2011 Position Previews: Defensive Line

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.

When unremarkable players graduate the consensus is usually "we won't miss them." Yet the basic logic should raise the question: if the guys were so mediocre, why didn't the guys we have starting now, play last year? Will we miss Brad Newman, Alex Albright and Damik Scafe? Yes and no. In a way, we missed them last year when both Albright and Scafe missed time with injury. But we won't miss them because of what we ask the front four to do.

The DL at BC most stop the run. To do so they fill gaps and make tackles. Ordinary college players can do this if coached well. BC has sent out plenty of ordinary guys over the years who have performed well in the system. However, BC becomes special when we play the scheme with a great player or two. But a Kiwi or Raji on our DLine and watch the game change. Let's meet our potential game changers.

The guys expected to start are Kaleb Ramsey, Dillon Quinn, Kasim Edebali, and Max Holloway. Holloway has improved each year, Edebali looked good, Quinn was a highly rated prospect, yet I think Ramsey will set the tone. With him, it has always been about focus and desire. He's got the size and speed. I think he could be a great DT. Maybe now, as a senior, it will all click. The key for the Ends would be to increase pressure while still keeping contain.

The other guys in the mix will be Mehdi Abdesmad, C.J. Parsons, Dominic Appiah, Conor O'Neal, Bryan Murray, Jaryd Rudolph, and Dan Williams. Spaz might throw some of the true freshman out there, but I doubt it.

Of the second teamers I am going to follow a hunch and say Rudolph and Abdesmad will get the most playing time. Abdesmad has generated good buzz. When Rudolph saw the field last year, he looked like a high motor type.

So back to the original question: will we miss the departed? I don't think so. I think we will maintain their output and have the chance to be special if one or two guys play beyond their baseline.

2011 Position Previews: Defensive Backs

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.

I've read that NFL GMs don't like to draft Nick Saban's defensive backs because they never know if the guys are great or just so well coached that they appear great. BC suffers from a similar problem. Our DBs are so well coached and well schemed that no one really respects their individual talent.

It is a relatively simple formula. Our DBs have specific assignments. We play mostly zone coverage. They are drilled to keep their players infront of them. They read the QBs to make smart plays on the ball. And they all tend to be good tacklers. Spaz and McGovern deserve credit for this, but so does Mike Siravo. Under Siravo we've plugged in a series of players and rarely seen a dropoff in performance. [Criticism for Siravo's working as a recruiting coordinator is a different conversation for another time.]

For something so functional our fans tend to bemoan our defensive strategy. People kill the cushion that our DBs allow. It can be frustrating and against good QBs we get picked apart. I understand the frustration, but you cannot argue with the end results. We rarely allow big plays. We make bad QBs look really bad. We frustrate the other offense more often than we frustrate our own fans. But because we are not pressing coverage it often appears that our DBs are slow and not difference makers.

Even by BC standards, this year's crop of defensive backs is really lacking in star power. I expect that to change by season's end. Donnie Fletcher is our most experienced corner. He's played since day 1 and will play the field corner position this year. Fletcher tackles well and can make plays on bad passes. I expect an All-ACC season from him. CJ Jones and Jim Noel will fight for the other corner spot. Based on recent years, I think they will probably split snaps. True freshman Albert Louis-Jean is also expected to play as a freshman.

While the fundamental philosophies are shared, the BC safeties are asked to do some different things. They support the run and also have more freedom to leave their zones, either to help or pick off a pass. The Safeties are expected to be Okechukwu Okoroha and Dominick LeGrande. LeGrande has played all over at BC and been good in most spots. Okoroha came on late last year and was solid.

Other guys who could see time include Sean Sylvia, Dominique Williams, James McCaffrey, Ameer Richardson and Spenser Rositano. And don't expect the top guys to stay strictly in their corner or safety designation. Noel could move back to Safety and LeGrande has played corner in the past. My guess is that we'll play the best guys and interchange them.

