needs to get in better shape ... if hunter does not make it back he is going to get a lot of PT...

he needs to work on his footwork

Man, gimme Hunter! Really held his own as a true freshman. Looking forward to watching him develop.

MoragaBear;842307045 said:

---

You guys do realize that Wednesday's practice wasn't open, right? What's there to report on with regard to the OL?

There was very little for Allan to go on.

Friday's practice will be open but it will be helmets only so nothing to glean about the OL there, either.

We've had other comments Sonny's made about the OL earlier this spring. Moore's been solid in his move to LT and he got better throughout last year on the right side. Borrayo's been cited as maybe the best overall OL by the end of last season and he's continued to build on it. They're happy with the job Rigsbee did at center last season working the position for the first time. Even though Adcock and Cochran will be back in fall camp, they still intend to start him there so that says a lot about how he's doing. He has had some occasional shotgun snap problems in camp but since it wasn't much of an issue last season, I doubt it will be this season. Looks like Crosthwaite, Adcock and Cochran will fight it out at RG, so there will be some OG and C depth. RT's the main question mark. Yenser said Farley, Okafor and Cochran are making nice strides and depending on how fast JC transfer Granado picks up things in the fall, they expect him to be in the mix there, too.

---

Hi Moraga -- As always, I want to emphasize that I like most of the coverage provided by BearInsider.

The fact is we get very little firsthand coverage of the OL, even when practices are open and the pads are on. The coaches will be evaluating linemen on Friday, pads or not. It would be great if the site could give the linemen the same amount of coverage that it gives receivers and QBs.

OL has been our single biggest problem for a long time now. It would be great if subscribers and others could see this better reflected in the reporting. I am much more interested in the individual performances of first and second string OL than I am in guys who are prbably less likely to see the field for many significant snaps -- i.e., Hinder, Boehm, Harper, Coprich, etc.

MoragaBear;842307045 said:

---

You guys do realize that Wednesday's practice wasn't open, right? What's there to report on with regard to the OL?

There was very little for Allan to go on.

Friday's practice will be open but it will be helmets only so nothing to glean about the OL there, either.

We've had other comments Sonny's made about the OL earlier this spring. Moore's been solid in his move to LT and he got better throughout last year on the right side. Borrayo's been cited as maybe the best overall OL by the end of last season and he's continued to build on it. They're happy with the job Rigsbee did at center last season working the position for the first time. Even though Adcock and Cochran will be back in fall camp, they still intend to start him there so that says a lot about how he's doing. He has had some occasional shotgun snap problems in camp but since it wasn't much of an issue last season, I doubt it will be this season. Looks like Crosthwaite, Adcock and Cochran will fight it out at RG, so there will be some OG and C depth. RT's the main question mark. Yenser said Farley, Okafor and Cochran are making nice strides and depending on how fast JC transfer Granado picks up things in the fall, they expect him to be in the mix there, too.

---

OL competition and depth ... :woohoo
Wondering about backups on the left side of the line ... ?
:gobears:

Be it here, a competitive site, or the old school newspaper that is sitting in your driveway, Oline evaluation and commentary is going to be secondary to almost every other group in terms of discussion. Though some have opinions, the reality is, who missed an assignment or block remains a difficult chore to determine. Sure, many times with a sack you know an O-linemen blew an assignment, but what if someone was supposed to be helping be it the RB or TE? And with practice, sure you see a great catch, a great run, but your best O-line going against not your best D-line, or if your D-line isn't very good to begin with, what are you really seeing?
Be it economics or ego, the written folks have been slow to adopt what the electronic media has done: ex-players and ex-coaches telling us what is going on. If you are watching ESPN or whomever, its not Chris Berman trying to breakdown what happened specifically with an O-line group, its one of many real football experienced people giving you insight into what really went on.

The Duke!;842307046 said:

---

Hi Moraga -- As always, I want to emphasize that I like most of the coverage provided by BearInsider.

