It’s always interested me that Cal hasn’t had a traditional Spring Game to close out its spring practices in least the four years that I’ve been in Berkeley. Maybe it’s because coach Jeff Tedford doesn’t believe in all the hoopla that surrounds a Spring Game.

Last Saturday was no different.

But what Saturday did give to the Bears was closure on what can be seen as a spring of getting over the past.

A few more notes from Cal’s final spring practice.

Tedford said that Jahvid Best should be back at 100 percent when the squad comes back together in for their fall training camp in August. Best was sidelined by a hip injury late last season and caught most by surprise when he participated in workouts during this spring.

“He did a lot of things in the spring as far as running and cutting, things like that,” Tedford said. He’s feeling really good. So we’d expect that as we get through the summer program, that he’s going to be 100 percent and ready to go.”

Senior defensive end Rulon Davis has noticeably become more vocal during the spring. This comes on the heels of a season where many players on the Bears squad felt that the team lacked leadership.

“He’s much more vocal,” defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said. “He’s really taken charge and trying to get the guys going. He plays with a lot of energy. We talked to all the seniors about and he’s taken to it a little bit.”

The last day of spring ball also coincided with the first day of the NFL Draft, which saw eight offensive lineman go in the first round, and 10 big uglies picked on the first day. Senior center and All-American Alex Mack almost thought about forgoing his senior year and declaring for the draft a year early, something that is usually unheard of for offensive lineman.

But after a good month of spring practice back with Cal, Mack reflected that he wasn’t ready for the next level, at least not yet.

“It was an eye-opener how much technique I needed to work on,” Mack said. So in the spring I really worked a lot on things I needed to, so I know I’ll be a better player in the fall.”

Popularity: 41%