As I write these previews I start wondering how the season will turn. In a way, I think the DBs capture the confusion. I think things will be very good. I think the talent is better than outsiders think. Yet I don't know if other factors (the schedule, the offense, Spaz) will undermine the DBs's (and team) end results.

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.

2011 Position Previews: Offensive Line

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.

Reputation is a funny thing. Bad or good, it often follows you even when it hasn't been relevant or accurate for years. BC's reputation is for producing great offensive lines. The reality is our offensive line play has been bad the past two years. But offensive line play is tough to measure. It is not about points or size or style. It is not about sacks or rushing yards. Real great offensive line play is about harmony. It is about rhythm and balance. It is about setting the stage for the skill players to score and get the glory. Great play offensive line play is really about five big clunky guys playing as one to the point where no one even notices how well they are playing.

Before I get into what's ahead for BC's Offensive line, let me give you my belief as to why our OLines were so good for so long. Seeing a 18-year-old throw a darting out pass or run a 40 yard dash gives you a good idea of how their skills translate to the next level. Projecting how a tall or chubby or clumsy 18-year-old will perform three years later and 60 pounds heavier is much harder to do. Offensive line isn't about measurables. It is about coaching. You need coaches who can look at a lump of coal and see the diamond underneath. And you need coaches who can teach their diamonds how to work together for the common goal. BC became OLineU because we had head coaches and position coaches who understood and appreciated offensive line play. Bicknell had his sons on the OLine. Coughlin came from Parcells's school where OLine was considered the foundation of everything. Henning for all his issues knew that much of the Redskins success was about great offensive line. TOB was a longtime OLine coach as was Jags. While year to year, some OLines were better than others, there was enough continuity that you could count on BC being strong upfront.

Now getting a defensive head coach isn't the reason our offensive line fell apart the past two years. The awkward combination of Spaz, Tranq, Devine, the system we ran, the lack of playmakers and the OL players they inherited all played a role. I do believe that if the coaching philosophies had been on the same page, we could have been respectable instead of just bad.

Despite my growing cynicism surrounding Spaz, I actually believe the offensive line will play better this year. Rogers' Olines at Syracuse and Notre Dame were always decent. I think Spinney, Richman and Cleary make a solid foundation...all with a chance to be very good or even great. White was decent last year in spot duty. That leaves Wetzel, Goodman, Betancourt, Williams or Kramer to step up and fill the void. All have potential. They just need to be put in position to blossom and excel. That is about hard work, coaching and scheme.

For someone who only watches the games and doesn't attend practices, my predictions and suggestions would be Cleary at LT, Richman at LG, Spinney at C, White at RG and Betancourt at RT. (Sub in Wetzel if Betancourt is not ready.) But one thing I don't want is starts based on seniority. Put the best guys in their best positions.

BC has managed to compete despite terrible line play the past two years. That trend cannot continue as the schedule is more demanding. If Devine doesn't get the guys clicking this year, than our days as Oline U may be on hiatus.

2011 Position Previews: Running backs

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.

Do you think Montel Harris knows who Rodney Dangerfield is? Because I sort of feel like his entire BC career has been about "No respect."

Harris is poised to own every school rushing record but no one seems that interested. "Too small" -- he carries tacklers like no other little man in the ACC. Third offense in four years -- no big deal. Return kicks -- he's done it. Return punts -- check. Harris is even a good pass catcher.

I don't think we appreciate how great Montel Harris is. Think about the Florida State game from last year. Despite some huge gains, many BC fans bemoaned Harris's lack of speed. The general opinion seems to be that he's very good but not great. I disagree with that sentiment. Harris is great. Yet my fear for this year is not the new offense. What has me slightly concerned is his knee. I fear that a nagging injury he might not have the crescendo to his career that he deserves.

