Archive for Players

The Bears are Roaring: Arizona Previews

The Bear Will Not Quit talks on Arizona’s spread offense “How do you defend against [archnemesis/former Texas Tech OC’s Sonny Dykes’s spread] offense? 1. You must limit yards after the catch. When this offense racks up 40+ points, it is due to big gains off short passes. Think of how the Patriots used Wes Welker […]

Posted by: Avinash on Friday, October 17th, 2008

Weekly Cognitive Bias: Regression to the Mean

Image above originally found here. This article (hattip via EDSBS) caught my eye this past weekend. One week after defensive end Greg Hardy dismantled Florida with his pass rushing ability, the talented junior seemed invisible during the Rebels’ 31-24 loss to South Carolina on Saturday. By the second half, Hardy was rarely on the field […]

Posted by: Avinash on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

What I Learned From The Bear Insider

There are so many things I learn from reading message boards. I get these deep, penetrating insights that I could never get from being in the locker room and can thus virtually coach the game based on what anonymous posters have discovered through the game. You just get the feeling that they should be watching […]

Posted by: Avinash on Friday, October 10th, 2008

Cal – Arizona State Report Card

Quarterback: Feels like we haven’t discussed this topic enough, eh? Longshore did enough to win the game, but he didn’t do enough to distinguish himself from Kevin Riley. On one hand, the Cal quarterback kept things simple with swing dumps and screens early. On the other, Nate floated a few passes that took some adjustment […]

Posted by: Avinash on Sunday, October 5th, 2008

Stake Your Place: Arizona State Preview

From a yardage standpoint, Cal looked on even terms with the Sun Devils last season (359 to 363). The Bears defense also came up big early, garnerng an early fumble return for a touchdown and two sacks and maintaining strong pressure on Carpenter through the first half. Even the running game was less than sparkling, […]

Posted by: Avinash on Friday, October 3rd, 2008

California – Colorado State Report Card

Quarterbacks: Kevin Riley is a work in progress. Although his pass protection isn’t quite as good as we’d like it to be, and his receivers have dropped some catchable balls (including one touchdown) he’s still underthrowing catchable balls or misreading routes by quite a bit. The rapport with his wideouts isn’t quite there yet. While […]

Posted by: Avinash on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

The Longshore-Riley-Mansion Debates: Decision Making

After four weeks of action by our football team, we continue the California Golden Bears quarterback debates of 2008. MODERATOR: After a spirited first round, it’s time for a new topic. Mr. Longshore, for two years you were the starter under Jeff Tedford and ran his West Coast offense with great proficiency. Yet after you […]

Posted by: Avinash on Monday, September 29th, 2008

A Nonsensical Preview of Cal-Colorado State, With Beaver on the Side

For those looking for stream information, there is none yet. It is not looking good, and you might as well get the All-Access Pass and follow Starkey if you want a 100% chance at following the game. Bar locations are being updated as soon as I can find them (and the map’s open for anyone […]

Posted by: Avinash on Saturday, September 27th, 2008

What Is The Purpose of A College Coach?

Watching Marshawn Lynch piledrive his way into the end zone on Sunday against the Raiders yesterday, I can’t help but look back upon his exciting tenure at California. There were times when he looked unstoppable in open field, not even six feet of power driving past tacklers and defenders. I remember him against the Huskies, […]

Posted by: Avinash on Monday, September 22nd, 2008

DeSean Jackson Happy To Have People Underestimate Him

IRVING, TX–Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson seems to be taking his now infamous play in stride, forcing many NFL fans ponder deeply about the astounding individual talent from Cal. “He seems pretty casual about it. What a bonehead.” Said one NFL fan. And another. And another. Actually, it went like that through most of the […]

Posted by: Avinash on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008