Caudill commits to BC

Steve Donahue received a verbal commitment from California big man Kyle Caudill. Caudill gives BC some much needed bulk and rebounding. Most of the scouting reports claim that he lacks athleticism and upside, but there is no reason he cannot be a good cog in this system. Welcome aboard Kyle.

Ramsey, Facebook and Defensive Line

While most of us are celebrating the start of fall practice, it is a good time to remember that football is not always fun for those who play. At times it can be a huge pressure, burden and obligation. They don't play for love of the game. They play because they are big and strong and it is a means to an end. They didn't come to BC for the same reasons we did. They came because BC was often the best school to offer them a scholarship. I say all this because it appears that Kaleb Ramsey will not be playing football for BC this season. The Herald and ESPN both confirmed the long-speculated: Ramsey didn't show up at camp today.

Although Ramsey's status just recently hit the main stream news, it no surprise to those who follow BC on message boards, social networks and in blogs. For months now Ramsey has publicly expressed his desire to leave BC on Facebook. I got tipped off to it a few times, but never reported it due to the grey area that is Facebook. I am not Ramsey's friend on FB. He made his proclamations to his "friends." Not the media. Not the coaches. In a respect for his privacy I never said a word. But he, and others, should know that when you write something on Facebook, the whole world can see.

Finally, what does this mean for our defensive line. Looking at the fresh, new depth chart, we should be fine. We have plenty of big, raw bodies to clog the middle. Neither of the young guys are Brace or Raji, but Ramsey wasn't either. If Scafe comes back and one of the other guys steps up, I don't think Ramsey will be missed at all. He always showed good upside, but to be effective, you have to want to play for BC too.

Today is the day

Practice begins today! The 2010 season is just a few weeks away. Am I the only one who has a great feeling about this season? Regardless of how this plays out, at least we'll have some real games to talk about.

Problems at DLine and other links

One of the reasons I've waited to write the wide receiver and defensive line previews is because I had no idea what the staff was going to do with Momah. It sounds like they still don't know. I never understood why they moved him in the first place. He was a solid WR and his size was a difference maker. We'll see what happens. My guess is that he'll stay on offense...it is where we need him more. The Globe also had a piece on the Shinskie's development. Another key to Shinskie's season might be Bill Flutie.

The Giants are trying Kiwi at LB.

This is Rivals look at the ACC.

Here is an NFL scouting report on Anthony Castonzo.

Chris O'Donnell is coming back to BC for the Notre Dame game.

BC gets a future kicker and other links

Who knew BC would find multiple kickers in South Carolina? This weekend BC received a verbal commitment Alex Howell. He will be part of the 2010 recruiting class.

Despite missing spring ball, former Eagle Dominique Davis is expected to start at QB for East Carolina this season.

BC is already interested in 2012 recruit Colin Thompson.

No respect in Coaches' poll and other links

As usual BC fell into the "others receiving votes" category of the preseason Coaches' Poll. If there was full ranking it would mean we were 40th. I don't think any of you are surprised as this is pretty standard disrespect when it comes to polling. But don't read into this that other coaches don't think much of us. This poll is usually filled out be lower level staffers in the coaches name. So what this means is that a bunch of GAs don't think much of BC. Overall the ACC placed five teams in the top 25.

Mike McLaughlin continues to make a name for himself in Baltimore. Maybe this fullback/special teamer idea will work out.

The BC Draft crew took some time to look at non-starters who will make an impact this year.

Freshman ready and other links

The Globe had a nice feature on our local freshmen. Many of these guys will redshirt, but let's hope they all develop and contribute. It would be nice if New England finally became a deep recruiting territory.

HD expects Kevin Pierre-Louis to make a big impact this year.

ACC Sports posted their Q&A with Anthony Castonzo.

BC target Chase Hounshell really enjoyed his visit to Florida.

People wonder why Dan Henning had trouble at the Heights...well this article on former DC Jim Reid gives some insight into how things worked.

Former Eagle Ron Brace's days in New England might numbered. Very strange that he's struggled to this extent and now can't pass a conditioning test.

Crawley's extension and other links

BC added two more years to Sylvia Crawley's contract. My initial reaction was: "why?" Nothing against Crawley, but has she done anything yet to earn a new/longer deal? Was she going anywhere? Let's hope her strong recruiting translates to more wins.

After a year covering the BC hockey team, BC alum Tom Grace is going back to Pittsburgh to be the voice of the Penguins again. You have to admire a guy who follows his dream.

Former Eagle Mark Nori is getting his first head coaching job at a high school in Ohio.

The notes section of this article mentions Chase Hounshell interest in BC.

Baseball assistant Steve Englert is staying on at BC under his former colleague Mike Gambino.

Position preview on Eagle Insider

Here is my preview on the linebackers. News flash -- they are good.

Growing Power Lawrence Academy and other links

In all the back and forth regarding Max Ricci's commitment, I was left to wonder when did Lawrence Academy become such a power. They currently have four BCS commits and might get a fifth. The odds are that some of these guys will not pan out. Let's hope we have the pick of the liter.

