This is Part 2 in a two-part series of Q&A with Sandy Barbour, LB Coach Kenwick Thompson, and recruiting reporter Jim McGill.  For those who missed Part 1 of the recap, click here.

Part 1 started off with an overview of the recruiting process, whereas Part 2 shifted to questions asked about specific recruits including one of the best player-by-player reviews of each recruit that you'll get anywhere heading into spring and summer workouts.  Both Jim McGill and Coach Thompson gave insights into the newest members of the family, and position battles in the near future.

Recruit question #1:  How does the class of 2011 compare to previous classes in the Tedford era?

McGill's response:  This is the best class, to a man, since the class of 2005.  The class of 2007 had a lot of promise, but never quite materialized.  This is the first year that, across the board, there are guys who can step in right away and compete.

Coach Thompson's response:  Our approach this year, in addition to targeting the right kids, was to target kids who could play right away because of our immediate needs at certain positions.  In contrast to other years where we’ve gone after guys who we could mold and develop, we went after guys who were maybe a few months away from making significant contributions.


Recruit quesiton #2:  Can you give us a breakdown of each of the incoming recruits, from your standpoint, and how far away each one is from readiness to see the field?
Answers by Coach Thompson, by position (most of the observations and subjective comments are his, unless in parenthesis):

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Last night, on February 8th,  Bear Insider hosted their annual recruiting event presentation in Los Angeles, and I was on hand to make sure CGB was represented.  The event was about hearing Sandy Barbour, LB Coach Kenwick Thompson, and Jim McGill (BI’s recruiting reporter) talk about the greatness that was this year’s recruiting class.  This is Part I in a two part series of Q&A that I'll post.

I was all prepared to ask Sandy some tough questions before I realized it was going to cost me $30 (remember that next time you’re buying beers, Avi). Still, I made the trek to Mountaingate Country Club nonetheless.  Ok, so the country club alone was pretty cool, its not every day I get to hang out at one of these….several double-breasted suits were running around, and a lot of Old Blues were in attendance.  

As I talked to people before the session got started, I realized there are a LOT of lawyers among us!  My first impression was, wow these people must be pretty important, and I tried to rub elbows as much as I could in between bites of gourmet sliders and cheeses (had to eat my $30 worth).  It dawned on me that this is how recruits must feel when they’re courted by a school.  Ah yes!  That’s why I was here wasn’t it?

Ok, seriously I’m going to get to the point sooner or later.  I tightened up the balls, and sat down for what would become 3 hours of awesomeness hearing about Cal recruiting.

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I wanted to bump this back up to the top.  I've collected several questions from our CGB faithful for my upcoming discussion with former Cal kicker Tyler Frederickson.  Fredrickson, as you might remember, saved his best effort for his senior campaign, kicking the game-winning field goals both during the 2003 OT win over USC, and the bowl game winning field goal with time running out to beat Virginia Tech.

Here are the questions I've compiled.  Now that the USC game has come and gone, you might have more questions to add to the list.  I'm going to keep accepting new questions until Thursday noon, so please add your comments below.  Thanks!

1.  Given our recent woes in the kicking game, how much of a temptation has it been for you to re-register as a student at Cal under a pseudonym, suit up, and get out on the field and nail some game-winning kicks? I suggest wearing one of those fake mustaches, too. You know, in case the NCAA gets suspicious.

2. Do you talk to any current Cal players?  In specific, the kickers?

3.  Do you still keep in touch with the former Cal players from your era? 

4.  What goes through your mind, generally, when you were about to do a kick?

5.  What were you thinking during the winning kick in USC 2003?

6.  What were you thinking during the winning kick in Insight Bowl 2003?

7.  What first got you interested in kicking?

8.  What was the kicking practice like?

9.  What made you choose Cal over other available schools?

10.  Ryan Longwell and Robbie Keen preceded you at Cal as dual purpose kickers (placekicking/kickoffs and punting). Why do you think we don’t see very many dual purpose kickers anymore?

