Figured I'd do a little something like this informally, going through every spot. A note before this, just because they're standing out doesn't make them the starter at the spot.
QB:
My choice here is Jack Newman, partially because I've found his arm strength impressive, but also because of his attitude in the post-practice interview on Friday. Good quarterbacks usually have a certain confident quality to them and Newman has it. There's still work to do with him, he's a bit raw still and Garbers has looked like the most accurate of the three, but Newman's had a few throws on the money that have been impressive, as has Modster.
RB:
I'd probably have to give this one to Chris Brown, he looks faster than he was at the end of last year, but without pads for half the week, it has been hard to tell who stands out here. He's a solid pass-catcher as well, and one particular run Saturday, where he cut back across the field and got upfield for 20 yards really caught my eye.
WR:
Monroe Young, as his routes are more crisp and he got behind Cam Bynum on a 60 yard score yesterday. With Cal's need for wide receivers apparent, Young is ahead of schedule.
TE:
McCallan Castles. Not a big group, but Castles stands out for his impact as a receiver. Still has strides to make as a blocker, but he'll get there. 1 on 1s against smaller safeties is where his growth is apparent, he's gonna make things easier for whichever QB ends up starting
OL:
Matt Cindric, working both at C and RG. At one point yesterday, he put Evan Weaver on his back. That doesn't happen often.
DL:
Zeandae Johnson, again tough to tell with not too much in the way of full pads, but he cuts an impressive figure while on the field. His legs look absolutely massive, something he'll need as he's penciled in as a starter along with Bequette
OLB:
Nick Alftin, using his length to bat down passes and starting to figure out the coverage side of things. Also, one of the most enthusiastic players you'll see
ILB:
A lot of people would say Kuony Deng, and I'd agree, since he's a force, but Colt Doughty has been with the first group without looking out of place. He has been in the right place at the right time a lot in the early going, an improvement from last year at this time
CB and S
Pick one. They've all been excellent (Bynum, Hicks, Drayden, Beck, Branden Smith, Humphries, A. Davis, Hawkins, D. Scott, T. Turner). Only bad thing is that Anusiem is hurt
Week two starts tomorrow morning
QB:
My choice here is Jack Newman, partially because I've found his arm strength impressive, but also because of his attitude in the post-practice interview on Friday. Good quarterbacks usually have a certain confident quality to them and Newman has it. There's still work to do with him, he's a bit raw still and Garbers has looked like the most accurate of the three, but Newman's had a few throws on the money that have been impressive, as has Modster.
RB:
I'd probably have to give this one to Chris Brown, he looks faster than he was at the end of last year, but without pads for half the week, it has been hard to tell who stands out here. He's a solid pass-catcher as well, and one particular run Saturday, where he cut back across the field and got upfield for 20 yards really caught my eye.
WR:
Monroe Young, as his routes are more crisp and he got behind Cam Bynum on a 60 yard score yesterday. With Cal's need for wide receivers apparent, Young is ahead of schedule.
TE:
McCallan Castles. Not a big group, but Castles stands out for his impact as a receiver. Still has strides to make as a blocker, but he'll get there. 1 on 1s against smaller safeties is where his growth is apparent, he's gonna make things easier for whichever QB ends up starting
OL:
Matt Cindric, working both at C and RG. At one point yesterday, he put Evan Weaver on his back. That doesn't happen often.
DL:
Zeandae Johnson, again tough to tell with not too much in the way of full pads, but he cuts an impressive figure while on the field. His legs look absolutely massive, something he'll need as he's penciled in as a starter along with Bequette
OLB:
Nick Alftin, using his length to bat down passes and starting to figure out the coverage side of things. Also, one of the most enthusiastic players you'll see
ILB:
A lot of people would say Kuony Deng, and I'd agree, since he's a force, but Colt Doughty has been with the first group without looking out of place. He has been in the right place at the right time a lot in the early going, an improvement from last year at this time
CB and S
Pick one. They've all been excellent (Bynum, Hicks, Drayden, Beck, Branden Smith, Humphries, A. Davis, Hawkins, D. Scott, T. Turner). Only bad thing is that Anusiem is hurt
Week two starts tomorrow morning
