Blogpoll 2010

Below is my preseason Top 25 for the blogpoll. The poll is now hosted by SBnation. As for my votes: I am very suspect of Boise State. I don't like the lack of depth in the Big 10 and therefore think Ohio State will go undefeated in conference. I was tempted to put BC higher, but I don't want to jinx things. Things will get reshuffled once the games begin. Leave your thoughts below.

Eagle in Atlanta Ballot - Week 1

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Ohio St. Buckeyes	--
2	Alabama Crimson Tide	--
3	Virginia Tech Hokies	--
4	Oregon Ducks	--
5	Texas Longhorns	--
6	Penn St. Nittany Lions	--
7	Nebraska Cornhuskers	--
8	Florida Gators	--
9	Arkansas Razorbacks	--
10	TCU Horned Frogs	--
11	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	--
12	Auburn Tigers	--
13	Georgia Bulldogs	--
14	South Carolina Gamecocks	--
15	Iowa Hawkeyes	--
16	West Virginia Mountaineers	--
17	Wisconsin Badgers	--
18	Pittsburgh Panthers	--
19	Boise St. Broncos	--
20	Utah Utes	--
21	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	--
22	Florida St. Seminoles	--
23	Miami Hurricanes	--
24	Stanford Cardinal	--
25	Boston College Eagles	--

SB Nation BlogPoll College Football Top 25 Rankings »

Position preview: quarterbacks

My latest preview is up over on Eagle Insider. The good news is that I am feeling better about Dave Shinskie than I ever have. While I didn't get into too much speculation and gossip in the Scout.com piece, there was a real worry around the program that Shinskie might crash and burn. Now it seems like he's found his sea legs, knows what he has to do and is ready. If his play matures too, we could be in for a special year. Plus, everyone also likes Marscovetra. BC is almost in a can't lose position (now I've jinxed us).

National Champions? and other links

Can BC win a national championship? ESPN thinks the pieces are there: friendly schedule, returning talent, luck. This is a classic ESPN filler article but I like the spirit of it all. 2007 though should be a lesson to us all. If we remain undefeated we will climb in the rankings. However, 2007 was also rare in that so many heavy weights dropped games early, clearing any logjams. If BC were to go undefeated, we would need some help getting into the national championship game. An extra win from the ACC Championship game would help our BCS standings and the Herzy story would get some humans to vote. We would also need the traditional powers to lose a game or two. I am not buying my plane tickets yet, but this is a reminder that we shouldn't lower expectations. We are a better team than the team our staff is poor mouthing in the press (TOB style).

Here is Part II of BC Draft's interview with Weber State's coach.

Tough break for Jamie Silva. Let's hope he makes a full comeback next year.

Virginia Tech fans respect our team.

BCD's interview and other links

In case you missed it, here part 1 of BC Draft's interview with Weber State head coach Ron McBride. Part 2 will be up Monday afternoon on Eagle Insider.

The New York Times wonders if our easy schedule would diminish a 10-win season. That would be a nice problem to have.

Ron Brace passed his physical and is finally practicing with the Pats.

Billy Flutie wants to take Gene D's job one day (I am fighting every urge I have from making a joke).

Finally, I didn't want to highlight this nonsense since Bob Hohler's BC work is always about grabbing attention, it is hard not to say something. I don't begrudge anyone's salaries. Life is clearly not fair and very few things are a true meritocracy. But at the same time market forces work pretty well and correct imbalances. College athletics is a demanding, high profile profession. These jobs have a certain value in the market place. BC pays what is has to in order to stay relevant. Having successful coaches has been a blessing for the school. If fans think Gene is paid too much or paid Skinner and Jags too much, they can make their opinions known by not giving. There is really not much news in any of this, but that never really stops Hohler.

Scrimmage, media day and more

Since TOB left there has been one pattern to our summer scrimmages -- the defense dominates. Even with Matt Ryan, the D got out early and brought a lot of pressure. Part of it was talent and part was design. The idea was to test the offense early so that they could progress and learn. With that in mind, I think the early results of our first scrimmage were encouraging. Shinskie and Marscovetra both put up solid numbers as did potential RB threat Andre Lawrence.

Friday was Media Day. This year there was obviously added interest because of the Herzlich storyline, but the event is usually a low key affair. What I find interesting are the little details, like this notebook that talks about how Harris' backups are developing. The mix of players is always a bit telling too as they put the seniors and they guys the coaches have high expectations for at the tables.

ESPNBoston was at media day too and filed this article on Castonzo. Let's hope they have consistent and meaningful BC coverage this year.

Captain Alex Albright was pretty candid at Media Day talking about Herzlich.

WZBC has stepped up their coverage of Media Day too.

Shinskie's comfort level remains an ongoing theme within the media. Yet HD still remains somewhat skeptical.

The Hockey team will be honored at the White House.

Although he sounds like he wants to stay out west, BC is recruiting Chase Rettig's younger brother.

Rivals thinks we have one of the better Olines in the country.

Here is the Montel Harris video from the most recent episode of Saturday's in the South.

What to make of Herzy's foot injury

More info came out today regarding Mark Herzlich's foot injury. He officially has a broken bone in his right foot (his tumor was in his left left). Originally rumored to be a stress fracture, we still don't know the exact diagnosis of the break nor which bone is broken. Mark claims to be pain free and ready to play. Most of us are asking the same questions: will he play and when?