For those who missed it, NBC hired BC guy Mike Mayock to join their Notre Dame broadcasts. This is a great article on how it came together.

Here is the latest BC Draft special now in their new home.

CFN expects big things from Dillon Quinn and Johnathan Coleman

Jay Kenney is another late bloomer hoping to score a BC scholarship offer.

The football team visited Camp Harbor View. I am glad they continue to do these things. One afternoon can make a big difference.

Tony Thurman will be BC's honoree at the ACC legends event this year. I understand why they do it, but I still think it is silly that BC players who never set foot in teh ACC are now conference legends.

Herzy was on a North Carolina radio show and you can listen to it here.

Max Ricci talks to Eagle Insider

The BC Draft crew caught up with our latest commitment over on Eagle Insider. Please note that it is a premium article (all recruiting news will be). I know that will disappoint some of you but know that is Scout's business model. My goal is to have the occasional free recruiting article and some sign-up specials as the season approaches. As you've seen the past few days, there will be plenty of free content too.

As for Ricci, he seems like a very thoughtful and well adjusted kid. I was impressed with what he had to say and hope that other schools don't try to poach him.

New position preview and other links

Here is my write up on the running backs on Eagle Insider. There will be more this week and some interviews and recruiting updates.

Scout also has new on potential BC target Dexter Bridge.

Shinskie is an afterthought in this article on ACC QBs.

Ricci gets on board and other links

After a little lull, BC added another member to Spaz's recruiting class in Massachusetts defensive tackle Max Ricci. Ricci is a bit raw but has much needed size. Let's hope this begins another mini recruiting push as BC's class remains smaller than many of our opponents.

The Globe had a nice feature on Matt Ryan. I know he is only in his third year, but this is sort of a make or break season. If he is going to be an elite QB it needs to start coming together soon. Peter King is also going to feature Ryan in his MMQB next week.

The Sporting News posted their ACC overview and their BC preview.

This article throws cold water on Charlie Davies' comeback. If he can't get on the field for Sochaux, hopefully he will end up on a team where he can work on his fitness and form.

Mike McLaughlin is off to a good start in Baltimore.

Catching up with Troy Bell.

Former Eagle player and GA Ryan Mattison is now a full time coach with Bowdoin. Best of luck to him.

Check out WZBC this Saturday

As I've mentioned in the past, while at BC, I covered football, basketball and a little hockey for WZBC. It was a great time and fortunately the station's sports staff is still going strong. During the summer they have a BC sports talk show on Saturday afternoons. You can listen live online at WZBC.org starting at 1 PM ET. I will be a guest in their first hour and new baseball coach Mike Gambino will be a guest in their second hour. We'll be talking football and expectations for the upcoming season.

Behind the scenes with Herzy and other links

Here is a behind the scenes shot of Herzy's ESPN Magazine photo shoot. I was a little surprised that the Dark Knight inspired the eye black. I know he was only about 10-years-old at the time, but didn't anyone tell Mark about Chris Hovan using the eye black while dominating at BC?

The USA Today also featured Mark and included quotes from McGovern.

When I read this piece on Jared Dudley's basketball camp, it became pretty obvious to me that Jared not only has his head on straight but has a long-term plan for himself and his career.

A few BC names popped up on HD's best position's piece.

Providence basketball announced our game is scheduled for December 8.

This is a roundup of Donahue's latest recruiting efforts.

Reading too much into the preseason All Conference team and other links

The ACC media members selected four Eagles onto their Preseason All-ACC Football team. The honorees were Anthony Castonzo, Thomas Claiborne, Montel Harris and Luke Kuechly. The only team with more was UNC. If we had the second most players on the squad and some of our better players were snubbed, does this mean we have the best talent in the ACC this year? I don't think we have the best talent, but the gap between BC and the conference powers is not a wide as the media or some at BC would leave you to believe. I think the team and the fans should use this list as a confidence boosters. BC can compete for the division. Don't let the excuse makers lower expectations. We are all about "ever to excel."

This preview thinks BC will go 10-2. I love the optimism, but don't think our schedule is as easy as they do.

Mike Gambino hired his first assistant Scott Friedholm. The Providence grad has coached at Navy and Maine.

Ryan Quigley spoke with his hometown paper while coaching at a kicking camp. He seems like another good BC guy.

IMG acquired our radio rights holder ISP Sports. This probably doesn't mean a whole lot for BC. The only real synergies might come in ad sales and marketing programs when IMG puts their marketing clients in ISP's broadcasts.

Here is a decent season preview from a Virginia blog.

BC hoops recruit George Matthews is trying to decide if he should go to prep school for a year or give college a shot now.

About the Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Many thought Gary Stokan's explanation on what BC needs to do to get considered for the Chick Fil A Bowl was double talk to placate BC critics. It's not. I joined the Atlanta Sports Council and actually met privately with Stokan earlier this year. Within two minutes of meeting him I was hitting him up with BC bowl questions and he was very candid. It wasn't an on the record conversation, but now that Stokan has spoken about it publicly I don't think I am breaching any confidentiality.

