BC Eagles United launch, Media Day follow up and other links

BC launched a new portal website for their social media called BC Eagles United. Currently it serves as a hub for all of BC's Athletics social media sites and will have games and other rewards opportunities. I don't know if it will take off, but I applaud BC's effort to create a new way to promote BC sports.

Outside of Pantale, Rettig was the main focus of Media Day (Globe and Herald).

Our Brockton DBs have been playing together for five years. Brian Miller and Bobby Vardaro also received coverage from their local paper.

Tom Coughlin and the Jay Fund gave out a college scholarship to a Florida girl. Of course the highlight of her day was meeting Herzy.

Cleveland.com posted a feature on future Eagle Drew Barksdale.

Miami Game point spread and other links

The major sports books released the point spreads for the opening weekend of college football. Miami is currently listed as a 1.5 favorite over BC. I know I've started sipping on the Kool-Aid, but I like BC with the points. We're at home and Miami is rebuilding too.

Another BC target, Orlando WR Jeff Badet committed to USF.

Oprah visited BC (check out the pic of her with Father Leahy). She was there to visit students from her South African Academy. The students are at BC this summer as part of a program to acclimate themselves to U. S. colleges.

BC posted a Q&A with Chase Rettig. Everything he says is encouraging, but I love that Matt Ryan reminded him to just have fun. Fun is one thing that's been lacking from BC football for three years.

This is HD's preview of our summer camp.

The Globe wrote the rare, rare story on a new BC golfer.

Herzy's second year and push to grow his role is one of the big storylines coming out of Giants camp.

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.

Mayock's biggest day and other links

Most of us have watched ESPN's Draft coverage, but don't forget the NFL Network's broadcast. The star of that show is BC's own Mike Mayock. Mayock has spread his wings a bit with game coverage, but he is really at home as a talent evaluator.

Local papers in Illinois are loving the Costanzo story.

Chris Hovan's first post NFL job will be coaching high school football in Florida.

Another Herzy interview.

Thomas Claiborne once seemed like a definite draftee. An inconsistent season combined with some squabaling with the coaches made him much less desirable. Put he still has potential, as you can see from this workout.

Softball's season has been a bit of a letdown. However they have set the school record for HRs in a season.

King running hard and other links

BC track star Caroline King cruised to victory at the 800 meter event at the ACC Championships.

Herzy spoke with the KC Star. What's interesting is that he is saying that lack of summer practice kept him from reaching his potential in 2010. I sort of understand that argument, but think his 40 time will have many teams worried about his future mobility.

The baseball team lost to Georgia Tech again today. They are having real trouble scoring runs.

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:

Watch Herzy today

If you are in a market that carries Raycom's "Saturday's in the South" be sure to tune in today since the show will feature Mark Herzlich and his comeback.

With the season nearing I don't think people realize how big Mark's story is going to be. And if he is able to regain his old form...who knows how much press he is going to get. I am glad Mark is healthy and has his degree because the media attention will probably reach the point where it all borders on a distraction. But if he is healthy and we are winning that will be a nice problem to have.

Herzy's return and other links

The big news of the day was Herzy's return to practice. As he explained to ESPN in the clip above, his leg strength is not back, but his upper body is nearly where it was precancer.

You can see his hair start to sprout back in this link.

The women's basketball team lost a close one to UVA Thursday night.

Jags and TOB both made HD's best of the decade list. TOB also made the best of the Big East coaching list for his work at BC. HD had BC as her third best ACC program of the decade.

Religion, tax policy, reproductive rights BC Sports and other links

I knew the Brown post would upset people, but I thought my postscript encouraging everyone to vote showed that I understand this is a sports blog and there are two sides. Unfortunately political passion and debate shares many characteristics with sports debates. Unlike sports though, winning and losing is not as clear cut in politics. Sure, one candidate may get more votes, but the end results come in policy, legislation and our livelyhood. We have heated debates all the time on this blog and I hope that people don't forget that I am just one guy with my own opinion. I try to let others share their opinions on nearly anything in the comments. I've got a pretty long track record here and try to be clear in my opinions and agendas. I am not always fair. I am not always right (clearly). But I try to be straight forward and respectful. Now let us move the discussion to things we can all agree on like religion, economics and reproductive rights...

Here is another good feature on Herzy.

Matt Ryan made HD's ACC All Decade team. Kiwi got an honorable mention on the Big East squad.

Mixed reports on McLaughlin at the Shrine game practices. He's getting good marks for leadership and having trouble in pass coverage.

The Band goes Herzy

Cool jesture by the band this weekend. Take a look at the facepaint.

Jags fired again and other links

I hadn't expected to talk about Jags much this week, but he is top of mind this morning having been fired by Tampa Bay. I have no scoop on the situation and ultimately feel sorry for his family and the Logans. I go back to my sentiment in January that none of this had to happen...

In much more pleasant news, Herzy got a lot of coverage locally for his return. WEEI posted this link and NECN interviewed our newest "coach."

DiSanzo is our latest walking wounded. He will miss Saturday with a shoulder injury.

The ACC will honor Mike Mayock as part of their Legends series.

Here is a good article on Castonzo in the Herald.

Incoming Eagle Seth Betancourt is considered a Pennsylvania player to watch.

This article on Chip Kelley references Ryan Day. What I found interesting is Kelley's reliance on situational statistics. I wonder if his three former colleagues on our staff are as dependent on stats?

Women's soccer beat BU.

John Bunting recalls recruiting Hakeem Nicks and Russell Wilson. What's the BC connection you ask? Both were "discovered" by current BC staffer Dave Brock.

Gene press and other links

Boston Magazine released a feature on Gene. In full disclosure I was interviewed by the writer, however, none of my quotes were used. The only critical voice you find in the piece is Greg Barber. Barber brought up the problem Gene had with Mark Whipple's desire to bring in his own staff. Gene tells Schwartz he only "recommended strongly" some names. I've never really delved into this, but if you don't think Jags got the job initially because of his prior relationship with Gene and his willingness to have Spaz, McGovern and Siravo on his staff then you are wearing blinders. Now, I am sure Gene only "strongly recommended" the staff to Jags too. But none of these guys are dumb. It is just like the real world. If the person hiring strongly recommends something, you make a decision. Do I want this job under these conditions? Whipple wasn't willing to compromise. Jags was. Look who got the job. Are we better for it? So far. Schwartz did a good job given the limited space and angle the magazine wanted to take. Definitely worth the read.

In better news, Herzy is back on campus and remains optimistic about 2010.

A few ACC players think BC is one of the tougher places to play. (Thanks to Brian for the link.)

McLaughlin sounds less optimistic about getting on the field soon. It is not my career but if he isn't ready by October, I would like to see him get a medical redshirt.

Dime checks up on Troy Bell.

Here is the latest on Dominique Davis.

Good news from Herzy and other links

Herzy let the world know via Twitter that he has resumed work outs. There's a long way to go and more procedures ahead, but you have to be encouraged that he has the health, desire and strength the work out.

BC received 9 votes in the AP preseason poll.

Tomahawk Nation posted another detailed breakdown of BC, only this time they looked at the defense. I realize we lost three NFL level talents, but I think TN underestimates the returning group and the new talent coming on board.

Here is a fair preview of the team from a Carolina newspaper.

This is unrelated to sports but a nice story of a BC guy breaking into the burrito biz. Check out their website at Red's All Natural.