One on One with Bryan Anger

Right now is maybe the only time of year that punters and kickers are the subject of envy.

"Everybody hates us," sophomore punter Bryan Anger said. "Well, they don't hate us. They just want to be us."

While the rest of the team runs exhausting drill after drill, the punters and kickers get to stand around, talk and occasionally punt or practice field goals. Or, in Anger's words:

"We get a lot of drop work for me. And steps and stuff. A lot of stretching."

But in a new rule implemented seriously for the first time last year, there is one thing the unit cannot do.

"We have a rule now we can't sit," Anger said.

It's doubtful anyone would consider changing Anger's seemingly laid-back routine, though. Last season, Anger was a freshman All-American, averaging 43.1 yards per punt, including a booming 76-yarder in the Big Game that still stands out in the minds of most in attendance that day as the play of the game. Except, of course, for Anger.

"Hopefully we'll make it a little bit better than that (this season)," Anger said. "It's hard because we don't get pinned back there that much."

After a stellar freshman campaign that now has him named to the Ray Guy Award watch list-the prize for the best punter in the nation-the pressure should be laying heavy on Anger. But Anger, who couldn't have a last name more contrary to his personality, is feeling and looking loose after a productive summer working with former Cal and current Detroit Lions punter Nick Harris.

"I'm coming in relaxed," Anger said. "I feel like last year I was anticipating it a lot more. Coming in being the guy. This year I'm been-there, done-that."

Another thing keeping Anger relaxed are the antics of his kicker counterparts. Last year's starting kicker, Milan, Italy-native Giorgio Tavecchio, gained a fellow countryman in the incoming freshman kicker Vince D'Amato.

They're, oh my gosh, speaking Italian, having conversations in Italian. They're funny," Anger laughed. "I'm trying to tell (Tavecchio), 'Stop speaking Italian.'"

Syd'Quan Thompson, Silent Assassin

There aren't many athletes quieter than senior cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson. There also aren't many players on the Cal football team more qualified to be a leader. So how does Thompson reconcile his practically silent demeanor with the duties of leader?

"I'm trying to move into that more vocal role, but I don't want to go outside of my boundaries, outside of my character to where stuff that's coming out of my mouth doesn't sound true or doesn't sound convincing," he said. "I pretty much know my time and place where I should step in."

When asked who does have the vocal chords to step into that role, Thompson was quick to name some teammates.

"I think Eddie Young is stepping up. Kevin Riley. Mike Tepper. We got some guys," he said. "Everyone's trying to contribute and keep everybody hungry."

Thompson, then, in his typical fashion will be letting his preseason All-American actions speak for themselves as he anchors the secondary in his final season with the Bears.

And although Cal fans have to wait another month to see Thompson match up against outside competition, they can already hear about his favorite sparring partner in practice.

"(Wide receiver) Marvin Jones," Thompson said with a chuckle. "Me and Marvin, we have our times. It's all fun and games, but we compete. I compete with every receiver but me and Marvin kinda got a little thing going."

A Peek at Drills

Most of the drills during fall camp aren't much to write home about, but there are a few interesting drills that the Bears perform:

-To work on tackling, the defensive linemen kneel in front of a tackling dummy, then reach out and whack it as they fall forward in a face-plant.

-For their turnover drill, the linebackers run at a ball lying on the ground and scoop it up with both hands cupped together.

-To hone their quick reflexes, the running backs dash past running backs coach Ron Gould and two others holding large, yellow garbage cans which they swing around at random. The goal is for the backs to execute the drill at full speed.

Tags: SYD'QUAN THOMPSON, CAL FOOTBALL