Pac-10 Position Breakdown: Quarterback – Cal Bears
With the departure of long time quarterback Nate Longshore, Cal will now look to turn the page on last season’s awkward two quarterback system that many observers believe affected the chemistry of the Bears offense in 2008. Junior Kevin Riley was part of that two-QB system (along with Longshore), and he went as far as admitting that he did not feel comfortable on the field knowing he could be pulled at any time.
By the numbers, Riley actually played much of last season, starting nine of 11 games, but throughout the season it didn’t ever feel like head coach Jeff Tedford was ready to commit to one guy. Riley finished last year with 1,360 yards passing, throwing 14 TDs and six INTs but had a less than impressive 50.7% completion rate.
Although Riley has faced his fair share of criticism, his talent is undeniable. Most importantly, he has true Pac-10 experience; and looking around the conference, that is a rarity at QB. So far in 2009, all signs point towards Riley being more poised, relaxed and efficient. He has also become a positive presence in the locker room, knowing he no longer has to share the huddle with another experienced QB.
Kevin Riley looks down field
Riley, a former high school Elite 11 QB from Portland, Oregon, finished the spring without wowing too many folks in Berkeley, but he was solid. He finished 7-12 for 74 yards in the team’s final scrimmage before breaking camp for the summer.
Jeff Tedford does not traditionally name a starter until closer to the season starting, so there is no way to tell if Riley will be the guy, but it is fair to say that he is the favorite. With a potential top 10 team around him, and the best running back in the Pac-10 (Jahvid Best) getting most of the attention from opposing defenses, all Riley has to do is be serviceable. If he is, the Bears can compete for the conference title.
While Riley is likely to start the season as Cal’s QB, don’t tell that to sophomore Brock Mansion. Besides possessing one of the coolest names in the Pac-10, the imposing 6-5 237 pound Texan is a bona fide QB in his own right.
Mansion did not look like he would factor into to the starting battle after the first three weeks of spring practice. He struggled with consistency, and sometimes looked lost trying to manage Tedford’s famously intimidating playbook. But as each scrimmage passed, Mansion improved dramatically. He credits his improvement to staying after practice and throwing extra balls.
Mansion ended the spring on fire, matching Riley stride for stride. In his last scrimmage, Mansion went 9-11 for 94 yards and a TD with one pick. He led the Bears offense on an efficient 70-yard scoring drive that day, going 5-5 in the process. It was a fitting way to end the spring given his constant improvement. At the very least, Tedford now knows he has a capable backup.
Mansion was a super recruit in 2006, and has the strongest arm of any QB on the roster. What’s more impressive is how well he can run for a guy his size. Back in high school he had a season where he ran for 989 yards and nine scores. After redshirting last season, Mansion has a full career ahead of him at Cal.
The other QB that could factor in for the Bears is redshirt freshman Beau Sweeney. The 6-2 Sweeney from Fresno, CA is not nearly as far along as Riley or Mansion, but he has a good feel for the offense and is the most mobile of all the QB’s. Rounding out the QB’s is highly touted true freshman Allen Bridgford. Bridgford is far too green to mention in this year’s QB battle, but the 6-3 standout from Mission Viejo High in California has prototypical size and is an excellent prospect for the future.
My Take
Kevin Riley does not have to be former Bears QB’s Aaron Rodgers or Kyle Boller. He doesn’t even have to be the Kevin Riley from 2007, when he was torching Oregon State and Air Force in his first two career games. All he has to do is be more efficient than he was last year.
I believe this Cal team can compete for a Rose Bowl, but they aren’t going to come close if Riley completes less than half of his passes. If he can be around 60% and not turn the ball over, the RB duo of Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen will do the rest. If Riley is miserable, Mansion seems to have the confidence and ability to take over, but I think Tedford would rather avoid that messy situation this year.
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