44 Comments

Mendoza played well but I don’t think he played well enough just to hand him the job next year with no competition.

Seems like the coaching staff agrees.

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Glad to hear this, certainly need depth at the QB position. I have concerns about Mendoza's durability. Heck, he could hide behind a flag pole.

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Hopefully J’Mori Maclin hitches a ride with him from Denton…

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David Reese is returning next season!! Hunter is undecided but has a chance to return as well.

https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/reese-hunter-plans

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Found this comment positive and good to hear: ‘…If you look at their facilities they want for nothing which is huge…’

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What does he mean by "They want for nothing"

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It means we have everything we need.

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Cool. Thank you. Learned something new today.

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Glad to have another Ro[d]gers at QB. His numbers look great, but against rather meh AAC competition.

Mendoza's stats aren't as good, but he faced MUCH tougher defenses. His poise, demeanor, and ability to read defenses are impressive. The bowl game will be Mendoza's eighth start, so he'll have plenty of film to analyze what he's done right in his young career, and what he can improve on. I have no doubt he will continue to improve through the off-season and into Spring ball. I'm excited to see what he can do in his second season as QB1.

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Having two solid candidates at qb is a good problem to have.

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Players get hurt. The more depth and competition makes everyone better.

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We will have 3 including the FR recruit that's coming in next year. But agreed, we need 1 or 2 more.

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And what does that have to do with me?

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Maybe you should post something that's interesting and you might get a response.

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You can look at the depth chart and see exactly who is playing this Friday.

Oh BTW you can also look at my response to your other comment. I listed out who the #2 and #3 QBs are for you.

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Dec 12, 2023Liked by Piotr Le

wtf are you even yelling about? Let me guess, you want this site to provide YOU and mostly just you a detailed column based on ACC rumors. Did I get that right?

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I think there's a few transfer QBs still in the wings, plus there can be players at other positions that have QB experience. That being said, yeah, one more with starter potential would be good.

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I really am baffled about the QB starter still a question. I understand we need a backup QB, but I would like Wilcox and crew to commit to Mendoza. I think he can develop into a great QB and he brings excitement and honestly hope and joy for the future... omit to Mendoza and get him the reps in spring ball a starter would get instead of a 3rd string as he did this season.

Am I the only one worried about Rogers arrival and expectations?

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Why? Mendoza just needs to win. Purposefully recruiting lower level QBs just to make him feel more confident as the starter is asinine. You bring in the best people you can, and the best man starts.

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Thank you for providing more insight. I enjoy being able to have a dialog about my Bears! So when I ask questions, I’m not judging, rather wanting to understand better. I’m a big football fan, but having never played the sport, there are many parts of the game I’m not aware of.

Also, it’s me as a very long time Bear fan being very sensitive to the ups and many downs with being said Cal football fan. And this transfer portal freaks me out. It can be good for Cal, but also bad...

Other questions: I too get nervous about Ott leaving since he is sooo good. Do you think he is good with not knowing for sure who he’ll be working with at QB? They like to trust that QB-RB link is there right? I thought Mendoza stepped up big time when he had the fewest practice reps this year. More practice reps improves QB and the RB/TB/WR/TE right?

I do notice Mendoza gets his passes tipped a lot - resulting in more picks. I would imagine that is a big focus for Mendoza to work on.

Also, I am so glad Ott is staying, how much say do you think he gets in the QB? Man he is exciting to watch! And do we know why he is so loyal to Cal? It is refreshing to see that in both Ott and Mendoza. I have to keep reminding myself that they have this team/college commitment that is missing in college football these days...

I really am excited to see Mendoza, Ott, Cade, Reese, etc on Saturday...Go Bears! Burn the Bayou! 💙🏈💛🐻💙🔥💛🪓💙

P.s. sorry for previous comment typos...my iPad touchscreen is not working very well, and I type so fast I don’t see the typos...my bad for not proofreading before hitting send. I can’t curtail my excitement in having a dialog with other Bear fans who understands the trials and tribulations of being a long time fan...

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Dec 12, 2023·edited Dec 12, 2023

Mendoza is the starter going into next season. But there will always be competition. Competition will make him better, and if anyone beats out Mendoza, then he should start. Ott is completely fine with that.

That said, we'll have to wait until after the Bowl game to see if more starters will enter the transfer portal, including Ott. I really hope he won't.

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Rogers will be Cal’s starting QB next season

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Why do you say that so confidently? It’s inquiring minds want to know!

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Can't argue with 8 number one hits on your self titled album

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😂

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Mendoza will welcome the competition. He's not one to let something like this ding his confidence. He'll be fine.

And y'know, if he gets jumped in the depth chart it'll be for one year and he'll be a rising junior starter.

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Redshirt Sophomore this year.

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Nando was a R-Fr this year https://calbears.com/sports/football/roster/fernando-mendoza/22416

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I meant next year. Thanks.

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True. He is humble as well as confident. Love this kid really!

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I’m glad CAL has a backup but Mendoza is a good quarterback and deserves to be number one.

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This is division 1 football, nobody deserves any starting spot and no staff would ever think that way. Every team in the country tries to upgrade every position on the team every year. Mendoza showed flashes but if there is a QB who the staff thinks can win more games, it’s their obligation to recruit that player and let them compete for the starting spot.

Alabama benched Jalen Hurts in the national championship game (his second straight as a starter). If our coaches think Mendoza has done enough to not have his starting spot questioned they need to be immediately fired and never coach at any level again.

It’s harsh but that’s how it works.

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Finley is suiting up this Friday as #2. Brummei is #3. Jackson is not, but he is injured.

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I won’t mind to have more depth in the qb room. Remember Bama in 2018 had 3 future NFL starters (Tua, Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones)

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Sounds like a good pickup!

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I’m glad we have some depth but curious why he didn’t come last season when we were recruiting him? Especially now that QB1 seems solidified

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Jan 19·edited Jan 19

In this video (recorded leading up to his season with UNT) podcast, at 24:15 he talks about why he didn’t select Cal. Cost of living, basically. This time around I’m sure the NIL offer was way better, considering his excellent season/stats. The guy really knows his X’s and O’s too (see 20:40 in the video): https://youtu.be/24VaKRcVYAY?si=LP580XdqV79TVNWd

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I’m sure he believes he has a shot at QB1. Maybe he does?

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Jan 19·edited Jan 19

I think he absolutely does. I came away from watching the video (linked in my related post) thinking this young man is really on-point/has a pretty sophisticated, yet intuitive, understanding of how to pick apart a defense.

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If he becomes the #1 then I'm sure Mendoza will go in the portal and end up in Miami which his home town. I'm sure this new guy doesn't want to be a back up. I really like Mendoza's intelligence, arm, pocket awareness, and his height which makes him able to see over tall linemen for passes in the middle of the field. And, he's got 3 more years of eligibility. KEEP him as the #1!!

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Dec 12, 2023Liked by Piotr Le

Mendoza won't leave Cal for Miami. He's genuinely here for the degree. Remember, he was committed to Yale before and they don't even offer athletic scholarships.

He is a confident guy who outcompeted two higher-ranked QBs last year. He earned the spot and wants to keep earning it by getting better.

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He won't leave for the portal. And if he gets jumped on the depth chart, it'll only be for one year.

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Agreed.

Also he is pretty mobile in the RPO and can really sling it

He may end up being an NFL caliber quarterback with continued development.

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Welcome to Cal! Go bears!

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