--Quarterback Nate Longshore missed the final three weeks of spring drills with a pulled right pectoral muscle just when the starting battle was heating up. Cal coach Jeff Tedford said the injury won't affect his mindset on a player with 26 career starts, but Kevin Riley and Brock Mansion did make their mark.

--Linebacker Zack Follett is being looked upon to make plays and to be the vocal and on-field leader after a year of internal distractions. He's already taking the role seriously, and others are following. Follett is a good one to lead after making 64 tackles, 12.5 for losses and 5.5 sacks a year ago.

SPRING MOVERS

TB Tracy Slocum -- The sophomore tailback made sure he was going to be in the discussion for a starting job when the Bears get together in August for their opener against Michigan State. His style is to not back off from contact, and he has a habit of running between the tackles.

QB Kevin Riley -- The Bears' starting quarterback for the Armed Services Bowl victory with three touchdown passes started out very inconsistent but regained his form to put him in solid contention to compete with Nate Longshore for the everyday duties. Riley adds mobility that brings extras to the offensive package.

DE Ernest Owusu -- The defensive end had five sacks in the first formal scrimmage of the spring and never stopped making plays. Look for his name to be called over and over again; the Bears are looking for more physical guys up front.

DE Rulon Davis -- He's taking charge with one of the more impressive springs, showing leadership skills, making plays behind the line of scrimmage and becoming a more aggressive player after having just 16 tackles in '07.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"(Tedford) is not putting up with any BS. He's making sure there are no star attitudes." -- Cal linebacker Zack Follett, talking with the Contra Costa Times about the attitude of the squad after a rough second half in 2007.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.