As I run on and on about Harris being under appreciated, I am indirectly overlooking the rest of our backfield. Andre Williams has the power. He has the speed. He runs people over and gets fans excited. Despite the glimpses he's still unknown and that unknown quality will generate plenty of talk among the fans this year. Let's establish the Williams questions now: Will he get the carries to make an impact? Will he adjust to the new offense? Can he be patient waiting for holes to open and reading his blocks? Can he become a pass catcher? Will he get a few snaps as fullback?

Remember Deuce Finch? Sidelined by mono and then a redshirt, we haven't seen him on the field in a season and a half. Long layoffs do weird things. Some guys come back renewed and motivated. Others never regain their form. Who knows what we can expect from Finch.

Tahj Kimble is another youtube and message board favorite. He's from the same area as Montel with a similar style. You know what that means? Nothing. It's a crowded backfield. However, Kimble or Finch or even Williams will have their chances to make a mark. Special teams or as a change of pace. And in a way that is perfect. We've lacked a sense of urgency on offense for a long time. We need hungry guys. Guys looking to make a difference. One of these guys will make a big play.

We have some other guys, but I doubt any will get real playing time. Another unknown is if and how Rogers will use a traditional fullback.

As you put together these previews the questions surrounding BC pile up. But running back is one area without worry. We are experienced. We are deep and we have a variety of styles. Plus we have one of the most underrated players in the country.

2011 Position Previews: Quaterbacks

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.

Have you ever watched 1984 Boston College-West Virginia game on ESPN Classic? Whenever its on, I find myself sucked in. I'll watch until the end as BC goes down on downs. I know how the game ends. I know BC lost. Yet all logic and rationale in my brain is turned off as a wait for Doug Flutie to change history. "I know they lost," I tell myself, "but it looks like Doug is going to do it..." Special quarterbacks will make you believe weird things.

Some schools get by on gimmick or a system. Some overwhelm you with waves of speed and talent. Neither has been BC's M.O. Our high points tend to be based on a group of kids coming together at the right time around the right Quarterback. That history is why I still have hope for the Spaz era. If we are going to rise again in the next season or two, I think it will be because of Chase Rettig and in spite of our coaching.

But I am probably pinning too much hope on Rettig. But the alternative is no hope. No upside. Prolonged boredom and despair brought on by Shinskie and Marscovetra. Sorry, I am a Catholic and a BC fan, not a nihilist. I need to believe. If Rettig isn't the answer, I am sure I will rationalize the upside of the next guy just to stave off the pain. "Maybe the time on the bench has changed Shinskie..." "I hear good things about Suntrup..."

Let me segue from feeling to a few facts that will hopefully inspire some positivity surrounding our quarterback situation. 1. This is the most experience we bring into a season without a senior starter in more than a decade. We are the only ACC team that has two quarterbacks with more than nine starts apiece. 2. Rettig attempted and completed more passes as a freshman than either Hasselbeck, St. Pierre, Porter or Ryan. 3. His completion percentage was within fractions of Shinskie's mark as a freshman. 4. Rettig was 5-4 as a starter.

The biggest unknown in all this is how Rettig or any of the other QBs progress under Kevin Rogers. How he works with our QBs and what he asks them to do could easily derail my "next big thing" narrative.

Although I welcome metrics and measurement in sports, one of the things I love about college football is that the development curve is so steep, severe and sudden, that a kid can blossom overnight. Who would have predicted that Flutie or Foley or Ryan would become what they each became based on their appearances. All you need is potential, opportunity and a spark.

Finally let me share a frustrating play from a frustrating and draining season.

Do you know why this play gives me hope? Because it all fell apart and Rettig kept fighting...just like Flutie did against West Virginia. The special ones always believe in themselves more than we believe in them.

Schedule for kickoff week

Kickoff week is finally here! BC football is now just days away. I am looking forward to blogging another season but want to give you the heads up on how this week will work.

