Make the most of it: some advice to current BC football players

Spaz suspended Colin Larmond Jr. He gave the pat "violation of team rules" explanation. The prevailing rumor is that Larmond voiced displeasure with his playing time and BC's direction and Spaz sat him. I understand where both are coming from.

The season is falling apart and Spaz rationalizes that he's got to take control. He's probably got a "you're with us or against us" attitude. Every shaky program in every sport does something similar.

I also feel for Larmond. He came back for a 5th year and isn't even playing on a really bad team. BC could use him. He sees friends like Montel Harris and Dominick LeGrande having good seasons elsewhere. He is probably wondering why he came back. Oh and Spaz sucks. Like really sucks. Not many would want to play for him. But Larmond is learning a good life lesson. There are times to take a stand and there are times to suck it up and make the most of a shitty situation. My advice to the current players is to get back on the field and play.

To the Seniors, you need to suck it up because you don't have much football left. Even if you hate football or are burned out, you will one day look back fondly on these times. You'll be with teammates or catch BC on TV and think back to your time. Don't let it be filled with regret. Don't wish that you had played instead of watched the last few games. You have six weeks left. Practice and play as hard as you can. Leave everything out on the field. Don't do it for Spaz. Do it for yourself and all the people who supported you along the way.

To all the players expected to return, you need to practice and play hard because your new coach is watching. We haven't hired anyone yet, but any new coach worth his salt is going to review every piece of data he has to better understand the team. If you are lacking effort now or are not playing through nagging injuries, do you think the new coach and his staff are going to have faith in you? They are going to move on and fill the roster as quickly as they can with "their guys." You'll be even more of an afterthought. The only way to prevent that is to build your reputation now as a hard worker and a coachable guy.

As I've been reminding BC fans, this is not the first time a BC season has fallen apart. The players need to remember that too. This disaster can be personally or professionally rewarding if you just suck it up and play.

Five Things we won't learn with the start of practice

BC begins their fall practice schedule Monday. It's a huge first day and a huge season for BC and Spaz. But for all the storylines in play, there are still some major unknowns that won't be revealed until BC takes the field against Northwestern.

1. Just how tough is the schedule? Everyone agrees that this year's schedule presents more of a change than last year, but no one knows how much more. Every team we face has some question marks. NC State, Clemson and FSU have new QBs. Miami has a new coach. Clemson's coach is on a hot seat. Is Notre Dame finally back? This schedule might be easier than we expect. But this is college football. Perceptions matter. So BC's record will constantly put in context of its "tough schedule." My prediction is that things will even out as they usually do. Two of the teams will surprise and two will probably disappoint. Let's just hope that BC catches them all on their off days.

2. What sort of impact will Kevin Rogers' have? We are already hearing mixed rumblings regarding Rogers's offense. Some say the players are taking to it, while others question the learning curve. Practice will help but we won't know what sort of game Rogers will call and how the players will adapt until the season starts. We are not extremely talented on O, but there are enough pieces that a competent Offensive Coordinator should be able to improve things.

3. How healthy are Harris and Larmond? Both are saying the right things this summer, but camp will be telling. Things get out and if the guys miss practices or look tentative, we will know. And if either are less than 100%, expectations will take a nose dive.

4. Which new players will emerge? This is always the internet fan and blogger's favorite game. We hear and read things and then anoint some young guy or second teamer, the new savior. Sometimes the scrimmages are proving grounds and other times they are red herrings. But the speculation is fun.

5. What is Spaz's future with BC? This clearly won't be answered in camp but after the season we should have a much better idea. I know it seems like I am rooting against Spaz at times. I promise you I am not. I root with passion every week for BC. I just don't think Spaz is the right guy and every season with him as head coach is a wasted opportunity. I hope I am wrong. This is his third season. This is his team. How we perform this year will be a pretty good indicator of how the remainder of the Spaz era plays out.

Larmond back and other links

Colin Larmond says he's healthy and poised for a big season. If he can stretch the field, I think it will make like easier for Rettig and the offense in general.

Incoming BC basketball winger Lonnie Jackson knows the adjustment to college will be overwhelming. Yet he's still excited to play Duke.

The Capital Region Football Hall of Fame enshrined Josh Beekman for his standout high school, college and pro career. Although the Bears cut him, Beekman is still trying to catch on with another team.

Alex Albright continues to make good impressions with the Cowboys. When he signed with Dallas, I questioned the fit...which reinforces how little I know.

It sounds like Kiwi is ready to have a big year and put his neck issues behind him.

BC soccer player Kevin Mejia spent some time this summer as counselor at a soccer training center.

