NFL Draft

Jeff Teford may experience a sense of insult being added to injury when he watches the NFL draft unfold in April. The teams 5-0 start and subsequent meltdown are going to be painfully remembered when people look back at the tremendous talent on last years team. Despite graduating only six starters, the Bears may have as many as eight players picked in the six round draft next month. After yesterday's pro day in Berkeley, it seems likely that at least five Cal players will hear their names called during the draft. DeSean Jackson cemented his first round status catching everything thrown his way during the workout while getting effusive praise from his new mentor, Jerry Rice (BTW, Where the hell was Rice when DeSean was running the wrong routes and fearing any pattern over the middle?). Lavelle Hawkins erased doubts about his speed running a 4.48 40 yesterday while the third amigo Robert Jordan ran a 4.44. Hawkins could go as high as the 2nd and likely won't last past the fourth round. Jordan will be at best a second day pick and may get signed as a Free Agent.

Justin Forsett doesn't have great measurables as his 40 was a 4.56, but his first 20 yards are as quick as any back around and few play with as much heart. He'll join Jordan as a FA signee or a late round pick around almost certain draftees Craig Stevens, Thomas DeCoud and Mike Gibson. Andrew Larsen rounds out the Bears NFL prospects.

When Cal was 5-0 and DeSean was giving interviews on ESPN Gameday, sending this large of the group to the NFL not only seemed possible but likely. But then came the death spiral the second half of the year. One clear cut observation is that from the group of seniors above, none but Forsett came close to being a positive leader for the team. Stevens disappointed on the field, blocking poorly in short yardage situations and never was a factor on passing downs. His quiet, low key personality was a non factor off the field DeCoud ran hot and cold and was never the rallying point he needed to be for a defense that lost its heart down the stretch. Despite having one of the more outgoing personalities on the team, Hawkins dropped too many critical balls (Big Game anyone) and seemed to be too busy cracking up his teammates to give them a kick in the pants. Jackson will be remembered as a wonderful talent whose value as a teammate decreased as adversity (or the failing of Cal's offense to get him the ball) increased.

Going into Spring practice, Tedford and next years crop of seniors are all saying the right things about leadership, but until Cal finds players who are willing to lead by example BOTH on the field and in the locker room a repeat of last years meltdown is a possibility.