Looks like the thing to do nowadays is to post the letter allowing contact

I guess with us taking 2 RBs next cycle and Echols probably looking at 4th on the depth chart he figured he wasn't going to get any playing time. Sucks though, seemed like he would've broken into the rotation once Tre and Pat graduate.

Does this mean that Ali's grandson has more potential than Echols? Need at least 4 backs to play next year:

1A. Laird
1B. Watson
2. Clark?
3. One of the Frosh or RS Frosh?

What does double exclamation point mean?

MoragaBear said:

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TBD. Ali-Walsh was ruled out for the season at the start of fall camp with injury.

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Which season?

Who?

I blame Buh.

heartofthebear said:

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What does double exclamation point mean?

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I'm sure he's excited to be released and have other opportunities.

NVBear78 said:

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Does this mean that Ali's grandson has more potential than Echols? Need at least 4 backs to play next year:

1A. Laird
1B. Watson
2. Clark?
3. One of the Frosh or RS Frosh?

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I mean Clark was one of the best in San Diego so he was highly regarded. Adams and Brown should provide some depth I hope. I don't know if it was Gould or what, but I do remember the days when freshmen RB seemed to be a little more turnkey than Echols and Clark were this season.

KoreAmBear said:

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NVBear78 said:

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Does this mean that Ali's grandson has more potential than Echols? Need at least 4 backs to play next year:

1A. Laird
1B. Watson
2. Clark?
3. One of the Frosh or RS Frosh?

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I mean Clark was one of the best in San Diego so he was highly regarded. Adams and Brown should provide some depth I hope. I don't know if it was Gould or what, but I do remember the days when freshmen RB seemed to be a little more turnkey than Echols and Clark were this season.

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Kinda helps when one of those guys is named Marshawn Lynch. Gould was a good coach but he was not a miracle worker.

71Bear said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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NVBear78 said:

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Does this mean that Ali's grandson has more potential than Echols? Need at least 4 backs to play next year:

1A. Laird
1B. Watson
2. Clark?
3. One of the Frosh or RS Frosh?

---

I mean Clark was one of the best in San Diego so he was highly regarded. Adams and Brown should provide some depth I hope. I don't know if it was Gould or what, but I do remember the days when freshmen RB seemed to be a little more turnkey than Echols and Clark were this season.

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Kinda helps when one of those guys is named Marshawn Lynch. Gould was a good coach but he was not a miracle worker.

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Yeah, the talent with which he had to work was unprecedented, at least for Cal football. Good coach and person, though, from what I can tell.

Was there a team in the country that could lay claim to as good a succession of RBs that we had at Cal during the Tedford/Gould era?

Igber--just his senior year in 2002
Echemandu
Arrington
Lynch
Forsett
Best
Vereen
CJ Anderson
Sofele

StillABear1 said:

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Was there a team in the country that could lay claim to as good a succession of RBs that we had at Cal during the Tedford/Gould era?

Igber--just his senior year in 2002
Echemandu
Arrington
Lynch
Forsett
Best
Vereen
CJ Anderson
Sofele

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Pains me to say this, but 'Furd's list from Gerhart through Love looks pretty impressive. Maybe there were a couple of years in there where there was a "gap", but still...

Credit to the Furd O-line, as most of their guys haven't fared particularly well at the next level.

Gerhart, McCaffrey, Love, and who else?

Hate to perpetuate the junior university on the other side of the bay discussion, but you can add Stepfan Taylor, who had quite a great career, and Tyler Gaffney. Not sure of others. I still like Cal's list better but you argue that the Bay Area is Running Back Central over the last decade and one-half.

GAffney, Taylor

To be morbidly realistic, the way that injuries happen in football (esp. at Cal), even at 4, he is only two hits away from regular rotation. Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4.

UrsaMajor said:

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Gerhart, McCaffrey, Love, and who else?

