Mr. Jonathan Okanes covers the University of California Golden Bears for the Bay Area News Group, of which the Contra Costa Times is a member.

Below are links to the Bay Area News Group, the Contra Costa Times, and Mr. Okanes’ Cal Bear blog.

http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com
http://www.contracostatimes.com/
http://www.ibabuzz.com/beartalk

As a member of the Contra Costa Times, Mr. Okandes has previously covered Stanford football, the San Jose Sharks, Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Warriors; and now Cal.

With the University of Maryland opening their 2009 season at Cal on September 5th, Mr. Okanes graciously answered a few questions from Baltimore Sports and Life.

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Golden Bears enter the 2009 season, ranked 12th in the USA Today National Poll, and with considerable expectations for the season.
In an interview with Baltimore Sports and Life, College Football Analyst Mr. Phil Steele, had the following to say about Cal:
“I have Cal as the #2 team in the Pac 10, and they are my #3 surprise team this year, as I give them a decent shot at knocking of USC in the Pac 10.”
Does Cal believe in their ability to overthrow USC, and compete on a National-level?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “I would say they are believers. But most competitive teams always think they have what it takes this time of year. But there is a sense among the players that there could be something special brewing this season.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “MD was up big on Cal last year, and that forced the Bears into throwing. However, QB Kevin Riley had his game of the year against the Terps with 423 yards, 3 TD’s, and 33 completions. From November 1st through the end of the regular season on December 6th, Riley had a total of 32 completions, and did not play in the Emerald Bowl vs. Miami. Does Riley have a secure grip on the starting QB position?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “I’d say so. Jeff Tedford hasn’t announced it yet, but Riley has taken the overwhelming amount of first team reps at practice. He’s also the only quarterback on the roster who has ever taken a meaningful snap in a game. I would be surprised if it’s anyone but Riley.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “WR Nyan Boateng is a name familiar to MD fans, as he was recruited by the Terps before winding-up at Florida (and later transferring to Cal). Is he expected to further emerge in his Senior year?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “Boateng came here with big expectations because he is a transfer from Florida, and if you are recruited by Florida, there is potential there. I don’t know if people are expecting him to emerge, but I’m sure they are hoping he emeges. He led the team in catches last year with 29 but never became that playmaker Cal fans had hoped he would be. The Bears need some of their receivers to break out this season if they have any hopes of winning the Pac-10.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “RB Jahvid Best rushed for 1,580 yards last year and is regularly mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He loses two starters on the Offensive Line, including 2009 NFL 1st round draft-pick Alex Mack. Can you tell us about the Offensive Line blocking in-front of Best?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “Despite the loss of Mack, the offensive line should be very good. Both tackles — Mike Tepper and Mitchell Schwartz — are considered NFL prospects. New center Chris Guarnero actually started at left guard last year before a season-ending toe injury. And their guards are young but talented. Both Justin Cheadle and Matt Summers-Gavin were big-time high school prospects and are developing nicely.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Golden Bears lead the Pac10 conference with 24 interceptions. Part of the Secondary group returning is All-American CB Syd’Quan Thompson. Are there any other names to know with this group?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “Cal arguably has one of the deepest secondary groups in the nation. Thompson’s counterpart, cornerback Darian Hagan, broke out last season in his first year as a starter and he forms an impressive duo with Thompson. Marcus Ezeff is solid at one safety. The Bears return their other safety, Brett Johnson, but don’t be surprised if redshirt sophomore Sean Cattouse starts getting more reps than him at some point.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The biggest question facing the Terps entering the 2009 season is the strength of their offensive-line. Cal runs a 3-4 defense, with some returning talent on the D-line, but has to regroup at LB. How strong do you think the Front 7 is for Cal?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “It should be very strong once again. They did lose three quality linebackers, but they have all three linemen back. That includes ends Tyson Alualu and Cameron Jordan, each of whom should play in the NFL. And they return linebacker Mike Mohamed, who although he didn’t start last season, actually probably played more than any of their linebackers and was the team’s second-leading tackler. Look out for inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks, a sophomore who will become one of the new starters.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “When Cal played at MD last-year, the Bears had to travel across the country, and deal with humidity, and an early start-time. Has there been talk of looking for revenge against the Terps, or are the Bears looking past a MD team picked to finish 5th in the ACC Atlantic Division?”

Mr. Jonathan Okanes: “They aren’t looking past them at all. Even if there wasn’t the revenge factor, they’d be up for the season-opener on national TV. But they definitely want to turn around what happened last season.”

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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