University of California Athletics

From Tom Amesbury in Grass Valley, CA: What are the Bears doing to stop the big yardage plays by the other team on third down?

Matt Beck: "I think we have more flexibility to put in better personnel in those passing type situations, but really it comes down to execution, execution, execution. We have to be in the proper alignments, know our assignemens and execute our coverages. Sometimes last year, we wouldn't know where to line up or, if somebody put a man in motion, we wouldn't know who had the motion. We're a year into the defense and so there's a better overall knowledge and understanding of what we're trying to accomplish in Coach Setencich's system."

From Dan Richardson in St Louis, MO: How do you compare Cal's linebackers this year to the rest of the Pac-10's LBs?

MB: "We have a nice variety of different types of players. We have a few speed guys, a few strong heavy-hitter type guys, and we have some lanky, mobile, smart guys. There's a nice blend of speed, strength and knowledge. I think USC has a pretty good corps of linebackers in No. 4 (Mark Cusano) and Claiborne, but most of the Pac-10 teams seems to have just one dominant linebacker. I believe we have three, if not dominant, pretty darn solid linebackers. As a group of three, I think we're near the top, if not the top linebacker group. Individually, we might not compare but as a group we don't have to take a backseat to anybody."

From Scott Robinson in Mill Valley, CA: Matt, the linebackers seemed to be a little nicked up last year. How's the depth at this position and is everyone healthy including you?

MB: "Health is a major concern of ours entering this season. Our starters are pretty experienced, but our back-ups are relatively inexperienced, so it would be important for our starters to stay healthy. As far as me, I'm coming off a hamstring pull during camp, but I expect to be full go for the early part of the schedule."

From Greg in Walnut Creek, CA: Besides the fact that the players do not have to learn a new defensive scheme this year, what other factors will help make Cal's defense better? Also, what young defensive players should we Bear fans be on the lookout for in the next few seasons? Have a great season, and Blitz Cade McNown a lot!

MB: "Intelligence and knowledge of our defensive system will be much improved this season. It will translate into improved execution. As far as new players, watch out for Jamaal Cherry. He's going to knock the heck out of people over the next four years. He's got unbelievable size. He'll solidify our Mike position for the next several seasons. Another guy who has impressed me on the other side of the ball has been Eddie Macha. During his work on scout teams against our first team defense, his speed and fluidity have been impressive. I think he has a real future."

From Steve Schroeder in San Jose, CA: Is your injured shoulder 100%? Last year the defensive front seven started the season strongly, making numerous "plays" behind the line of scrimmage. In my opinion, key players such as Sanyika, Carter, Deloach, and yourself seemed to wear down physically as the season progressed. This year the defense again seems loaded with dominant "potential"! First of all, do you agree with my assessment of last season?! What is your explanation and what about the 1998 Bears defense? Secondly, do you see any newcomers that really impress you?

MB: "Any team in a league like the Pac-10 is going to suffer some depletion in size and health. We're playing 11 games of tough football. The guys are strong at this level and you're going to get nicked. It's not like high school. Depending on what type of injuries somebody gets, that will affect whether somebody can continue lifting, continue to practice or even to play. Last year, we were not only physically worn down, but we were extremely mentally worn down and that led to a lot of execution problems. I think we have a better understanding of our defense now and that's a big factor. When we're tired this year and an offense throws something wacky at us, I think we'll have the ability to respond the right way because we're more experienced and have more confidence in the system and each other. At least that's the hope. I already mentioned about Cherry and Macha."

From Ken Lee in Santa Clara, CA: How is Nate Geldermann doing on the defensive line? Do you miss him at all at the inside linebacking position? And what are your personal and the team's expectations this year? Could you also tell me what kind of conditioning work do you do to prepare for the upcoming season?

MB: "Nate Geldermann is doing phenomenal on the defensive line. That's not a surprise to me at all. Nate is a mean bastard, and I mean that as a high compliment. Moving him to noseguard is like putting a pig in a slop house. He loves all that contact. If his body stays healthy, he should play a lot. I will miss him at linebacker because we intended to play four years side by side.

"I do a variety of different workouts -- anything from agility drills, volume sprinting, resistent and non-resistent bungee work, tire-pulling, stretching, Olympic weight-lifting. It all works together."

From Gregg in Los Angeles: Is it true that you linger in the locker room for an abnormally long time before and after practices?

MB: "Yeah, it's true. I'm not in a rush, it's not my style. Most of the time I stay in the shower a long time with the water on my neck while I relfect on what I did right and what I did wrong in either a practice or a game. I try to be methodical about my approach to the game and that's why perhaps I don't rush around in the locker room. Sometimes I do dip into a helter-skelter pace and I've found it gets me in trouble in terms of my performance."

From Matt Moore in Redwood City, CA: Do the pre-season accolades fill you with a sense of purpose? Do you want to prove them right; live up to the hype? Or, do you ignore it and go about your business?

MB: "You can't really ignore it, because it's there. But, I try not to let it affect your approach to football. You try to do the same things you did before there was any hype and not let it affect you. You don't want to start thinking your're too good and stop doing the work you need to continue to improve."

From Joe in Benicia, CA: Do you expect to have a lot better season than you had last season. I've heard that the defense is susposed to be one of the best in the Pac-10 this year. Is that true? Do you hope to make it to a bowl game this year?

MB: "Personally, I hope to have a good season. I hope to play consistently and not make mistakes. If our defense improves and gets better over the course of the season, we should be very highly ranked. If we don't improve, we could be lower ranked. Team-wise, I just want us to win and definitely. We defintely hope to achieve a bowl berth this year."

From Art Cutts in Alamo, CA: Matt, What are your thoughts on the "new" defensive lineup, with Davis, Gibson and Jackson gone and moving Geldermann to NT and O'neal to corner? Does this give us a better defense against the long pass than what we have had the past two years?

MB: "We have some key guys up front on the line and I don't think quarterbacks are going to have much time in the pocket. I assume there's going to be a lot more 3-step drops, and maybe some 5-step drops, but not many 7-step drops. I don't think they'll have much time which will help us in a big way against the long pass."

From Chris in Alameda, CA: Matt, having been a Cal fan for years, I have waited for a year where Cal has the kind of dominant defense that can take over a game. Is this the year?

MB: "Chris, we'll see. I'd like to let our performance speak for itself rather than talking about what we're going to do."