The recently retired Damien Woody joined ESPN as an analyst. Bristol is getting pretty full of BC guys.

2011 Position Previews: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

New season. New format. Instead of a digestible combo of factoids and opinions, I am going to write in a more narrative, free style post. As always, feedback is appreciated.

If you've read this blog long enough, you know that at times the little things can piss me off. But you know what moment still lingers with me a year later? Matt Millen disparaging our Wide Receivers during the Notre Dame game. I don't have his direct quote, but the gist was that we didn't have FBS talent at the position. While we aren't sending out a bunch of Jerry Rices, the guys played hard and have potential. The reason no one noticed had more to do with the rest of the offense and not them. I think that will start to change this season.

The reason I remain so optimistic about our WR talent is that I've seen plenty of mediocre pass catchers at BC over the years. A guy can look servicable in an offense if the offense finds the right playes. Plays that work. Plays that build off of one another. Think of some of the catches we saw Swigert and Amidon make last year. Were they flukes? Of course not. But we didn't get them the ball enough because the patterns didn't allow them to get space, the QBs didn't have time and the play calling was suspect. That has to change this year. Not only are the players more mature, but we should have some offensive competency. I'd argue that there were multiple Dana Bible offenses that had less raw talent and depth than our returning starters. If we could put plays together then, there is no reason to think it can't happen now.

The biggest reason you won't hear a Matt Millen type run down our WRs is the return of Colin Larmond. He has big play capability. He's saying he's faster than ever. Whispers differ a bit. Knee injuries are tricky, but even at less than 100% he should be the leading target. Swigert and Amidon were forced to grow up fast last year. It should pay off this season. I still like what Momah brings to the table. We had him all over the place last year but you can't coach height. Logan found a niche for him in 2008. I hope Rogers can his year. Lee will also get a chance to make plays.

I also like our Tight Ends. Pantale is progressing and I could see him having a 40+ catch season. (Rogers likes to work the ball to Tight Ends and H backs.) Anderson has be been very dependable for most of his career. I am guessing that he'll spend a little time in the backfield as a blocking back. I doesn't matter as long as he is being used effectively. Naples and Darmstatter both have favorable buzz. Are there enough snaps for them to make an impact?

If you want to torture analogies to get an understanding of our pass catchers, you can't even use the chicken and the egg. We had a rotten egg that produced nothing but an embarrassing stench. How can you say what is and is not FBS when the scoreboard would indicate that none of it was? But that changes this year because you can't keep talent and hard work down forever.

Rumored now official: Larmond out for the year

BC finally confirmed that Larmond will miss the 2010 season with what is being termed just a "knee injury."

Supposedly there are some ligament issues, but no one has confirmed if it is MCL or ACL. The second opinion I keep hearing about is probably less about if he needs surgery and more about when he will have it and who will perform it. (Players often like to have a home town doctor do the work.) This is such a tough break for a talented and reportedly good kid. You would have to assume he redshirts and rehabs the leg for the next 12 months.

Since the news broke, I've been coming around to what it means for the team. It is certainly a loss, but not a crushing blow. He is a talent -- no doubt -- but even our inexperienced and depleted WR group is still more talented than many of the groups we had in the TOB days. Plus we have a good group of Tight Ends. Injuries happen, but we should be okay.

Larmond 'done' and other links

I tweeted the rumors last night but according to Colin Larmond Jr's own Facebook status, he is "Out for da season...". This could be premature since I was also told he will get a second opinion and Spaz remains evasive on the topic. Regardless, he showed up at Sunday's scrimmage walking with crutches while wearing a thigh-to-ankle brace. Fortunately for Colin, he is still eligible for a redshirt. As for the team, it is a serious blow. The only other position where we are more dependent upon one player is probably Harris at running back. Larmond is our only WR with significant experience and he is our best deep threat. Let's hope some of the unproven guys see this as an opportunity and step up to fill the void. Because of the depth issues, I think you'll see a few true freshmen WRs play this fall.

As for what actually happened at the scrimmage, Adam Rose was at it again with his coverage at WZBC. The Heights and BCeagles.com both had coverage too. The consensus seems to be the QBs and kicking both look solid. Because Marscovetra has played well, I expect he will get multiple series in the Weber State and Kent State games. Beyond that will depend on how he and Shinskie are playing.

Because he is not practicing, Herzy's return for Weber State is also looking less likely. I still have a gut feeling he'll be on the field. I don't think any rust or problems with the game plan will be an issue. Plus, if Spaz sits a healthy Herzy because he didn't practice enough, he would be on a national "hot seat." I say keep the faith.

Here is Scout.com's first interview with new commit Graham Stewart.

Colin Thompson raved about his visit to BC.