Over the next few days I will finish up posting the position previews on Eagle Insider. BC Mike and Wesley will also have their Keys to the Game at Eagle Insider. I will have a new piece on Eagle Insider on Friday called: Friday Focus. On Gameday Dan Silver will be hosting a live chat from the press box on Eagle Insider.

Over here on Eagle in Atlanta, I will be posting the normal links and what not. I will also be posting my three different versions of how I think the season will play out. Thursday will still be the day for the game preview.

Saturday there will be a comments blog post here (I am too superstitious not to have one). But I encourage most of you to try out the Eagle Insider boards on game day. I will and the other members of the BC blogosphere will also be on Twitter most of the game.

As always I appreciate your continued support as I try to juggle this all and the real world. Wish me luck and "Let's go Eagles!"

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).

Position preview on Eagle Insider

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

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.

2008 Position Previews: Quarterbacks

This is the ninth part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.

QUATERBACKS
This is the most athletic group of quarterbacks BC has ever fielded. It is also one of the most inexperienced. There are enough pieces around the team that BC can have a successful season without great QB play. But QB performance will determine a lot. If Crane can surprise, BC could be one of the better stories in football. If he struggles, the program will have its biggest test in 10 years.

Overview
The most recent reports out of practice have me questioning everything. Instead of digging up some factoid about fifth year QBs that will hope to project how Chris Crane will play, I'll just rely on Steve Logan.

"...after the third game you are going to get what you get."
-- Steve Logan

There are many things I like about Chris Crane. There are also an equal amount of concerns. The fact is we don't know what we are going to get. What you hope is that he adjusts quickly and is good. You also hope that Steve Logan will craft a gameplan to what is working. Who knows? This, more than any position or issue since I've been blogging about BC, is a huge crapshoot.

The Players
QB -- Chris Crane, SR, 6'4, 239lbs
QB -- Dominique Davis, FR, 6'4, 198lbs
QB -- Chris Johnson, FR, 6'2, 215lbs
QB -- Justin Tuggle, FR, 6'3, 208lbs

Crane is the Last of the Mohicans sort of speak. TOB had a QB mold and did his best to find QBs for it. Crane is another tall, late-blooming, smart, east coast QB, nutured to be a pocket passer. He's faster and more mobile than his predecessors. He enters the year with one start under his belt (Buffalo 2006). Crane will not throw as often as Ryan and will use more of the spread run plays that are common place in college football. Davis is more raw but has a good arm and good build. Like Crane, he is more mobile than Ryan. Supposedly the coaching staff wants to get him on the field periodically this year. Johnson has some speed but is lacking in arm strength and pocket presence. Tuggle will likely redshirt this year.

Outlook
This summer, I felt good about the QBs. Now after the most recent report, less so. Regardless, all we need is a good game manager. If Crane can minimize the mistakes and move the ball, BC will have a good season. If Davis has to take over for any reason (injuries or poor play), we'll have some definite growing pains.

2008 Position Previews: Wide Receivers

This is the eighth part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.


WIDE RECEIVERS

This might be the least appreciated unit of the team. None could be called game breakers, but there is enough depth, diversity and incoming talent to feel good about their prospects post-Ryan.


Overview

These were the top five teams in receptions per game in 2007.

Hawaii
Texas Tech
New Mexico State
Missouri
BC

This is what the pundits are saying about each team’s receivers entering this season.

Texas Tech

Led by Crabtree, the show will once again be impressive.

Hawaii

There's speed, size, and upside...

New Mexico State

Can you say starting from scratch? If you're on the roster as a receiver, you'll get a chance to see meaningful playing time.

Missouri

If Maclin does what he did last year and Coffman is 100% healthy again, this will be an unstoppable group with too many weapons for most defenses to deal with.

And here is what is being said out BC’s WRs

Sometimes, the best way to evaluate a receiving corps is by determining whether it helps or hinders the play of the quarterback. This group won’t be spectacular, but it’ll help Crane in his first season as the starter.

Not a total dismissal, but certainly faint praise for the Eagles. The only group getting less respect is New Mexico State and they are coming off a miserable season.

