Dunbar's comeback and other links

Last season was a disaster for Jo-Lonn Dunbar. He missed the beginning of the year with a PED suspension and only played in seven games. The Rams even cut him. The team gave him another chance this year and he plans to make the most of it.

Outside of Gallik, most of our seniors seem like longshots for the NFL.

Soaring to Glory's continued their player preview series with Kam Moore.  He seems like the type that woud redshirt.

Dunbar suspended and other links

The NFL suspended former BC linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar for four games. Dunbar denied PED use and instead said it was based on something he took by accident.

Here is another interview with Chase Rettig.

The Rant Sports guys are at it again and predict a rough go of it for Addazio.

Injuries on Oakland's offensive line might open up a spot for John Wetzel.

Report: Dunbar earned a Saints Bounty

Former BC Eagle Jo-Lonn Dunbar is the latest player to get caught up in the Saints Bounty story. The good news -- according to Michael Silver -- is that he is unlikely to face league punishment. The alleged $200 cash payment came after the Saints playoff win over the Lions. The play in question also did not injure the opposing player.

Gregg Williams clearly liked Dunbar as he encouraged the Rams to sign him as a free agent. I also don't fault Jo-Lonn and never found him to be a dirty player at BC. Let's hope Silver is right and he does escape punishment.

Humphrey's leaving, new football recruit and other links

Matt Humphrey decided to transfer from Boston College. Because he is set to graduate, Humphrey will be able to play for his next (third) school immediately. While it is a loss all around, Humphrey's decision is a bigger deal off the court than on. Humphrey proved to be BC's most consistent defender. He's was a streaky scorer, but seemed to improve his decision making as the season went on. The problem with Humphrey leaving is that it reinforces some of the negative rumors about Donahue. Donahue's reputation is that he is a tough critic and very candid with players regarding what they need to do and where their future is with the team. If a guy like Humphrey has one year of college basketball left and his coach is telling him he might not start and his minutes will probably go down, then you can't be surprised when those same players leave. What might be more effective for Donahue is to say (paraphrasing): "Matt these are the things to work on, this is how I see our roster next year, but I have all the confidence in the world that you will be a valuable player and critical leader for this team." Donahue needs Humphrey even at reduced minutes. I do think Donahue is one of the best coaches in basketball. He's smart and engaged and intense. He seems like a good teacher and I do think he is a very, very good game manager. He's also smart enough to know that he will need great players to succeed. To get those players to buy in, he needs to tweak his approach. If he doesn't other coaches will use it against BC in recruiting. Coaches will say that Donahue cannot relate to players and his current guys are bailing. Donahue is a smart guy. Let's hope he is smart enough to work on his people skills, so that player want to play for him instead of leaving.

Spaz signed Georgia WR Nigel Matthews to be part of the 2012 class. Nigel has decent potential. Previously he committed to Air Force. My bigger issue is with Spaz and his roster management. If things were well organized we wouldn't have all these open slots months after Signing Day.

Details are emerging about Jo-Lonn Dunbar's free agent deal with the Rams.

The Rangers are waiting for Chris Kreider's season to end.

Softball loss to UMass on Wednesday.

Eagles can serve as role models for Herzlich

We know that Mark Herzlich and all his fans are disappointed , but not getting drafted is not that big a deal. Now that their risk is minimized and their upside is aligned, numerous NFL teams can roll the dice with Herzlich. And he only needs to look to two recent BC linebackers as examples of free agent success. Ricky Brown -- who graduated the spring before Mark arrived -- was an extremely productive linebacker at BC. He didn't have Mark's instincts or cover skills and was of similar speed. Yet he got on with Oakland and has been a contributor and part-time starter for five seasons. Mark's former teammate Jo-Lonn Dunbar has also used free agency as an avenue to an NFL career. Now 2008 Herzlich was better than Dunbar ever was. Their SR seasons were comparable as both dealt with some nagging injuries and stacked depth chart. Dunbar had more speed than Herzlich but was not expected to be drafted. He's been a significant factor for the Saints though. Signed as an undrafted free agent, Dunbar is now a starter.

The lockout creates a bit of an unknown that wouldn't have occurred as a draftee, but there is nothing Mark can do about that now. He now just has to stay focused and find the right situation for him.

The only thing he could have done differently through this process was to avoid the media spotlight. But if Mark truly has on-camera ambitions after football, then speaking on air this past week was a great audition and a chance to promote Mark Herzlich the brand/personality.

I am disappointed but not surprised by this weekend. But I don't doubt Mark. He'll be in the NFL next year and in a few years few of us will even care about his Draft weekend.

Congrats to Carmichael, Dunbar

Congrats to the two BC guys who just picked up Super Bowl rings. With the win Pete Carmichael Jr (on Payton's left above) will enter next offseason as a hot coaching name. Who knows though, maybe one day he'll be back at the Heights.

I hope Dunbar gets another shot at the Super Bowl too. The ring is nice, but I would rather see him healthy.

BC storylines in the Super Bowl and other links`

We are nearing game time, so here are a few Super Bowl and BC links...

Jamie Silva has a professional cut his hair for the first time since 2003. Seems like bad luck to me, but this is the Super Bowl -- you want to look good.

Jo-lonn Dunbar won't play Sunday, but he will be across the field from one of his high school friends.

Recent signee Aaron Kramer has the right frame to be one of our Olinemen. Now he just needs to add some weight and strength.

New signee CJ Jones is expected to be a DB but also may get some touches on offense.

Crane recognized and other links

The ACC named Chris Crane one of their Players of the Week.

Thanks to all of you who sent the clip of Jo-Lonn jacking a Viking on Reggie Bush's punt return.

ACC Now has video of Saturday's game.

The oddsmakers still think our basketball team is a year away.

This NC State blogger took a different look at our offensive performance. While it was certainly a breakout it might also be that NC State is just that bad.

BC is showing interest in the following recruits: Zach Mottla, Ted Meline, and Matt Couch.