13 Comments

I hope the limited depth on the O-line doesn't bite us this year. Why we can't recruit and develop a three-deep I can't imagine., but ultimately it falls on the coaches for either not picking out the right talent and then perhaps not coaching it up. It also seems like every year there is more attrition on the OL than any other position group. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

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I appreciate this article giving some depth and analysis of these two new Bears.

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Sessions may be a candidate to "start right away" but he may find the going a wee bit tougher when he looks to the other side of the ball and sees BJ or X staring him in the face!! I like the confidence and perhaps it will translate onto the field. As an aside, I'm not sure Coleman is a good answer at LT. He doesn't appear to be nimble or long enough for the position. Opposing teams often put their best rusher up against the LT and I haven't observed enough agility by Coleman to stand up against the best the PAC12 has to offer. I'm more concerned about this fit than any other on the OL. Perhaps a few candidates will emerge at LT putting Coleman back in the interior which is his natural fit.

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Thorpe wont be back. Medical problem. This has been public knowledge for some time. Therebis one scholly open. Recruiting is not done.

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author

Yeah, I've seen the same chatter, but until it's confirmed either by the player or the program we're cautious about that kind of stuff

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Until we get official notice from the athletic program and/or DJ nothings official or public knowledge.

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Source?

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You will get your wish since DJ took a medical retirement. It is why Fox has one more scholarship to give.

SFCityBear said:

Not what I was wishing for. I wanted him on the floor, and ready to go, obviously. Sorry to hear about this. My best wishes to him for a healthy future, and my thanks to him for the minutes he was able to play for the Cal team.

Yeah, we know, just the way you phrased it….

Yes, thanks to Thorpe for battling injuries and contributing as he could. He clearly made the right decision coming to Cal. At least he will have a Cal degree. And taking the medical retirement removes the uncertainty and risk of the scenario you mention

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May 10, 2022·edited May 10, 2022

If true, our weakest position, the post, just got even weaker...will wait for the official announcement, but Fox absolutely needs to get a big...which we needed even with Thorpe...wondering why we haven’t discussed the dearth of quality bigs under Fox...

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The Bear Insider

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Very interesting - a couple of "adds" late in the process. But it seems like both can help their respective teams. On the Askew addition, whether the four-star recruit can flash what got him into college at a high level is sort of an unknown at this point.

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May 9, 2022Liked by Nick Kranz

Thanks Nick.

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I won't have an opportunity to see the new guys until fall camp, so can't comment until that time ~ or, perhaps after a game or two. I'm guessing with the additions that there will be a lot of mixing and matching. ATM my only head scratcher is Coleman at LT. Makes no sense as he's out of position and doesn't have the athletic ability nor the length at that position. Rather this tells me that the move was in desperation, which falls on Angus for not recruiting and/or coaching up a kid to play their natural spot. That said, the unexpected retirement of Craig did muck things up quite a bit. Losing both Craig and Mettauer doesn't help the cause, so be it.

Ideally a true LT will emerge during fall camp allowing Coleman to play his natural spot. Also would help if Coleman did a bit more body sculpting during the off season. He will need to be a lot quicker to deal with some of the DE's and OLB's the Pac12 is going to throw at him.

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