686889 said:</div><hr>I've never felt confident about Shaq -- the way he was committed, then de-committed, then committed, then de-committed... He looks like someone who is looking for an exit. I won't be the least surprised if he's gone, and will be pleasantly stunned if we land him on 2/1.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />While this is true, I believe he was being manipulated by publicists the entire time. They value uncommitted kids at their game and he was a big fish. Shaq's tweets were off character while tripping for the Army All American player ceremony.<br /><br />There was also that little episode with both him and Payton spilling the beans and likely getting chastised. If you read his quotes and that story back then, I'd think we'd all agree he was all Cal. <br /><br />I think he was having fun before, and remember his brother probably helped guide him through this process. His family would be media savvy, and the doubt thats being raised doesn't sound like something they'd do just for fun anymore. <br /><br />As a side note, anyone know if he's planning to be at Cal on the 27th?

<blockquote><div class="name-said">JSC 76;686889 said:</div><hr>I've never felt confident about Shaq -- the way he was committed, then de-committed, then committed, then de-committed... He looks like someone who is looking for an exit. I won't be the least surprised if he's gone, and will be pleasantly stunned if we land him on 2/1.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />...if thats true and he wanted a way to go somewhere other than Cal, but felt family obligations and like he had to go to Cal...then I'm happy this happened (for him). First and foremost, its about whats best for these kids and what they want. Sure...I want them to all what I want...to go to Cal, to beat Stanford, and to smell Roses. But there is more to life than Football. I'd hate for him to begrudgingly go somewhere he doesn't want to be.<br /><br />Still hoping he *chooses* to be a bear though...would be amazing having him in the backfield for the next 3-4 years, and would be a nightmare to have to face him if he chooses to go elsewhere in the pac12.<br /><br />Best of luck Shaq, in your decision and all of your endeavors.<br /><br />~MrGPAC

<blockquote><div class="name-said">Ace4eVer;686927 said:</div><hr><br /><br />....As a side note, anyone know if he's planning to be at Cal on the 27th?<hr></blockquote><br /><br />It would sure go a long way in getting him out of his funk<br /><br />:facepalm

Shaq is the gem of the CAL recruiting class easily but I don't want him to leave to UW because of just a coach. He should do whats best for him, it would be fantastic to keep him as a Bear because we are going to have a pretty good secondary next year with McClure, Williams, Walls and if Shaq comes, won't be surprised if he wins the Strong Safety position.

It's got to be a tough decision for him. If he chooses Cal and accomplishes anything near what his big brother did, the Thompson family could become a permanent part of Cal lore and maybe even household name in the Bay Area for a long, long time.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">manus;686166 said:</div><hr>Well then, just remember that the guy who allegedly orchestrated those phony injury timeouts a couple years ago is now on the Washington sidelines: just lay a couple more TD's on them for s**ts and giggles.<br /><br />:beer:<hr></blockquote><br /><br />the last couple years I've read quotes from Duck players saying they don't really get the focus on UW from the fans as they've been beaten so soundly for so long. They say the Fuskies aren't an elite program fighting them for leadership in the Pac 10/12 and so on. But they also say that there is no denying the difference that UW game day brings and the build up to it is palatable. Fans are always on it... for me and I'd speculate many/most Duck fans it's the only game where it's okay to full on hate the opponent.<br /><br />Next year we'll go for 9 in a row at Autzen then hope to cap a decade of dominance in the leghumpers new digs in 2013. The average score in those 8 glorious games is 42-18, I'll happily see that margin expand on TL's watch. I'm planning on heading North for next year's game and will be sure to pass along your warm regards <br /><br />:beer: