Fernando Mendoza sure as heck did not look sick or act sick in that game he was sidelined. No mask, no distancing.....why would you let a guy with the flu stand, unmasked, at point blank next to anyone on the team? Was he better but could not practice (and so got benched)? The fans and donors deserve a better explanation...or, at the least honesty, about the situation. And, honestly, the whole system should be fixed so that this sort of stuff does not happen. There were people who paid good money to travel and attend that game and Mendoza's BS doomed the outcome.
On the main note...thank you Chandler Rogers for coming to Cal. I thought he gave us a better chance with the RPO and made important contributions in spots. Hope he get more play time at his next stop.
I feel like, a few times in one’s career, you need to make the selfish choice. Fernando felt that playing elsewhere was in his best interest, and apparently decided to prioritize his health for the rest of the season over placating his teammates and Cal fans. The cover story was a little shaky, and I’m not happy about him leaving, but it’s understandable.
Yeah, I kinda get that, but that's also partly how college football is falling apart: the right of the individual to pursue their own money is trumping the interests of the group (i.e. team, university, alumni, collective, fans, media companies, etc.). Dude is getting paid NIL and a scholarship and he somehow has the right to not play the final game of the season in the pursuit of his own selfish interests? And that's somehow OK? There has to be some sort of punitive damage for this sort of thing.
I agree, but we're still not fully in the pay-to-play world yet. I think we should start behaving like it, but there's no legal recourse since they're being paid "endorsements" instead of salaries despite us all understanding that if it quacks like a duck...
Clearly and the OL was a liability, but it's unfair to be paid NIL and scholarship money and then tap out while you are still in the regular season (I would argue bowl games too, but I could have lived with that). If they want to be pros, then you get fined like a pro for these sorts of antics.
And I don't resent Fernando for transferring; I saw it coming....but I lost a whole lot of respect for him over the SMU game. I like JW but allowing such overt charades (or lack there of) was a slap in the face to the Cal fans.
"With two scholarship quarterbacks out and one scholarship quarterback in...." Being a 'scholarship' player seems to be largely meaningless today. If you’re scholarship only and without NIL $$$, you’re fair-to-middling.
A scholarship means you were at least good enough to be scouted out of HS. Demanding (a larger) NIL means you're good enough to find consistent time on-field. So we largely agree, I just don't agree with the meaningless part. They're not walk-ons.
Transfer Portal = Unlimited Free Agency for college players. The NCAA HAS to remedy this, and my personal view is the Portal must be tied to college academics/education in some way. The Portal can't just be an "NFL Tryout" system, which is what it has now become... Remember, these players are supposed to be student-athletes. The Portal services only the latter, and this is not right at all. Go Bears Forever!
Or we lean into what it’s been all along. NFL Minor League.
How about we let them decide when they will be students. The scholarship is a transferable voucher for four years full or part time studies at any college they played for . I’m just brainstorming.
Bowlesman80, you are a great contributor to WFC, and yes, FBS is a minor league for The League. But there is a long history of athletes who are also students at FBS schools and we are losing this. The last few years have not emphasized college education, especially for football and basketball (Colorado makes me ill). Here's a brainstorm idea: college athletes play 2 years minimum at 1 FBS/FCS school (redshirt allowed, agents not allowed), then NFL can draft anyone with 2+ years of college experience. Players not drafted can go into the Portal for a 2 year commitment to another school, agents allowed. Emphasis on these athletes getting a degree. This might separate NFL-caliber college players from those who need to earn a degree for a non-NFL career. Just spit balling here, thoughts?
Interesting. I like it. However, what unleashed the flood was not policy, NCAA or otherwise, about amateur college athletics, but court rulings based upon free trade. If I understand rightly, that's why they can Portal like there's no tomorrow.
Your model seems similar to how it is for baseball, where's there's college baseball and minor league, where players can follow either or both paths. Careful, the spitball can get you ejected. LOL
I think Cal (and by extension Furd) needs to just get with the times. There are ways to spin it.
Cal should be a university where everyone goes to be the best at whatever they want to be -- a pipeline to success in the career that you want. Some sports (football, basketball, baseball) lead to a career in that sport. Others don't, and they'll worry more about academics.
Some of the more athletically inclined won't be the brightest academics, but if they're really fucking good at football that's still impressive -- being great at one thing but not another doesn't diminish how they represent the university, their character does. Not to mention, committing to winning in the modern era of football will pay for all our gymnastics & other scholarships so that THOSE kids can come to Cal and take advantage of everything that's offered.
School is important and it's important that whoever comes to Cal is supported academically so they can get their degrees if they don't make it athletically. But school also isn't *everything*. There is a greater social good that can be achieved here.
mrjpark, you wrote "Some of the more athletically inclined won't be the brightest academics, but if they're really fucking good at football that's still impressive -- being great at one thing but not another doesn't diminish how they represent the university, their character does". That is why I proposed for the great athletes a 2 year and out NFL opportunity; and for other players not going to the NFL, a focus on education. I know I don't run either FBS/FCS or the NFL, but as Elvis sang "If I Can Dream..."
Seems like that ship has sailed. I think we just lean in hard and license the Cal Football brand for a handsome fee to a private actor, who can field whatever athletes they want and pay whatever. Cal uses that money to support real college sports
Hopefully we still get Devin Brown and tell Caminong to transfer. Nothing against the guy but I don’t want to see him take Amy ore snaps for us and Jaron needs competition
I think Brown is looking for a realistic opportunity to start right away, which would've been us before Sagapolutele.
What sucks is Sagapolutele likely hits the portal again after next season, at which point the sky is falling again and we're back to square one. Hopefully he can be a freshman phenom that is the difference between some wins and losses so we get the most out of him while he's here. Otherwise I'd rather have Brown, or (moot point) Fernando for 2 two years of solid play while.
I can't tell what kind of a guy JKS is. Easily he looks like a type who would transfer every season. At the same time, he's going way out of his way to come to Cal. Maybe he really wants to be at Cal. I don't know
We were only competing against Mountain West teams until the last minute when Oregon and Georgia offered after his Elite 11 showing. Then he made the last minute change....and then again when realizing his odds of starting early were slim. I'd have to think if a bigger school is in need for some reason next year he'd be gone in an instant. Pure speculation of course, and I don't know anything about him. I'm just expecting the worst from now on.
Caminong obviously wasn't ready against UNLV but he looked like he could be serviceable in 2-3 years given enough practice reps. I'd rather go into 2025 with more than just him, Harris, and a true freshman though.
Agree. He has a nice arm and decent athletic ability. Having him as QB4 and reassessing his growth next year is a sensible move. The position takes time to develop. Lots of good QBs don't see the field until RS Soph years for a reason.
Fernando Mendoza sure as heck did not look sick or act sick in that game he was sidelined. No mask, no distancing.....why would you let a guy with the flu stand, unmasked, at point blank next to anyone on the team? Was he better but could not practice (and so got benched)? The fans and donors deserve a better explanation...or, at the least honesty, about the situation. And, honestly, the whole system should be fixed so that this sort of stuff does not happen. There were people who paid good money to travel and attend that game and Mendoza's BS doomed the outcome.
On the main note...thank you Chandler Rogers for coming to Cal. I thought he gave us a better chance with the RPO and made important contributions in spots. Hope he get more play time at his next stop.
I feel like, a few times in one’s career, you need to make the selfish choice. Fernando felt that playing elsewhere was in his best interest, and apparently decided to prioritize his health for the rest of the season over placating his teammates and Cal fans. The cover story was a little shaky, and I’m not happy about him leaving, but it’s understandable.
Yeah, I kinda get that, but that's also partly how college football is falling apart: the right of the individual to pursue their own money is trumping the interests of the group (i.e. team, university, alumni, collective, fans, media companies, etc.). Dude is getting paid NIL and a scholarship and he somehow has the right to not play the final game of the season in the pursuit of his own selfish interests? And that's somehow OK? There has to be some sort of punitive damage for this sort of thing.
I agree, but we're still not fully in the pay-to-play world yet. I think we should start behaving like it, but there's no legal recourse since they're being paid "endorsements" instead of salaries despite us all understanding that if it quacks like a duck...
I agree that if he's getting paid NIL money, he has the responsibility to play.
didn't want to tank his portal stock getting rekt by smu
Clearly and the OL was a liability, but it's unfair to be paid NIL and scholarship money and then tap out while you are still in the regular season (I would argue bowl games too, but I could have lived with that). If they want to be pros, then you get fined like a pro for these sorts of antics.
And I don't resent Fernando for transferring; I saw it coming....but I lost a whole lot of respect for him over the SMU game. I like JW but allowing such overt charades (or lack there of) was a slap in the face to the Cal fans.
it's possible that the coaches benched him when they knew he was leaving, and the sick story was more convenient for both sides.
but I'm with you, they should have been honest.
That did not happen
Was it Nando’s choice all the way?
"With two scholarship quarterbacks out and one scholarship quarterback in...." Being a 'scholarship' player seems to be largely meaningless today. If you’re scholarship only and without NIL $$$, you’re fair-to-middling.
A scholarship means you were at least good enough to be scouted out of HS. Demanding (a larger) NIL means you're good enough to find consistent time on-field. So we largely agree, I just don't agree with the meaningless part. They're not walk-ons.
Good distinction. Thanks.
Transfer Portal = Unlimited Free Agency for college players. The NCAA HAS to remedy this, and my personal view is the Portal must be tied to college academics/education in some way. The Portal can't just be an "NFL Tryout" system, which is what it has now become... Remember, these players are supposed to be student-athletes. The Portal services only the latter, and this is not right at all. Go Bears Forever!
