OL continues to be this teams biggest question mark. Losing 2 starters ( 1 retired, 1 transfer) does not help. And nagging injuries has kept some lads who need reps out of much of this spring. Not ideal. We have some decent freshmen coming in which should help out in fall camp. Perhaps this will be the year that Cal's OL breaks out, else things will get very hot for Wilcox.
Thanks for the update. Will tune in on Saturday. OL as CalBear91 says remains a significant concern as we seem unable to develop depth at that position.
Nice update. If this defense is as good as 2018 and the offense is a little better than we’ve had in recent years we might make some noise in the PAC-12.
Thanks so much! I've gone back and watched games from last year, including OSU and USC. What jumped out was how much time Garbers spent running for his life. Without his ability to run for yards and escape pressure, that offense was going nowhere! Therefore, as always, Oline will determine our success this year and I am not hearing reason for encouragement. Granted, Garbers may have been missing open receivers in quick windows, but I don't care how good our receivers are, if the QB doesn't have time. And I'm reading in this report that our own defense is not giving the QB time to throw. And do we think our Defensive front is so much better than the league?
I realize it's Spring ball, and there are some O line players out, but O line remains my concern area. Wilcox said Brooks made some great runs on Monday too.
Our front seven on D is very good and very likely will be at the top of the conference sans any significant injuries. The back 4 will be good to great at 2 spots: LM Hearns & Scott. Gamble, if healthy should be much improved. Leaving the other safety spot as the only "unknown" but several players are getting lots of reps and look good: Willams / Barth. That said, we are very thin in the defensive backfield should injuries occur. What is exciting, however, is given how good our front 7 are, this is the year to have a less experienced group on the back end. As predicted last year, this D has the potential to be the top D of Wilcox's tenure.
OL continues to be this teams biggest question mark. Losing 2 starters ( 1 retired, 1 transfer) does not help. And nagging injuries has kept some lads who need reps out of much of this spring. Not ideal. We have some decent freshmen coming in which should help out in fall camp. Perhaps this will be the year that Cal's OL breaks out, else things will get very hot for Wilcox.
3 starters: Craig, Val, and Mettauer
Val had another year of eligibility? I was only considering "returning" starters not ones that have graduated.
Not so much hot for Wilcox, but continued mediocrity will see Angus looking for a new job I hope.
Hello transfer portal my old friend........
Good job TD...thanks!
Thanks for the update. Will tune in on Saturday. OL as CalBear91 says remains a significant concern as we seem unable to develop depth at that position.
Nice update. If this defense is as good as 2018 and the offense is a little better than we’ve had in recent years we might make some noise in the PAC-12.
Thanks so much! I've gone back and watched games from last year, including OSU and USC. What jumped out was how much time Garbers spent running for his life. Without his ability to run for yards and escape pressure, that offense was going nowhere! Therefore, as always, Oline will determine our success this year and I am not hearing reason for encouragement. Granted, Garbers may have been missing open receivers in quick windows, but I don't care how good our receivers are, if the QB doesn't have time. And I'm reading in this report that our own defense is not giving the QB time to throw. And do we think our Defensive front is so much better than the league?
I realize it's Spring ball, and there are some O line players out, but O line remains my concern area. Wilcox said Brooks made some great runs on Monday too.
Thanks again for your report and insights.
Our front seven on D is very good and very likely will be at the top of the conference sans any significant injuries. The back 4 will be good to great at 2 spots: LM Hearns & Scott. Gamble, if healthy should be much improved. Leaving the other safety spot as the only "unknown" but several players are getting lots of reps and look good: Willams / Barth. That said, we are very thin in the defensive backfield should injuries occur. What is exciting, however, is given how good our front 7 are, this is the year to have a less experienced group on the back end. As predicted last year, this D has the potential to be the top D of Wilcox's tenure.
Thanks, TD! I will definitely be watching on Saturday.
Agreed - thanks for the article TD...good stuff.