The fact is we get very little firsthand coverage of the OL, even when practices are open and the pads are on. The coaches will be evaluating linemen on Friday, pads or not. It would be great if the site could give the linemen the same amount of coverage that it gives receivers and QBs.

OL has been our single biggest problem for a long time now. It would be great if subscribers and others could see this better reflected in the reporting. I am much more interested in the individual performances of first and second string OL than I am in guys who are prbably less likely to see the field for many significant snaps -- i.e., Hinder, Boehm, Harper, Coprich, etc.

---

since this is the last real open practice

i will try and spend some time by the OL ... they start out working just to the left of the north tunnel , and most times end up walking around the other way and by time i make it around to their side they are in other drills ..lol too much stuff going on ..

go bears

going4roses;842307066 said:

---

since this is the last real open practice

i will try and spend some time by the OL ... they start out working just to the left of the north tunnel , and most times end up walking around the other way and by time i make it around to their side they are in other drills ..lol too much stuff going on ..

go bears

---

Thanks, going4roses!!!!

Football: It's all about the O-line.

Well, ... and field position.

MB any word on hunter ? those that have the ability to ask sonny questions ... is there as playing it safe mode of asking questions or what ? ... help me out
you personally when you ask questions do you have a pre list of questions ( not trying to be too nosey ) or shoot from the hip so to speak


ie has nobody asked bout hunter because ... they(we)do not want to hear the bad news? type of thing or .. reporter edict?

BearlyClad;842307040 said:

---

Man, gimme Hunter! Really held his own as a true freshman. Looking forward to watching him develop.

---

loved him from the jump of calling the new CAL coaches that offered at him while a LA tech .. talk about proactive i would think a
a 2star / unranked player true freshman that held his own ( everyone here agrees ?)

hope he is ok let it be simple , homesick or something ( something correctable)
saw him at CAL pro day and he got alot of the baby weight off and looking like on the road to be up to NFL player size soon ..

then 2 or 3 spring practices in he gone is dealing with personal issues grr setting him back period .. come on damn it ... guess that is that cal /luck that a lot of long timers talk about around these parts

next man step up ... DT davis will definitely need to hit ground running
to get ready especially if moose and hunter are a no go

with only 8 DT on the spring roster that includes moose #90 and #95 hunter

so that leaves 6 ouch .. cause on those is northangle(sp) doing double duty as LS do not know what the his primary position is


go bears

SonOfCalVa;842307059 said:

---

OL competition and depth ... :woohoo
Wondering about backups on the left side of the line ... ?
:gobears:

---

What they usually do regarding back-ups, is that they are not really right or left side guys. they have 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. tackles, and if someone needs replaced out of the starting two, the #3 kid goes in - either side. Same with the guards I am sure.

The OL remains challenged, by all reports. The left side is encouraging with Moore and Borrayo, but center and the Right Side guard and tackle are in play.

Rigsby continues to have problems with accuracy at Center and is now taking snaps at RG. Matt Cochran is taking snaps at Center, after playing last season before injury at RG. Crosthwaite finished out the season at RG after M. Cochran's injury.

Farley and Okafor compete for the RT position, vacated by Moore who's moved to left tackle. JC transfer Granado comes in this fall as the savior at RT - or not.

Chris Adcock was the starting Center last year before being injured and is the key to the questions on the OL - IMO. Cal needs Adcock at Center and then shake out the best players for the RG and RT positions.

Getting players in place so practice can contribute to consistency for the entire OL as a unit is critical for Cal's success in 2014.

Just saying......................

dinan3;842307699 said:

---

The OL remains challenged, by all reports. The left side is encouraging with Moore and Borrayo, but center and the Right Side guard and tackle are in play.

Rigsby continues to have problems with accuracy at Center and is now taking snaps at RG. Matt Cochran is taking snaps at Center, after playing last season before injury at RG. Crosthwaite finished out the season at RG after M. Cochran's injury.

Farley and Okafor compete for the RT position, vacated by Moore who's moved to left tackle. JC transfer Granado comes in this fall as the savior at RT - or not.