Even during the run up to the NFL draft you heard the talking heads malign our receivers. This season is their chance to show that last year was not a fluke. I don’t think you’ll see the same number of catches (for a variety of reasons) but I think these guys will be very effective.

The Players
WR – Billy Flutie, SO, 6’2, 186lbs
WR – Rich Gunnell, JR, 5’11, 196lbs
WR – Justin Jarvis, JR, 6’5, 196lbs
WR – Colin Larmond, FR, 6’3, 196lbs
WR – Clyde Lee, FR, 6’0, 178lbs
WR – Ryan Lindsey, SO, 5’8, 165lbs
WR – Dominick Magazu, FR, 6’1, 190lbs
WR – Clarence Megwa, JR, 6’1, 216lbs
WR – Ifeanyi Momah, SO, 6’6, 225lbs
WR – Brandon Robinson, SR, 5’10, 196lbs

Gunnell really emerged last season. Not only is he a reliable deep threat, but he also proved he could be physical not get bumped off his routes. Robinson fought through some nicks and dings. He’s sure-handed and does well adding yards after the catch. Jarvis has great size and upside, but needs to improve his hands and consistency. Megwa was solid last year. Not spectacular but should remain a productive member of the rotation. Flutie gets raves for his work habits and practice catches. I think you’ll see a steady progression from his this year. Lindsey spent most of 2007 in street clothes recovering from injury. If healthy and if he hasn’t lost a step, there is no reason he shouldn’t contribute this year. Purvis gushed about Momah at the ACC Media event. If the kid can grow into his frame and keep working on his fundamentals, he could have a big year. Magazu redshirted last year. I expect him to be part of special teams this year. Lee and Larmond are the true freshmen. Expectations are high for Larmond. He should play this year. Lee, who knows? My guess is that he will redshirt.

Outlook
Like so much of this team, the known factors (Gunnell, Robinson, Megwa) provide confidence heading into the season, while unknown upside (Larmond, Momah’s progression) could be the difference in getting back to the ACCCG. I think these guys will surprise the conference and keep BC as one of the leading offenses in the ACC.

2008 Position Previews: Defensive Backs

This is the seventh part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Everyone feels great about our front seven and has a million worries about our secondary. Losing a playmaker and leader like Silva is tough, but there is some recent history and incoming talent that should be reassuring to all BC fans.

Overview
A recurring criticism of Spaz’s defense is the heavy use of zone coverage. The bend but don’t break philosophy may frustrate but its relative simplicity enables talented, good tackling DBs to play right away. Just look at what some recent contributors did as freshmen.

2007 – Gause: 13 games played, 39 tackles, 1 INT
2006 – Davis: 11 games played, 30 tackles
2004 – Silva: 12 games played, 43 tackles, 1 INT, 3 fumble recoveries
2003 – Glasper: 13 games played, 52 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery

The talented group of incoming DBs and the lack of depth in the backfield should create an environment where this sort of contribution happens again.

The Players
S – Paul Anderson, SR, 6’1, 211lbs
S – Stephen Atkinson, FR, 6’1, 175lbs
S – Marty Bowman, JR, 6’2, 217lbs
S – Wes Davis, SO, 6’1, 215lbs
S – Donte Elliott, FR, 6’0, 178lbs
CB – Donnie Fletcher, FR, 6’1, 186lbs
S – Chris Fox, SO, 5’11, 201lbs
CB – DeLeon Gause, SO, 5’11, 174lbs
CB – Chris Hayden-Martin, FR, 6’1, 190lbs
CB – Isaac Johnson, FR, 6’0, 179lbs
S – Dominick LeGrande, FR, 6’2, 200lbs
CB - Okechukwu Okoroha, FR, 6’1, 192lbs
CB - Ugo Okpara, FR, 6’1, 163lbs
CB – Roderick Rollins, JR, 6’0, 188lbs
CB – Razzie Smith, JR, 5’10, 177lbs

