I can see it now: Cal football nation is ready to throw a fit because everyone’s favorite quarterback has sat out two practices this week with a pulled pectoral muscle.

Nate Longshore suffered the injury last Wednesday, felt uncomfortable last Friday and still participated in the Bears’ first workout in full pads last Saturday, according to Bear Talk.

This may be the time for Cal fans to start calling for backup Kevin Riley’s name (like they haven’t already).

But a few things about the quarterback situation first. (Click here to read more…)

Jahvid Best made his sort-of-return to the Cal football team in its first day of spring ball Monday.

That’s pretty good news for a program that just lost what was supposed to be their No. 1 tailback heading into the spring. Best won’t be involved in anything where he can get hit, but he will be participating in individual drills and he’ll be working on his own every now and then.

And Best may be the Bears most prolific weapon next fall after the departure of not just dynamo DeSean Jackson, but receivers Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins and tailback Justin Forsett. Let’s just say that on a team with little star power, Best as the best shot of shining next year.

More tidbits from Cal’s first practice: (Click here to read more…)

It’s March 1. You know what that means? It’s almost time for Spring Ball.

The Cal football team has much to prove. Much to prove. I think Jeff Tedford has much to prove next year. Especially considering the fact that the Bears’ most recent recruiting class isn’t as star-studded or as eye-opening as it was in the past.

And no one should forget that monumental collapse that Cal suffered at the end of last season. An Armed Forces Bowl win over a so-so non-BCS team led by a young, exciting quarterback shouldn’t give Bears fans rose-colored glasses (in more than one sense of the word, if you get my drift).

In ESPN’s little spring prospectus, Cal is coming in as the sixth best team in the Pac-10. That’s a mighty fall for a team that on Oct. 8 of last year was ranked No. 2 in the country. (Click here to read more…)