11.  What’s the biggest difference between kicking in practice and kicking in a game – is it more mental (pressure) or is it more the environment (fans, noise, other team, etc.)?

12.  Were you ever the last man between a kick returner and the end zone? What went through your head then?

13.  What is your favorite football memory from Cal? (I can’t imagine it would be anything other than USC 03, but might as well ask)

14.  What did you like most about Cal outside of football?

15.  Is the team clique-y off the field? Do all the kickers hang out together?

16.  What was the best class you took at Cal and why?

17.  Do you feel that academics are paid enough attention to by the team?

18.  Do you/did you have any other friends who played football at the D1A level? How did their experiences relate to yours?

19.  So we heard some female gave you a big french kiss after the USC game. Please tell us more details. What other odd/nice/bad things have people done to you because you were the Cal kicker?

20.  What do you think of when an opposing coach calls a TO to ice you? Does it make you more nervous or does it make you more determined or does it not matter?

JO posted an updated depth chart last night, following the Saturday practice and Fan Appreciation Day.  I'll post the chart here, and then discuss some thoughts and observations after the jump.

OFFENSE

QB: Kevin Riley, Brock Mansion, Beau Sweeney

TB: Jahvid Best, Shane Vereen

FB: Brian Holley, Will Kapp

WR: Marvin Jones, Nyan Boateng

LT: Mike Tepper, Donovan Edwards

LG: Matt Summers-Gavin, Mark Boskovich

C: Chris Guarnero, Dominic Galas

RG: Justin Cheadle, Chet Teofilo

RT: Mitchell Schwartz, Donovan Edwards

TE: Anthony Miller, Skylar Curran, Spencer Ladner, Jarrett Sparks

WR: Verran Tucker, Jeremy Ross

DEFENSE

DE: Tyson Alualu, Trevor Guyton

NG: Derrick Hill, Kendrick Payne

DE: Cameron Jordan, Ernest Owusu

OLB: Eddie Young, Charles Johnson

ILB: D.J. Holt, Jerome Meadows

ILB: Mychal Kendricks, Devin Bishop

OLB: Mike Mohamed, Keith Browner

CB: Syd’Quan Thompson, Bryant Nnabuife

S: Marcus Ezeff, Sean Cattouse

S: Brett Johnson, Jesse Brooks

CB: Darian Hagan, Josh Hill

SPECIALISTS

P: Bryan Anger

PK: Giorgio Tavecchio

LS: Matt Rios

HOLDER: Brock Mansion, Bryan Anger

PR: Syd’Quan Thompson, Shane Vereen

KR: Jahvid Best, Jeremy Ross

Now, time for observations....

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Every year, over 30 awards are given out to college football athletes.  Sure everyone knows the Heisman Trophy.  Walter Camp Award?  Ok.  Dick Butkis Award for the best linebacker?  Yeah I remember that one too.  What about the Ted Hendricks Award?  Got any ideas?  If you guessed "defensive end of the year", you're right.  I think the last several years, Cal fans have had some good opportunities to become familiar with some of the more obscure, position-specific awards because we've had some great players nominated for them.

But what about fan favorites?  What about recognizing who we -- as members of California Golden Blogs -- think is deserving of an award for our favorite Golden Bear football player?  If you think of how much time we spend coming up with memes like "Pain Train" and characterizations like "Syd the Squid", we should put some of that energy into recognizing a player that stimulated the most discussion.  It could be something akin to an MVP award, but voted on by the members of CGB, and more about our favorite player than just the most valuable player.  Who would the nominees have been last year?  Zach "Pain Train" Follett?  Alex "I'm Doing the Splits Again" Mack?  Syd? 

Not sure what the rules are allowing us as fans to present a player with an award, even a virtual one at that, since I know you guys aren't going to pony up money for a real trophy or plaque.  But what do you think?  Should we create and present an award to our favorite player at the end of the year?  Should we create a Preseasn Watch List?  I say take it to a vote!