Anderson’s experience works both ways for BC fans. He’s the most familiar name at the safety position, but we’ve all seen him struggle in the passing game. He’s an okay tackler and is in position often, but doesn’t have great speed and can be burned deep. Bowman has more skill, but less consistency. Wes Davis is a hard hitter and played very well as a freshmen. His season ended prematurely last year due to a head/neck injury. If he can build on the glimpses he showed as a freshmen, he could be in the mix on some all conference teams. Rollins didn't progress as much as I had hoped last year. He should see significant snaps this year. Hopefully he can be consistent. Razzie Smith will probably be a reserve again. Fox also worked his way back into the lineup after injury. Hopefully he can stay healthy this year. As for the new guys...where to start? I think at a minimum four true freshmen DBs will play. More could depending on their talent. I just don't know which ones will play and start. For what it is worth, Okoroha was the highest rated recruit. Fletcher enrolled early and played in the spring game. He is highly likely to play too. Isaac Johnson was also well regarded. Jags doesn't have the predilection for redshirts like the previous regime, so all could play. I hope to sideline one or two for depth reasons down the road. For us to get back to the ACC Championship Game, we need more than one to make an immediate impact.

Outlook
Gause, Anderson, Rollins, Davis and Bowman would be a serviceable group by themselves. Add in a very promising group of freshmen and BC could have a defensive back that surprises the pundits and keeps our pass defense tough.

2008 Position Previews: Kickers and Punters

This is the sixth part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.

KICKERS AND PUNTERS
BC skated by all year without a consistent DIA kicker. Unfortunately the one game where an inconsistent kicker became a factor was the ACC Championship Game. The difficulties with place kicking was offset by Ayers' great season punting. This year is about hope, like, I hope Aponavicius added some length, I hope Bennett stays healthy, and I hope Quigley is ready right away.

Overview
Saying our kicking game was lacking is not an understatement. We had the second worst net kickoff average in the ACC. We only had six touchbacks (tied for 7th in the ACC). We also had the second lowest kickoff distance in the ACC. Aponavicius was adequate on PATs, but his limited range led us to only attempt 18 field goals! Of those 18 he only made 12. By comparison there were six kickers in the ACC who converted more than 80% of there field goal attempts. I don't expect Aponavicius to suddenly become Adam Vinatieri, but I hope he can improve this year.

The Players
K – Steve Aponavicius, SR, 5’10, 183lbs
K – Billy Bennett, SO, 6’1, 198lbs
P/K - Ryan Quigley, FR, 6'3, 175lbs

By now everyone knows Aponavicius' plucked from the stands story. Now he is on his second scholarship season. As mentioned he's not terrible on FGs. Kickoffs are another story. Because of his limited strength, we squibed repeatedly. Frustratingly he'd occasionally kick it normally with some effectiveness. I hope they return to that strategy. I would rather take the chance of a big return than put opponents on the 35 over and over again. We don't know much about Bennett. He was highly regarded but faced nagging injuries last year. If he stays healthy, he is likely to take over the kickoff duties. Quigley is a true incoming freshmen. He kicked and punted in high school. Due to the depth chart, he should be our primary punter from Day 1. If the other two struggle, Quigley might get a shot at kicking too.

Outlook
Quigley has big shoes to fill. Because we are unlikely to score as prolifically, punting will be even more of an issue. If Quigley struggles, it will put pressure on our D. As for kicking, Bennett and Aponovicius stay healthy and reach their potential, then we should be fine. If they play like they did in 2007, I am going to spend many of our special team's plays with my hand covering my eyes.

2008 Position Previews: Defensive Line

This is the fifth part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.

DEFENSIVE LINE
With so many contributors returning, you know what to expect from the defensive line. When it comes to run defense, that is a good thing. When it comes to BC pressuring the QB, that raises questions.


