Cal football:
Revamped offensive line shows progress
Cal returned to the practice field Monday, a day after getting some rest and fresh off reviewing video of a Saturday scrimmage that coaches said revealed improved play from an offensive line in the midst of an overhaul.
The Bears lost six offensive linemen, who combined for 129 career starts, to graduation or transfer and are searching for three first-time starters to play alongside center Addison Ooms (12 starts) and tackle Patrick Mekari (four starts).
“Me, Kam (Bennett) and Pat are very fluid and comfortable with each other, and we’re trying to get the young guys enveloped into that culture,” said Ooms, who is on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best center. “I feel like we’re coming along great. We have some guys rotating in and some young guys stepping in and picking up the offense.”
Cal’s defense might be accelerating the offensive line’s learning curve since the new 3-4 front presents such a variety of looks during practice.
“In the past, I’ve never even looked past my defensive lineman,” Mekari said. “Now I’m looking at corners and reading safeties. My eyes have been opened to so much more, because of what our defense runs and what Coach (Steve) Greatwood teaches us. …
“We’re still making mistakes, but we’re definitely playing together and giving a lot of effort. Those are huge steps for us.”
The offensive line found a unique way to best the defensive line Monday. The practice ended with the biggest guys on the team trying to catch punts from the JUGS machine.
After Ooms (miss) and Mekari (catch) tied with Chris Palmer (catch) and Rusty Becker (miss) in the shootout format, Jake Curhan brought home the victory for the offense over Chinedu Udeogu in the final round.
New scholarships: Cal is up to 84 of its 85-scholarship limit after rewarding five former walk-ons: defensive back Jacob Anderson, defensive back De’Zhon Grace, fullback Fabiano Hale, running back Patrick Laird and tight end Kyle Wells.
Instead of announcing the new scholarships in front of the entire team, head coach Justin Wilcox had one-on-one meetings with the players.
“They take care of their business off the field and approach it the right way with everything we ask of them academically, socially and athletically. We’re glad to be able to reward those guys,” he said. “… It’s not about us giving something to them. It’s about them earning something.”