McArthur matures into team player

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 9, 2004 | by Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER

BERKELEY -- Football is a game of physical strength, but Geoff McArthur's biggest growth at Cal didn't occur in the weight room.

Football also requires the proper mental approach, and McArthur's maturity has been his most noticeable improvement, even more impressive than his pass receiving achievements and All-America recognition.

McArthur caught 85 passes last year for 1,504 yards. He caught one pass against the Air Force Academy last Saturday for 7 yards. He was perfectly content with either total.

This mental balance is what sets the McArthur of 2004 apart from the McArthur of 2001, who put his fist through a window after a Cal game because he was dissatisfied with his production that day.

"Maybe I wasn't mature enough," he reflected this week, "to know it wasn't all about me."

Progress has been made in terms of selflessness. Significant progress, such as McArthur's evaluation of his one reception Saturday.

"I caught one ball, and it got us to third-and-inches," he said. "So I did my job. If I drop it, then it's not a big victory. We're in a dogfight."

Cal won 56-14. Even if McArthur did drop that pass, the margin of victory wouldn't have changed dramatically. However, his mind-set -- his new way of looking at himself -- is the important issue.

McArthur is in position to set Cal receiving records. He was voted second-team All-America last year and has been projected as a first- team All-American this fall. Catching one pass in a game doesn't get him any closer to either recognition, but he's not bothered.

"It's not a one-man show. It wasn't a one-man show last year," he said. "What's that expression: 'Ignorance is bliss'? I didn't know I shouldn't think about personal goals."

Bears coach Jeff Tedford prepared McArthur for last Saturday. Cal has more offensive talent than a year ago. Tedford told McArthur he probably won't catch as many passes this year as a senior.

"It's not about you," McArthur said in self-analysis. "It's about 105 guys."

That wasn't the Geoff McArthur of three years ago, when the glass- shattering incident after the opener against Illinois cost him the season (albeit his redshirt year). That wasn't the McArthur of two years ago, when he stood out the first half of the season, then basically sat out the second half.

"Then a light bulb came on," he said.

It dawned on him that he wasn't working hard enough in games or in practice.

"I accepted being average," he said. "I thought I did enough just getting to college."

He had led the nation with

1,779 receiving yards at Palisades High. But college football requires an even greater commitment, and McArthur was only giving it a half-effort.

Then along came Tedford, who pushed him harder, "to maximize my potential," McArthur said.

It all came together in 2003 with his breakout season. Now it's all about winning, not personal numbers, that matters.

"I've always wanted to be in the bright spot," he said. "This year, I'm not concerned about it. I am the guy. I was the guy last year. I'm just happy we won."

True happiness in sports is winning. It's not about personal glory. It just took McArthur a little longer to figure it out.