Chris Adcock was the starting Center last year before being injured and is the key to the questions on the OL - IMO. Cal needs Adcock at Center and then shake out the best players for the RG and RT positions.

Getting players in place so practice can contribute to consistency for the entire OL as a unit is critical for Cal's success in 2014.

Just saying......................

---

Not sure if anyone has any information but it would be great to have Bama's starting center come to Cal for grad school, even if he could only play one year.

Given the importance of the center in the BearRaid, the burden's on Yenser to develop the drill(s) necessary to solve the snapping problems.

As if I know :p but maybe a tin target with the center facing a DL who rushes ... the impact on the tin, or the lack thereof, would give immediate feedback

SonOfCalVa;842307720 said:

---

Not sure if anyone has any information but it would be great to have Bama's starting center come to Cal for grad school, even if he could only play one year.

---

a one-and-done guy, but would still likely be better than anyone we could start this year. truly terrifying how long we've had snapping issues.

Reported that Alabama snaps to the QB under center - not the shotgun that Cal uses..............

That said, Cal needs to invest in someone in Fall Camp and hone their skills - hopefully they will have skill............

Not sure who was in for the first play yesterday, but there was great push from somebody on the right that enabled Lasco to slant across and through all the way to the goalline.

BearlyClad;842307784 said:

---

Not sure who was in for the first play yesterday, but there was great push from somebody on the right that enabled Lasco to slant across and through all the way to the goalline.

---

Believe they used the same kids at 1s and 2s for the entire scrimmage.
1s: LT-Moore, LG-Borrayo, C-Rigsbee, RG-Crostwaithe, RT-Farley
2s: LT-Cochran, LG-Johnson, C-Hinnant, RG-Frazier, RT-Okafor

I don't think those groupings have changed in well over a week and an half.

Big difference between a spring and fall depth chart.There will be two or three different names on the oline come season opener.Right tackle is a big time weak link,and if Farley is in there,expect a lot of problems.I think Rigsbee will eventually be moved there.

runner;842308213 said:

---

Big difference between a spring and fall depth chart.There will be two or three different names on the oline come season opener.Right tackle is a big time weak link,and if Farley is in there,expect a lot of problems.I think Rigsbee will eventually be moved there.

---

Long way to go until Northwestern.
Couple of more practices, summer S&C, previously injured players coming in, JC players coming in, Fall practice.
OL is a work in process and progress[U] is[/U] being made.

Where is Bunte? He should be in the mix of potentials for Tackle. He another Gibson, Brazinski or Tagoloa,.. all bark (hype) and no bite (play)? Didn't he have somewhere between four and five stars on the Evaluation Websites? Can't keep wasting scholarships on players that can't play or contribute.

Hes hurt

Bunte is injured and has been getting reps at guard.

Hurt? Hasn't that been the same song for two (2) years? When did he get hurt? Wasn't He expected to compete for a Tackle position? Why does this keep happening? How long before Bunte is expected to be 100%?

Dduster;842308553 said:

---

Hurt? Hasn't that been the same song for two (2) years? When did he get hurt? Wasn't He expected to compete for a Tackle position? Why does this keep happening? How long before Bunte is expected to be 100%?

---

It's football. Things happen.

turkey02;842308556 said:

---

It's Cal football. Bad things always happen.

---

Fify

NYCGOBEARS;842308558 said:

---

Fify

---

Eh. Bunte has loads of potential and is still in his frosh year. The the OL is make or break with his performance there are a lot of other problems to worry about

mbBear;842307060 said:

---

Be it here, a competitive site, or the old school newspaper that is sitting in your driveway, Oline evaluation and commentary is going to be secondary to almost every other group in terms of discussion. Though some have opinions, the reality is, who missed an assignment or block remains a difficult chore to determine. Sure, many times with a sack you know an O-linemen blew an assignment, but what if someone was supposed to be helping be it the RB or TE? And with practice, sure you see a great catch, a great run, but your best O-line going against not your best D-line, or if your D-line isn't very good to begin with, what are you really seeing?
Be it economics or ego, the written folks have been slow to adopt what the electronic media has done: ex-players and ex-coaches telling us what is going on. If you are watching ESPN or whomever, its not Chris Berman trying to breakdown what happened specifically with an O-line group, its one of many real football experienced people giving you insight into what really went on.