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Gerhart had a nice career in the NFL... as a backup. Does he even play still?

Is Billy McCrary still an RB or is he a DB again?

Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where THEY THINK they can get them.

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Corrected it for you.

Golden One said:

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Corrected it for you.

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Thanks. I edited my original post, using the verbiage you suggested.

Fyght4Cal said:

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To be morbidly realistic, the way that injuries happen in football (esp. at Cal), even at 4, he is only two hits away from regular rotation. Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4.

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As I remember, he was wishy washy as a recruit--committed, then decomitted (when Dykes was fired?) then recommitted....his size/skill set might be better suited for a spread offense as well--did we ever have him as a kick returner? That was supposed to be one of his strengths.

calumnus said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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To be morbidly realistic, the way that injuries happen in football (esp. at Cal), even at 4, he is only two hits away from regular rotation. Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4.

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As I remember, he was wishy washy as a recruit--committed, then decomitted (when Dykes was fired?) then recommitted....his size/skill set might be better suited for a spread offense as well--did we ever have him as a kick returner? That was supposed to be one of his strengths.

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I believe Echols was a redshirt freshman this fall, so that'd be two years in the program. IIRC, he was an early commit that was vocally pro-Cal and tried to influence others to join him.

ferCALgm2 said:

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UrsaMajor said:

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Gerhart, McCaffrey, Love, and who else?

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Gerhart had a nice career in the NFL... as a backup. Does he even play still?

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Silly and immature to downplay a guy who was second in the Heisman trophy. He played six years in the league and retired due to injuries. I love Cal football but sick of loser mentality putting down others because of where they play.

Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

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Is it quitting or seeking a better opportunity for yourself. If you aren't getting promoted and passed over at your job and feel that you are being blocked, do you stay there or seek a better opportunity to succeed?

I'm not questioning his NCAA career, where he was indeed elite. Just being realistic with his NFL career. I'm comparing his NFL career to Lynch's, Vereen's, and CJ's from our program... and he doesn't compare.

Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

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It is one thing to quit. It is another to intelligently survey the landscape, examine your fit and make a rational decision regarding your next steps.

I believe Echols fits the latter explanation of his desire to move on.

It is rather facile to simply tag young guys like Echols as quitters when, in fact, they are thoughtful individuals doing what is best for them....

Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

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Because no one older has ever sought a new opportunity.

Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

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The only advantage I have is experiencing Cal football for 38 years. I have the scars and their attendant wisdom to draw upon. Zion Echols is a young man, and youth will have its day. I continue to support him and wish him the best.

71Bear said:

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Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

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It is one thing to quit. It is another to intelligently survey the landscape, examine your fit and make a rational decision regarding your next steps.

I believe Echols fits the latter explanation of his desire to move on.

It is rather facile to simply tag young guys like Echols as quitters when, in fact, they are thoughtful individuals doing what is best for them....

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I agree with this. He finished the season and, as best we can tell, he gave his full effort throughout. For me, that means he didn't quit. He wasn't getting playing time and that didn't seem likely to change in the near future, if at all.

He also let Cal know his intentions early on so that the coaches can adjust their plans/recruiting. Different then many others who have left the program late in the process (Cochran and Scarlett come to mind).

Ncsf said:

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Bear19 said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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Unless I was really unhappy or having a tough time at the school, there is no way I would transfer as a freshman, even at #4

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That's because you (me) were raised not to quit if success doesn't come immediately. Kids today expect instant results, and if they don't get them, they move to another place where they think they can get them.

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Is it quitting or seeking a better opportunity for yourself. If you aren't getting promoted and passed over at your job and feel that you are being blocked, do you stay there or seek a better opportunity to succeed?

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Depends on a bunch of factors (money, location, company reputation, level within company, industry, etc.). I do know that when someone jumps from job to job, after only spending a year at each, they indeed hurt themselves in the job market. One change is usually OK these days, but two successive such changes raises a red flag.