Overview
The defensive front only lost two significant contributors from last year (Nick Larkin and Brady Smith). Filling the void shouldn’t be a problem. The team gets a returning B.J. Raji, a maturing group of upperclassmen and some talented freshmen. With the roster solidified, the question needs to be asked: can this group create a pass rush? Outside of Alex Albright, very few of the guys upfront got to the QB. Look at some of these totals: Brace, 2.5 sacks; Ramella, 1 sack; Giles, 1 sack; A. Smith, 1.5 sacks; Scafe, 1 sack; Deska 1 sack. Collectively those guys played a ton of downs and barely even breathed on the opposing QBs. By comparison, Albright in an injury shortened year got to the QB 8.5 times by himself.

In fairness some of this was scheme related. These guys are asked to clog lanes and stop the run. But some of it is also related to skill and style. There’s not a lot of speed amongst that group and you rarely saw them blowing their blockers off the ball.

I’ve predicted greatness for this defense. For the line it starts by stopping the run and getting to the QB. No more career nights for guys like Chris Turner.

The Players
DT – BJ Raji, SR, 6’1, 325lbs
DT – Ron Brace, SR, 6’3, 325lbs
DE – Allan Smith, JR, 6’2, 237lbs
DE – Jim Ramella, JR, 6’4, 247lbs
DE – Austin Giles, JR, 6’3, 291lbs
DE – Alex Albright, JR, 6’5, 235lbs
DT – Jerry Willette, SR, 6’5, 282lbs
DT – Brendan Deska, JR, 6’5, 250lbs
DT – Damik Scafe, SO, 6’3, 305lbs
DE – Brad Newman, SO, 6’2, 250lbs
DE – Max Holloway, FR, 6’3, 230lbs
DT – Nick Halloran, FR, 6’6, 275lbs
DE – Christian Klein, FR, 6’4, 250lbs
DT – Bryan Murray, FR, 6’3, 285lbs
DT – Kaleb Ramsey, FR, 6’4, 274lbs

Raji can be dominant when the moment is right. He’s got good speed for his size and moves very well in the interior. At times, he’s taken plays off or been ineffective for stretches. The way his eligibility played out was unfortunate. I expect him to use the time away as extra motivation and have a huge year. His DT counterpart Ron Brace also enters the season with great expectations. He is a good run stopper and has improved his speed each year. Together they can be the best combo of DTs in college football. Albright started slow last year, but played very well in the middle of the season. His injury proved costly as we weren’t able to get to Sean Glennon in the ACC Championship Game. He’s the ideal of speed and strength from the End position and also has a good feel for the game. I expect another big year from him. Ramella had his moments last year, but still seemed a step slower than his freshmen year. Was he still recovering from his shoulder issues? Who knows? At this point I am expecting a more of the same from him: good fundementals, decent productivity, no game changing plays. Giles got a bit lost in the shuffle last year. He doesn’t have closing speed which can be frustrating when he just barely misses a RB or QB. Like Ramella, I hope that continued physical maturity will lead to more productivity. Allan Smith has potential but is also coming back from a serious injury. With Brady Smith gone, Willette may have an expanded role. His playing time really depends on his productivity and how ready the true freshmen are. Deska is a solid citizen who may see increased minutes this year. Scafe showed real potential as a freshmen and could be an all conference type player as an upperclassmen. Newman comes over from the offense. Hopefully he can contribute right away. Holloway is smallish, but played very well this spring. Halloran, Klein, Murray and Ramsey are all unknown. I expect two to play and two to redshirt. With the lack of depth at DT, some of these guys could see significant snaps.

Outlook
The defensive line is one of the best in the country. Despite their deficiencies in the pass rush, they do a very good job controlling the run. Even the smallest of improvements in pass defense could have a huge impact on BC’s season.

2008 Position Previews: Tight Ends

This is the fourth part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.