---

I think the issue here is that unless you played and/or coached offensive line, you aren't going to be able to have any cogent commentary on what's happening out there. It's a complicated position, requiring a ton of technique and skill, so all anyone can really make is general commentary that they looked good, so-so, bad or some combination thereof. Anything more than that is asking a bit much I think from a regular journalist unless they played that position.

Vandalus;842308671 said:

---

I think the issue here is that unless you played and/or coached offensive line, you aren't going to be able to have any cogent commentary on what's happening out there. It's a complicated position, requiring a ton of technique and skill, so all anyone can really make is general commentary that they looked good, so-so, bad or some combination thereof. Anything more than that is asking a bit much I think from a regular journalist unless they played that position.

---

Coaches have to review film themselves to analyze the game.
Maybe someone like Berk can have some success watching real-time but I'm sure even he would admit that even on TV and especially in-stadium, nobody can really tell anything.
If sacks and hurry-ups are avoided, the running game gets yards, the chains move and the red zone results in TDs (and a few FGs), the OL is doing its job.

Truly amazing to read some of the "analysis" about the OL.
Here's one jewel by an ex-BI writer
"Rigsbee has been solid at center, although snapping remains a concern."
A center having snapping problems is not "solid".

The healthy return of Adcock and "little" Cochran the Elder will provide more options for getting large-bodied, experienced players on the field and increasing the versatility of our depth.
I'll be surprised if Granado doesn't blue-shirt to gain a year in S&C as well as learning how the offense operates.

You can fix snapping easier than you can fix everything else

Davidson;842309435 said:

---

You can fix snapping easier than you can fix everything else

---

Really? We've been have snapping issues for 3 years now. Obviously snapping is mainly about confidence and letting the body just do what it is trained to do more so than technique. Many can snap a football but can you do it when you are in front of 50,000 people? Can you do it after making OL calls? Can you do it when you are about to get hit in the face by a 300 lber? Can you do it after you've made a few bad snaps? Having been a bit of a choker (ie. over-thinker) in my past athletic life I can tell you that the ability to just 'make the motion' without over-thinking takes a lot of work and it takes someone or something giving you the keys to turning off your brain and just letting your muscles do what they are trained to do. Some kids have this ability right from the start. I suspect many at Cal tend to be over-thinkers and thus they need someone to train them to just 'go play'. So far, at center, it looks like guys still think too much when snaps start going awry. It's not as easy to fix as you think.

I once started a thread on bad snaps that I think went on for something like 10 pages.

At the end of the day, other schools accomplish this fundamental task just fine. The bottom line is the last two regimes have had major problems getting our centers to do their jobs correctly.

There are plenty of HS centers who do this very well. We need to find one or two who are good enough to do it at Cal while balancing everything else.

The Duke!;842309448 said:

---

I once started a thread on bad snaps that I think went on for something like 10 pages.

At the end of the day, other schools accomplish this fundamental task just fine. The bottom line is the last two regimes have had major problems getting our centers to do their jobs correctly.

There are plenty of HS centers who do this very well. We need to find one or two who are good enough to do it at Cal while balancing everything else.

---

see the post directly above yours ... it'll get fixed.

The Duke!;842309448 said:

---

There are plenty of HS centers who do this very well. We need to find one or two who are good enough to do it at Cal while balancing everything else.

---

I don't think so. At most high schools, large players with ball control skills do not play interior line positions. Consistency is not as important in the much slower high school game.

Didn't we recently have one of the highest rated high school centers in the nation? Almost nothing.

A crap shoot.

:cheer