I am really not worried about any of this. There are a few ways this could play out.


1. It is a minor fracture and will heal before Weber State.
2. It is a minor fracture that will take longer to heal but still in time to take on Virginia Tech.
3. It never really heals and Mark plays through it all season while resting during the week.

Regardless, Mark will play this season.

If this injury is nagging and Mark never reaches his full potential, it will be sad and frustrating but not a reason to doubt this team's upside. We are deep at LB and can shuffle the depth chart if Mark is limited. Also remember that Matt Ryan played most of 2006 on a broken foot. Now the demands and mobility of a QB ad LB are entirely different, but Matt showed that once the adrenaline gets pumping you can play through the pain.

I feel for Mark, but don't blame BC for dragging their feet. If this leads to a 100% healthy Herzy then it will all be worth it. We obviously know that Mark is tough and a survivor. He showed great faith and intelligence during this whole process. Now let's hope that the patience pays off.

Heights Twitter with the scoop and other links

When I was a student and on campus, we always knew more news and gossip than the traditional media. Even though I was involved in WZBC, we rarely took what we knew and broke news. It was a different era -- we only had gameday broadcasts and a Monday night show. The Heights schedule also meant they rarely broke news. The internet has obviously changed that and no more so than with the Heights being the first to report Kaleb Ramsey's return via twitter. (Once again, if you are not on twitter, you should get on it before the season starts.) Other internet reports followed that said Ramsey was at practice but worked off to the side with the S&C staff. I guess they are testing his fitness. As for what his impact means, I am not expecting much. It will be nice to have depth and it will be gravy if he becomes an impact player. I am just leery of guys playing in these sorts of circumstances. If your heart or head is not in it, the odds are you won't make a difference on the field.

It is nice to keep reading about Shinskie's maturity and comfort with football. I'll have more on Shinskie's adjustment in my QB preview due this weekend.

Brad Newman's time at the Heights has flown by. Think of it this way, Newman along with Castonzo and Gause were some last minute recruits pulled together by Jags' transition team in 2007. All played as true freshman and all are set to play their final season.

Like the NFL.com, I was at the Falcons Camp today. Like the NFL.com, I think Matt will have a break out, get to the next level, type of season. Now I wasn't there to see practice, but the vibe in the building is that they and Matt are ready.

Finally, congrats to BCI for making the Twitter 200. (Yet another reason to get on twitter.)

Who has the best Oline? and other links

Why is everyone so excited about Florida State's offensive line? I don't think their talent is that much better than ours and they were just as inconsistent as BC last year. Hopefully our guys will use this sort of stuff for motivation. The anchor of the line -- Anthony Castonzo -- will have a unique fall as he prepares for the Rhodes interviews. I know this might seem silly to some but I think he should skip the interviews if it conflicts with the UVA game. Not that we can't win without him, but he is set to break the total starts and consecutive starts record at BC. That is a big deal in the football sense.

BC lost out on Ohio Lineman Chase Hounshell. BC target Darius Jennings seems set on visiting a lot of targets. Jack Tabb is still looking at BC but talking up other schools.

One of Montel's fans in Jacksonville asked SI why Harris doesn't get more publicity.

With the Saints in town to take on the Patriots, JoLonn Dunbar and Matt Tennant were able to stop by practice. Herzlich still could not practice.

Bookmark this link for College Football Sports References. It has deep links for player and teams.

Even among ESPN's rankings, we are in the "others" category.

New captains, Herzy news and other links

The football team elected Alex Albright, Anthony Castonzo, Wes Davis and James McCluskey as captains for the 2010 season. I am curious how they arrived at four, since we've had two, three and four at different times over the past decade. All guys are what you want in Captains and should serve the team well. A few people were surprised that Mark Herzlich was not also elected. Don't read too much into it (health of personality related). Herzlich missed practice again today and according to the Herald has a stress fracture in his right foot (his left leg had the tumor). If it is a stress fracture, this will be a lingering story and injury. The only thing that heals stress fractures is time and low impact stuff. I am sure he can play through it...let's hope it doesn't slow him down or progress.

[Pushy Eagle Insider links coming ahead!] In addition to getting content from me and others, the cool thing about becoming a member at Eagle Insider is that you get recruiting scoop from across the network. For example BC is already targeting 2012 QBs and 2013(!?) QBs. The 2013 kid isn't even a the fulltime starter at his high school but already has an offer from BC. That's got to be a good feeling.

Here is one of the better previews on the team.

This analytical look at the ACC predicts that BC will finish fourth in the division. HD has us 7th overall.

As expected Josh Haden will be joining his younger brother at Florida. No idea if a good tattoo artist will be able to make the BC logo look like the Gator logo.

BC just offered Massachusetts athlete Manny Asprilla.

The BC Draft guys go through their wish list.

Herzy's foot and other links

No one was more frustrated Monday than Mark Herzlich as his first official day back was postponed due to a nagging foot injury. All the reports say it is unrelated to the cancer and he could play through it if needed. But I do agree with the doctor's orders to get him to 100%.

In cooler news, BCeagles.com's photo gallery gives us our first glimpse of the new Under Armour practice jerseys.

Assuming he stays healthy Montel Harris could pass Derrick Knight on the all-time rushing list this season.

In his notes section Blaudschun mentions Momah playing both ways.

BC was one of the first to offer Worcester WR Canaan Severin.

This is what HD is following at our camp.

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.