Or we lean into what it’s been all along. NFL Minor League.
How about we let them decide when they will be students. The scholarship is a transferable voucher for four years full or part time studies at any college they played for . I’m just brainstorming.
Bowlesman80, you are a great contributor to WFC, and yes, FBS is a minor league for The League. But there is a long history of athletes who are also students at FBS schools and we are losing this. The last few years have not emphasized college education, especially for football and basketball (Colorado makes me ill). Here's a brainstorm idea: college athletes play 2 years minimum at 1 FBS/FCS school (redshirt allowed, agents not allowed), then NFL can draft anyone with 2+ years of college experience. Players not drafted can go into the Portal for a 2 year commitment to another school, agents allowed. Emphasis on these athletes getting a degree. This might separate NFL-caliber college players from those who need to earn a degree for a non-NFL career. Just spit balling here, thoughts?
Interesting. I like it. However, what unleashed the flood was not policy, NCAA or otherwise, about amateur college athletics, but court rulings based upon free trade. If I understand rightly, that's why they can Portal like there's no tomorrow.
Your model seems similar to how it is for baseball, where's there's college baseball and minor league, where players can follow either or both paths. Careful, the spitball can get you ejected. LOL
I think Cal (and by extension Furd) needs to just get with the times. There are ways to spin it.
Cal should be a university where everyone goes to be the best at whatever they want to be -- a pipeline to success in the career that you want. Some sports (football, basketball, baseball) lead to a career in that sport. Others don't, and they'll worry more about academics.
Some of the more athletically inclined won't be the brightest academics, but if they're really fucking good at football that's still impressive -- being great at one thing but not another doesn't diminish how they represent the university, their character does. Not to mention, committing to winning in the modern era of football will pay for all our gymnastics & other scholarships so that THOSE kids can come to Cal and take advantage of everything that's offered.
School is important and it's important that whoever comes to Cal is supported academically so they can get their degrees if they don't make it athletically. But school also isn't *everything*. There is a greater social good that can be achieved here.
mrjpark, you wrote "Some of the more athletically inclined won't be the brightest academics, but if they're really fucking good at football that's still impressive -- being great at one thing but not another doesn't diminish how they represent the university, their character does". That is why I proposed for the great athletes a 2 year and out NFL opportunity; and for other players not going to the NFL, a focus on education. I know I don't run either FBS/FCS or the NFL, but as Elvis sang "If I Can Dream..."
Seems like that ship has sailed. I think we just lean in hard and license the Cal Football brand for a handsome fee to a private actor, who can field whatever athletes they want and pay whatever. Cal uses that money to support real college sports
In so many ways, that's what it has already become.
Thank you, Chandler, for your hard work, readiness and strong running. We wish you nothing but the best in your new university and team.
Honestly , he was a pro start to finish.
A man of character and talent. Hope he gets a better situation and I hope we see him succeed elsewhere.
Funny thought. What if Indiana snags him and he makes the QB1 job there? Just sayin’
Thank you Chandler and go knock ‘em out.
😂
Ingrassia would be our 4th and likely final QB, right?
I think so, we still need to portal QB with experience to compete too
Hopefully we still get Devin Brown and tell Caminong to transfer. Nothing against the guy but I don’t want to see him take Amy ore snaps for us and Jaron needs competition
I think Brown is looking for a realistic opportunity to start right away, which would've been us before Sagapolutele.
What sucks is Sagapolutele likely hits the portal again after next season, at which point the sky is falling again and we're back to square one. Hopefully he can be a freshman phenom that is the difference between some wins and losses so we get the most out of him while he's here. Otherwise I'd rather have Brown, or (moot point) Fernando for 2 two years of solid play while.
I can't tell what kind of a guy JKS is. Easily he looks like a type who would transfer every season. At the same time, he's going way out of his way to come to Cal. Maybe he really wants to be at Cal. I don't know
We were only competing against Mountain West teams until the last minute when Oregon and Georgia offered after his Elite 11 showing. Then he made the last minute change....and then again when realizing his odds of starting early were slim. I'd have to think if a bigger school is in need for some reason next year he'd be gone in an instant. Pure speculation of course, and I don't know anything about him. I'm just expecting the worst from now on.
Caminong obviously wasn't ready against UNLV but he looked like he could be serviceable in 2-3 years given enough practice reps. I'd rather go into 2025 with more than just him, Harris, and a true freshman though.
Agree. He has a nice arm and decent athletic ability. Having him as QB4 and reassessing his growth next year is a sensible move. The position takes time to develop. Lots of good QBs don't see the field until RS Soph years for a reason.
Arch Manning rode a bench all this season, but for a few snaps.