19 Comments
User's avatar
GoldenHairs's avatar

nice maybe we can finally stop the run

AndDriveDriveDrive's avatar

I dub the lines “the refrigerator aisle”

BrooklynBear's avatar

Massive get! Remember last season’s LB and edge players couldn’t execute a scrape exchange concept against Va Tech because the interior DL couldn’t be expected to get off blocks or hold gaps.

Blondiesandtopdog's avatar

Ok I want to learn: what’s a scrape exchange concept?

Wiata78's avatar

https://mgoblog.com/content/what-scrape-exchange#:~:text=What's%20a%20scrape%20exchange%3A%20It's,of%20a%20quarterback's%20zone%20read.

I can read and understand this, but it’s complicated enough that the information immediately leaves my brain.

BrooklynBear's avatar

that's a good first place to look. In the full piece (https://mgoblog.com/content/what-scrape-exchange) look at the 11v11. Our LBs (0 & 41) weren't replacing on the edge because (I hope and not just that they didn't know this concept) our "N" & "T" weren't able to hold the line against the Virginia Tech guards and centers. So essentially Drones could read the edge crashing and still feel confident keeping up the middle until he got to the 2nd level. Or when the edge crashed he could toss it wide and get yards because 0 and 41 were too inside (protecting our "N" & "T") to meet them wide at the LOS.

Blondiesandtopdog's avatar

Talent overcomes scheme. But culture is perhaps more important.

Feels like we are getting an upgrade in talent, but it will fully show in 3 years I think bc Tosh was pretty clear that he wants to recruit HS and we lost that this year

If we can have a team culture that pushes each other and be supportive at the same time, the talent will turn into wins

GoldenBear88's avatar

Our new look on defense had better include pressure on opposing qb's and stuffing the run. Cal let too many teams come back and win (or almost win) last year. I'm ready for some defense that can actually preserve multiple touchdown leads. I'm getting old and there is only so much my heart can take!

oldblue1976's avatar

This appears to be a great get -- but we really need to persuade some linebackers to play at CAL (probably 3 or 4)!

Justbear's avatar

Maybe Ferrelli is open to transferring

BerkeleyBear's avatar

Very clear overall Tosh is emphasizing raw talent and upside which is really great to see. In addition to proven production from some mid-major school guys (Chase Hendricks, Dorian Thompson, etc.) he's adding a bunch of players from blue blood programs with major HS recruiting bonafides (Jericho, Okoye, etc.). Wilcox added very few of those latter types of players during his tenure. This gives us a much higher ceiling if we can coach these guys up.

Justbear's avatar

Wilcox added many former 4* HS recruits from blue blood schools. From Oregon, Tennessee, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida, Clemson, etc.

JoJoSungy's avatar

This is the kind of athlete that has been rare for Cal. Exciting times.

BerkeleyBear's avatar

Awesome addition!!

TKE Prytanis 79's avatar

Another welcome addition...Go Bears!

J S's avatar

“The Big Uglies” frequetly make everything else possible on the field. I bet he can put it away at the team training table....no low cal low carb diet for him. Go Bears!

KetamineCal's avatar

Huge part of the new look indeed. This could be the year he undergoes significant progression.

GoldenBear68's avatar

Another massive refrigerator-size lineman recruited by Tosh. If he’s got athleticism to go with his size, he will be another key player in the restructuring of the Cal DL, something that the team badly needs if it is to be successful going forward.

deehart's avatar

Can we give him some short yardage carries ?