Cal names starting QB

[Russ Smith]

If published reports are true, Tedford surprised everyone and named Joe Ayoob the starter over Nate Longshore.

Supposed to be an official announcement later today or tomorrow but apparently a couple of Bear players were interviewed on radio and let slip Ayoob is the starter.

Hope he got a lot better in the offseason.

 

[Dback Jon]

I need him to have a good game, and beat UT.

 

[devilfan02]

Ayoob is SO bad! I can't believe this. The games I saw last year, Ayoob looked horrendous. Won't matter for ASU, Ayoob will stink it up and Longshore will be the starter by 9/23.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Well, the rest of the conference owes Jeff Tedford a resounding thank you. In 2005 Booya was easily the worst QB in the Pac10 not named Richard Kovalchek or Matt Moore (and that's debatable considering the rushing attack, O-line, and defense Ayoob had compared to the other two guys) and was probably the reason they didn't win 10 games. The guy was terrible and lost his job halfway through the season, not sure how he will rebound enough to win in Knoxville let alone the Pac-10 which should have been Cal's this year with good QB play.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm hoping it's a bad rumor but it's on radio too. Everyone is talking about Don Nelson's return so it's not a major story today but I'm with mao this is a favor to the rest of the conference unless there's some lingering injury situation with Longshore I'm not aware of.

The only thing I can think is that he thinks Ayoob fits the new modified offense better because he can run but frankly with Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett I don't think running ability at QB is all that critical.

Apparently Lynch let it slip in an interview with ESPN. The rumor is Longshore's back problems flared up again so this may be a case of Ayoob by attrition not outright winning the job. Levy is suspended for the opener due to a bar fight so it could be just Ayoob for the first game.

 

[devilfan02]

It's true. Don Nelson took over at GS and they bought Montgomery out for $10 million. He'll be back at Stanford in a year

 

[Russ Smith]

It's true. Don Nelson took over at GS and they bought Montgomery out for $10 million. He'll be back at Stanford in a year

Or Oregon, at least that's a Bay area rumor now that they might replace Kent with Monty.

 

[Russ Smith]

FYI turns out Lynch was either joking or misinformed, Tedford did in fact name Longshore, NOT Ayoob, as the starter. Apparently Longshore's back is improving.

That loud WHEW sound you hear is all Cal fans breathing a sigh of relief that it's not Ayoob starting!

 

[Dback Jon]

FYI turns out Lynch was either joking or misinformed, Tedford did in fact name Longshore, NOT Ayoob, as the starter. Apparently Longshore's back is improving.

That loud WHEW sound you hear is all Cal fans breathing a sigh of relief that it's not Ayoob starting!

Fun times.

Game Saturday is going to be very interesting. Has David Cutcliffe righted the Vol's ship? Will Erik Ainge be afraid of his shadow? Are the Vols showing focus this season?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Just confirms what the rest of the country is aware of - Tedford knows what he's doing.

 

[Southpaw]

What are my chances Russ. I picked Cal over Tennessee with the points. U T, to me is the most over rated " good " team in the NCAA. Fulmer recruits ( cheats ) has great talent, and is on the hot seat.

What do I know I picked Ga Tech over Notre Dame with the points. Gotta seperate from the pack with this ASFN contest.

 

[Russ Smith]

What are my chances Russ. I picked Cal over Tennessee with the points. U T, to me is the most over rated " good " team in the NCAA. Fulmer recruits ( cheats ) has great talent, and is on the hot seat.

What do I know I picked Ga Tech over Notre Dame with the points. Gotta seperate from the pack with this ASFN contest.

Problem is Cal is really hard to read. Nobody's really seen Longshore he got hurt in the first half of the first game last year. The OL is quite new, lost 3 starters and a 4th retired after knee surgery, and then came back when it healed well. The spread added to the base offense is still new.

I think if this game is played in 6 weeks Cal wins easily, but played Saturday I gotta admit I've got some nerves that Cal may lay an egg.

UT always has talent but I think Cal's defense is much better than people realize I look for Brandon Mebane the DT to have a fabulous year after playing most of last year on a bad ankle. he's a 300 pounder that draws a lot of doubles and is very strong up front, many consider him the best pro prospect in the Pac 10 although personally I don't even think he's as good a prospect as Lynch or DeSean jackson on his own team(RB and WR). there are many people in the Bay Area saying Cal has a top 5 defense, possibly the best overall although losing CB Tim Mixon for the year will hurt(great punt returner too).

 

[Russ Smith]

Ugh, worst game of the Tedford era at Cal, OL was awful, defense pathetic in the 2nd half, both QB's stink, Longshore played like a scared rabbit, Ayoob is Ayoob, he makes throws that make him look like an all american, and then misses the next 3 passes by a mile. When the QB's did get the ball there, the WR's dropped it.

UT looks a lot better this year, great speed on defense, but Cal looks awful, boy is Lee Corso looking bad now he picked them to go unbeaten and win the national title.

Brutal.