As we enter the Grambling game, here's how I rate our 2015 Cal Bears
2014 pre season rating in parentheses:
QB Play: A (B+) I see Goff having taken a big step forward and I believe Forest is a better back up than Rubenzer was last year
Running Back Play: A- (B) Lasco is the REAL deal, a special player who has is at the top of his game. Decent group of backups
WR Play: A- (A-) I like the group overall better this year, I think we'll see better blocking and tighter routes. However, we will miss Harper's playmaking ability
Pass Blocking: B (C) Tough to tell how much we've improved given the pass rush they go against. I'm a believer in Jones as our coach and Cochran's upside
Run Blocking: B+ (B) If Cochran can supplant Farley, the grade could improve to an A- as he's not as physical. The other four and Uluave are maulers.
Overall Offense: A (B+) This could be a 45+ points per game team if the OL can get its act together especially in pass protection
DE vs. Pass: C+ (C-) Without Scarlet last year we were a D-/F. More bodies is good, Kragen will help, Barr looks quicker but I don't see a strong pass rush here
DE vs. Run: B (B-) The loss of Scarlet hurts, Wilson is not the same level of athlete but again depth will help. Not big at DE which will hurt us vs. power run teams
DT vs. Pass: C+ (D) Looney is the big win here as well as a healthier Moose. I expect to see some interior penetration and some pockets collapse
DT vs. Run: B (B) This was a relative strength last year. Clark was very good against the run and will be missed but Davis improvement and depth will fill in
LB vs. Pass: B+ (B-) Jefferson's good health and my expectation of Kearney being good to go make this a strong point. Good depth here helps as well
LB vs. Run: B+ (B) Barton and Nickerson are strong run stoppers, ditto for Downs. The loss of Tongilaeva hurts but this is an experienced group
CB vs. Run: C+ (D) Allensworth, Albert and White are bigger and stronger than Dozier and Walker. Lots to prove in terms of their physicality
CB vs. Pass: B- (C-) I see marked improvement in this area. A lot is dependent on the pass rush but if that's decent then this will be our most improved unit
Safety vs. Run: B- (C+) McClure and Drew are both relatively strong hitters and tacklers. Depth behind them is unknown and young kids usually struggle here
Safety vs. Pass: C- (C) Piatt being out hurts, especially on the middle of the field throws. Drew is much quicker in the zone but neither he nor McClure run well
Overall Defense: B- (C-) I think we take a big step forward. A B- is not a good Power 5 grade and likely we finish no better than middle of Pac 12 on YPP
Place Kicking: B- (B-) On par with last year going into the season with perhaps more upside on KOs
Punting: B+ (B+) I thought Leininger would be great last year and he disappointed. I think he takes a step forward with his consistency
Coverage Teams: B- (C) Hard to judge but another year with Tommerdahl and more athletes to choose from leads me to believe we improve here
Leadership: B (C) I like the experience and seniority of the team with clear cut captains. Yet we're missing the hyper competitive fiery personalities
If you want to sweat things, look no further than pass protection, pass rush, overall tackling, safety play and leadership in big games
If you want to focus on the positive, our offense looks LOADED and our defense looks clearly improved.
2014 pre season rating in parentheses:
QB Play: A (B+) I see Goff having taken a big step forward and I believe Forest is a better back up than Rubenzer was last year
Running Back Play: A- (B) Lasco is the REAL deal, a special player who has is at the top of his game. Decent group of backups
WR Play: A- (A-) I like the group overall better this year, I think we'll see better blocking and tighter routes. However, we will miss Harper's playmaking ability
Pass Blocking: B (C) Tough to tell how much we've improved given the pass rush they go against. I'm a believer in Jones as our coach and Cochran's upside
Run Blocking: B+ (B) If Cochran can supplant Farley, the grade could improve to an A- as he's not as physical. The other four and Uluave are maulers.
Overall Offense: A (B+) This could be a 45+ points per game team if the OL can get its act together especially in pass protection
DE vs. Pass: C+ (C-) Without Scarlet last year we were a D-/F. More bodies is good, Kragen will help, Barr looks quicker but I don't see a strong pass rush here
DE vs. Run: B (B-) The loss of Scarlet hurts, Wilson is not the same level of athlete but again depth will help. Not big at DE which will hurt us vs. power run teams
DT vs. Pass: C+ (D) Looney is the big win here as well as a healthier Moose. I expect to see some interior penetration and some pockets collapse
DT vs. Run: B (B) This was a relative strength last year. Clark was very good against the run and will be missed but Davis improvement and depth will fill in
LB vs. Pass: B+ (B-) Jefferson's good health and my expectation of Kearney being good to go make this a strong point. Good depth here helps as well
LB vs. Run: B+ (B) Barton and Nickerson are strong run stoppers, ditto for Downs. The loss of Tongilaeva hurts but this is an experienced group
CB vs. Run: C+ (D) Allensworth, Albert and White are bigger and stronger than Dozier and Walker. Lots to prove in terms of their physicality
CB vs. Pass: B- (C-) I see marked improvement in this area. A lot is dependent on the pass rush but if that's decent then this will be our most improved unit
Safety vs. Run: B- (C+) McClure and Drew are both relatively strong hitters and tacklers. Depth behind them is unknown and young kids usually struggle here
Safety vs. Pass: C- (C) Piatt being out hurts, especially on the middle of the field throws. Drew is much quicker in the zone but neither he nor McClure run well
Overall Defense: B- (C-) I think we take a big step forward. A B- is not a good Power 5 grade and likely we finish no better than middle of Pac 12 on YPP
Place Kicking: B- (B-) On par with last year going into the season with perhaps more upside on KOs
Punting: B+ (B+) I thought Leininger would be great last year and he disappointed. I think he takes a step forward with his consistency
Coverage Teams: B- (C) Hard to judge but another year with Tommerdahl and more athletes to choose from leads me to believe we improve here
Leadership: B (C) I like the experience and seniority of the team with clear cut captains. Yet we're missing the hyper competitive fiery personalities
If you want to sweat things, look no further than pass protection, pass rush, overall tackling, safety play and leadership in big games
If you want to focus on the positive, our offense looks LOADED and our defense looks clearly improved.