The Atlanta Sports Council is very open to BC and appreciates our TV draw and the newness we would bring to either game. Ticket sales and attendance are vital to the bowl. The Council has commitments to sponsors and local hotels to have the stadium full. That doesn't just mean tickets sold. It means they want butts in the seats. If any school were to buy their allotted tickets and eat them (which BC has done on a smaller scale in the past) it would hurt the Bowl.

A team doesn't need to fill all 12,000 allotted seats. The bowl can live with a smaller commitment if they can pair us with a strong ticket buying opponent (say South Carolina, Alabama or Georgia). However, BC has never stepped up to the plate on the minimums. I don't know if BC doesn't think they could rally 5,000 fans or doesn't want to take the financial risk involved. Maybe they just don't want to embarrass themselves by coming up short for such a public ticket push.

As much as it would be my dream, I don't think BC should focus on the Chick Fil A Bowl. The short window to sell tickets will always be a challenge for BC. Instead we should try to get into one of the Labor Day weekend kickoff games. Those would have more than a year of build up. BC marketing and the fans could plan out the trip and spread the word. We've brought more than 5,000 to Notre Dame and more than 4,000 to Clemson. With planning and support we could do the same for a big game in Atlanta.

If you want to do something about this, send Gene a note and let him know that you would buy tickets for either of Atlanta's games. Send the bowl game an email too. If 5,000 of us let them know we are excited about these games, we may actually get into a real bowl one day.

Radio interviews with AC and Herzy and other links

On this page you can hear interviews with Castonzo and Herzlich with an Atlanta radio station at the ACC Media Kickoff.

Here are the results of most of the preseason awards and predictions.

Athlon ranks BC 34th overall.

Brian St. Pierre is back at his high school working out and hoping for another shot at the NFL.

Hopefully Sean Duggan will be the next St. X star from Ohio to come to BC.

While Herzy hit the links in Greensboro, Castonzo worked on his thesis. The Chick-Fil-A Bowl will consider BC if we commit to a certain level of ticket sales. I never thought BC would get in the Chick Fil A Bowl until BCMike told me he was getting married that night. His jinx will ensure that BC is playing in its biggest bowl in decades in Mike's own backyard on the one night he cannot get to the game.

The Enormity of the Herzlich story

Things are about to change for Mark Herzlich and BC football. In a few weeks the hoped for and hypothetical will become real. Mark will play football again and if the ACC media day is an indicator, this story will be huge. But Mark's candid responses to his risk and his goals opens up all the possibilities in play in this unbelievable narrative.

First (and this is our worst fear), Mark admitted that if he breaks his left leg, it would have a hard time healing due to the radiation and tumor. Most wouldn't risk that, but as we know, Mark is not most people. I can't see this ending that way. However, if this ending takes a sad turn, it will not be a tragedy and I don't think it would play out that way in the media. A broken leg would just mean Mark left everything he had on the field and that football ended his career, not cancer.

I think most BC fans expect Mark to contribute and be an emotional inspiration this season. If he is pretty good and BC is pretty good, Mark will still be the center of attention on a weekly basis and an inspiration to us all.

Mark clearly expect more than that. He wants to be better than he was in 2008. If he is better than his ACC Defensive Player of the Year season, he will win the Heisman. That's not hyperbole. Regardless of my BC allegiance, I believe that after the Reggie Bush nonsense, the media/Heisman voters would trip over each other in a rush to mail in their ballots for the All America, cancer-conquering linebacker from a BCS conference. The hype and pride surrounding his recovery would quadruple if Mark plays that well. No other candidate would stand a chance.

The odds of a defensive player winning the Heisman are long. The odds of a BC player winning the Heisman are long. But Mark has already shown that he is an outlier and isn't worried about statistics and normal outcomes. As I said, this story is going to be huge. Why not think big and think the impossible?

Raycom's story:

Day 1 of the ACC Media Kickoff

First a tweet from Bruce Feldman that captured the day:

I doubt any school has two more impressive spokesmen than BC does w cancer survivor Mark Herzlich and Rhodes Schl candidate Anthony Costanzo

HD wrapped up the events. When people weren't talking about Herzy they were talking about the agent mess at UNC.

The Herald their coverage Sunday night. The Globe is taking there time forgetting that they have a blog they can use before things go to print.) The Herald also noted Castonzo's weight gain.

BCeagles.com did an admirable job covering the events and getting atmosphere shots.

The players have to tell the same stories over and over again, but every once in a while someone will uncover something new like the Herzlich brothers bowling with Clemson's Jacoby Ford.

Here are the players -- including Herzy -- making names for themselves this year. While Castonzo is one of many ACC players expected to be a 1st round draft pick.

This flikr album has a good mix of posed and candid shots. A shot of Mark and Anthony.

Maryland's Alex Wujciak was asked about his brother committing to BC.