Mekari brothers' tough love in the trenches could help boost Cal

For the brothers Mekari, Cal’s practice field is a bit like Las Vegas. What happens there, stays there.

So when Tony Mekari, a defensive tackle for the Bears, decides he wants to give younger brother and offensive lineman Patrick an extra shot after the whistle, so be it. Nothing terribly violent, mind you. Maybe just a forearm to the ribs while they are on the ground. Or perhaps a quick helmet slap on Patrick’s way back to the huddle. Call it a reminder of his place in the pack. All in the name of brotherly love.

But once practice is done, all is forgiven and forgotten. At least in theory.

Tony Mekari, who had 16 tackles and one sack last season, helped Cal earn its first bowl win since…