TWSS Podcast: April 29, 2011

Kate and Nick are back! The duo’s talking Sharks v. Red Wings, Giants and A’s baseball, the NFL Draft, and the Warriors letting Keith Smart go after just one season. Happy Friday, all!

Click here to listen!

10 Former Cal Bears Compete at 49ers Pro Day

Which is taking place today at Niners headquarters in Santa Clara. The former Bears set to show their stuff include OLB Keith Browner, C Donovan Edwards, G Richard Fisher, C Chris Guarnero, CB Darian Hagan, NT Derrick Hill, DE Cameron Jordan, QB Kevin Riley, WR Jeremy Ross and RB Shane Vereen. Check back next week for info on the day as well as a wrap of Edwards workout with the Raiders.

Cal’s Cam Jordan, Shane Vereen Doing Well at NFL Combine

So well in fact, that most NFL scouts have Jordan following in Tyson Alualu’s footsteps, by getting picked up in the middle of the first round. Jordan and former Bear, Mike Mohammed, are doing the physical stuff today – bench press, vertical leap, etc. – so I’ll post results from their workouts as they come in.

Coming into the Combine, Vereen was a projected 4th round pick, but after running his two 40-yard sprints in the high 4.4s while putting up great numbers at the bench press and vertical leap, don’t be surprised to see him taken late in the 2nd or early in the 3rd round in next month’s NFL draft.

Former Cal defensive back, Chris Conte, works out on Tuesday.

For the full story on Jordan, Vereen, and the next potential Niners’ QB, click here.

Owen Marecic, Shane Vereen Chat at NFL Combine

With the 2011 NFL Combine getting underway on Thursday, it was time to catch up with former Stanford and Cal standouts, Owen Marecic and Shane Vereen.

Say it with me now, Muh-ree-sick, made headlines during the fall for starting at both fullback and linebacker for the Cardinal, not to mention sporting a mass of hair that made even Clay Matthews jealous. Sadly – or thankfully, depending on how you see it – the long blond ponytail is gone, donated to Locks of Love. And Marecic has also given up playing both ways, choosing instead to focus on the fullback position.

Vereen flew under the radar in 2010, due to Cal’s less than stellar season, but is expected to have little trouble following in the footsteps of former Cal runners Jahvid Best, Marshawn Lynch, and J.J. Arrington in making a name for himself at the next level.

Cal, Stanford Players Nab Invites to the NFL Combine

Four players from Cal and Stanford received invites to wear spandex, I mean, showcase their skills at this year’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Nabbing a bid is huge, with just over 300 given out to the thousands of guys that play NCAA football. Representing the Golden Bears will be safety Chris Conte, defensive end Cameron Jordan, linebacker Mike Mohamed and running back Shane Vereen. The Cardinal sends nose tackle Sione Fua, fullback/linebacker Owen Marecic, cornerback Richard Sherman and receiver Ryan Whalen.

The combine starts on February 23, ends on March 1, and is viewable on the NFL Network. Here’s hoping all eight Bay Area representatives shine in the best chance to show their stuff leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft. The draft takes place April 28-30 in New York City.

Taiwan Jones: From Antioch to Eastern Washington to NFL Hopeful

While all the running back talk approaching the 2011 NFL Draft is sure to focus on the likes of Alabama’s Mark Ingram, Pitt’s Dion Lewis, Cal’s Shane Vereen, etc … remember this name, Taiwan Jones.

Jones grew up in the East Bay town of Antioch, graduated from Deer Valley High, just completed his junior season at FCS (aka D-IAA) powerhouse, Eastern Washington, and is already being compared to NFL speedsters, Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles.

I repeat, remember this name, Taiwan Jones. And for a great read on Jones’ career thus far, click here.