45 Comments
Dec 22, 2021·edited Dec 22, 2021

Avi just tweeted Cal's season is over.

Tough to see the Cal machine being able to pull something like this off....this is not an Athletic Department or University that can think outside the box, which is needed in situations like this.

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Too bad, I texted my son "Covid taketh and Covid giveth" - but not to be.

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Probably still true but just not for us.

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Darn, missed the chance for a 2nd covid outbreak.

Unfortunately don't think the risk-benefit works out on a lot of levels here.

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Dec 23, 2021·edited Dec 23, 2021

I hear ya...maybe it's just my resignation to the dreadfully slow and inept Cal bureaucratic machine, but even in a world without COVID, mobilizing a cross-country trip for a football traveling party on a weeks notice seems like a total non-starter.....at least for Cal.

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I think the hard part would be getting all the kids back in a timely manner and being able to practice a bit and try to get in some game shape.

But could you imagine if this were for the Sun Bowl…

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Oh man, I’d be en route to El Paso as soon as the press release dropped...

I’d be looking for that whirlin’ Felina in Rose’s Cantina.....

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A rematch with WSU in the Sun Bowl sounds great.

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Not surprised. I am sure even if Wilcox was for it (not saying that he was) the University bureaucracy would not have been able to respond in time. Plus the logistical issues, travel for the team and getting everyone to Florida would have been tough. Oh well. No storybook ending I guess...

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LOL. Don't think it would have been a storybook ending. It would have been the Arizona game to the power of 10 with all of the player opt outs. The lack of the Cal machine to mobilize quickly just saved everyone from a ton of embarrassment. If it's Illinois, let them get embarrassed. Illinois' last game was on Nov. 27. But just noticed that Illinois had a great second half, beating No. 7 Penn State, No. 20 Minnesota and Northwestern. Maybe they won't get embarrassed.....

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Northwestern was terrible this season.

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If Cal had taken down two Top 20 teams and finished with a 5-7 record, I would not feel as bad about the season. Just sayin.

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Best reason not to play in the Gator bowl: as Cal has a reputation for improving as the season progresses, we should hold out for a cancellation in the CFP!

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Nice to think about, but Wake is a pretty good team that would probably wipe the floor with a Cal team that would not have time to get properly prepared and conditioned. Plus some of the guys who have already opted out of 2022 in a Bears uniform- Remigio, Tonges, Mettaur, Brooks, Teves - would likely say no thanks. I mean, once you say you're out, you're out. Could be an embarrassment if they play with a depleted roster. Who wants to watch another game like Arizona? If offered, Cal would probably be smart to say no thanks.

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Disagree with you. If Cal can play, we should do it. Experience & PT for our younger players. Will whip any opponent.

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Dec 22, 2021·edited Dec 22, 2021

Regardless of the grad transfers, Chase going pro etc., athletes want to compete. I see this as a great opportunity for young guys to get some experience (Millner) and some extra development time. I'd like to see who will fill in for Daltoso and McKade, even if we get our asses handed to us. Heck yeah, play the game Bears!!

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As a fan, it’d be nice to see our team get one more shot to display one of their good games to end this ambiguous season on a good note. It just seemed incomplete and unsatisfying to me.

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So it's a Schrodinger's Bowl?

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Interesting. I wonder if Chase would be eligible ~ has he already declared? Would be great for the lads to get more practice time in, good for development.

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Players are allowed a one time opportunity to reconsider and resume intercollegiate participation after declaring, and have up until 72 hours after the draft declaration deadline (which is Jan 17) to do so. Feasibly he should be able to resume NCAA now and then re-file for the draft again before the deadline (I don't see any rules limiting re-filing in the same year).

If this were to happen, get your popcorn because maybe, just maybe Chase realizes his draft prospects and thinks, "hmm, I think I'll just stay another year."

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No player can enter the NFL for the first time without going through the draft. If undrafted, they can enter free agency.

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Very intriguing if true. Sounds like the players already know about it. Storybook ending to a Covid-troubled season?

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T is a lottery pick if not number one. Chase is not.

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FYI - You can edit posts now and dont need to delete and re-post. Click on the three little dots next to "Delete" and see the Edit Comment option.

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Not sure what his draft stock will be at this point, most likely very late round or UFA

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We've gotta show Bob R, aka GoBears49, aka deleted, this new Edit feature.

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(It would only be your own posts, of course). I can see them on all of mine.

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You can't sign with NFL team unless you go through the draft. You can become UFA if no one drafts you, but you still have to enter the draft and make yourself eligibile.

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It makes perfect sense. If the players are not required to make themselves eligible for the draft, then the players can sign with any team they want, and that destroys the whole draft system.

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Of course you can sign with any team if no one drafts you. You become UFA immediately following the end of NFL draft. But you cannot turn down being in the draft and sign with any team you want.

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I’m sure Cal would be more attractive to the alternative, which is no bowl game at all.

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Yeah, If anything I could see Wilcox opposing the game. They'd have what, like 3 days to prepare?

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Game is on the 31st. But they played their last game on December 4th, which is only 18 days ago, almost like a bye. But agree he might oppose it. Probably the tough thing is navigating the university and COB, which might pop up again to foil Cal Athletics.

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Except you practice both the weeks before and after a bye. If this were to happen, the players would probably return and have practice on the 27th, 28th, and 29th., and travel on the 30th. So that's 3 full weeks off on vacation (in which you thought either your season or career was over), before getting in only 3 days of practice, to go play a team that's been practicing the whole time.

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Dec 22, 2021·edited Dec 22, 2021

I would almost prefer Garbers and other graduating players not play and get some of the younger players some playing time and experience.

Edit: with that said I would welcome any and all seniors who are graduating and want to play the opportunity to play one last time in the Mighty Blue and Gold.

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I would love to see Millner play

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Think about how poorly this team has performed when on short notice or with players out since 2020. I would expect this to be an atrocious game if played. But I'm more than happy to be pleasantly surprised..

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Hard agree. Playing and winning is a great fantasy, but playing without Chase and without practice could be a disaster. A “fitting” end to the ongoing COVID era, but in the worst way. Will save a soft spot for the fairy tale ending though… would be sweet.

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Dec 22, 2021·edited Dec 22, 2021

That would be the right decision if Garbers was assured he was getting drafted. He is neither assured, nor is he even likely to be. So he could stand to take advantage of any and every opportunity for a stage to improve his stock. He has everything to gain and nothing to lose.

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Potential injury would be something to consider and a major injury would kill any chance he has of getting drafted.

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He's not getting drafted as is. I think the risk/reward here would favor him playing.

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I mostly agree but stranger things have happened.

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Not sure about that. A shot to go out as a winner in a bowl game would be hard to pass up. Since the game is on the 31st it technically would be this season and not next season. Depends on the rules I suppose.

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disagree as if he plays well it’ll increase his draft stock

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