TIGHT ENDS

BC enters the season with the best Tight End in the conference and a bunch of questions behind him. Like other positions, this could year could serve as a looking glass into Steve Logan’s vision for this offense. Will Purvis be the last in a long line of pass-catching BC Tight Ends as the position gets phased out or will the new kids become offensive weapons too?

Overview
To show how impressive our Tight End history is, you need to look no further than Ryan Purvis’s 2007. He was all conference and caught 54 passes. He now has 89 catches for his career. Impressive, right? Yet even if he duplicated his ‘07 efforts, he wouldn’t even move into the Top 2 of BC TEs in total catches. The list currently has Pete Mitchell with 190 and Mark Chmura with 164 at the top. (Along with those two, BC Top 10 career reception list includes Flutie's main TE Scott Geiselman.)

If he has another strong year, Purvis can join Mitchell as the only BC Tight End to be first-team all conference in back-to-back seasons.

The Players
Ryan Purvis, SR, 6’4, 258lbs
Jordon McMichael, SO, 6’5, 257lbs
Lars Anderson, FR, 6’3, 245lbs
Chris Pantale, FR, 6’5, 225lbs
Michael Stone, FR, 6’6, 230lbs


Purvis is obviously very talented. Already a decent blocker, last season he took his total skill set to a new level. He is sure-handed and does a good job getting open in soft zones. He established himself as Ryan’s safety valve. Will he have the same repartee with Crane? Let’s hope so. McMichael is a big kid who blocks well. If he can stay healthy he should be thrown to more this season. Anderson redshirted last year. He played well in the spring and should be a contributor this year. Pantale and Stone will both be true freshmen. Based on depth issues one will likely play and one will hopefully redshirt.

Outlook
I think four guys will play this year with Purvis being the focal point. Unlike last year, I think we’ll need the Tight Ends to be bigger factors in the running game. As long as the guys stay healthy, Tight Ends should not be an area of concern.

2008 Position Previews: Offensive Line

This is the third part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.


OFFENSIVE LINE
Last season the offensive line was a source of frustration. While they protected Matt fairly well in passing situations, their effectiveness in run blocking was inconsistent and only got worse after Poles’ season-ending injury. Now in the second season of the zone blocking scheme, the unit should be more effective in opening gaps and stretching the opponent’s front seven.

Overview
Although we are filling two starting spot and departed depth, the actual starting line that takes the field against Kent State will be almost as experienced as the unit we started for Wake Forest in 2007. Take a look.

Combined starts of Cherilus, Poles, Tennant, Ramsey and Castonzo prior to Wake Forest 2007: 50


Combined starts of Castonzo, Tennant, Ramsey (and anyone else) prior to the Kent State 2008 = 41

In addition to that real time in the trenches, this unit has spent most (or all in some cases) of their time at BC in this zone scheme. Last year much of the oline practice time was spent unlearning old habits. We still have questions about two positions, but given how well Castonzo and Tennant played last year, I am not worried about a new starter emerging.

The players
C - Matt Tennant, JR, 6’4, 284lbs
G – Clif Ramsey, SR, 6’6, 302lbs
T — Anthony Castonzo, SO, 6’7, 272lbs
G – Thomas Claiborne, SO, 6’3, 330lbs
T – Rich Lapham, SO, 6’8, 324lbs
G/T – John Elliott, FR, 6’4, 280lbs
G/T – Pat Sheil, JR, 6’6, 283lbs
C – Bryan Murphy, SR, 6’3, 280lbs
G – Nick Rossi, JR, 6’6, 294lbs
G/T – Nathan Richman, FR, 6’6, 274lbs
G/T – Mark Spinney, FR, 6’4, 273lbs
G/T – Nick Schepis, FR, 6’4, 280lbs


Castonzo is getting most of the preseason pub and with good reason. He started as a true freshmen and played well. Although he struggled with speed rushers (most notably against Virginia Tec), he was very good in the run game. Can Castonzo transition to the left side? With Cherilus’ struggles fresh in our minds, it is a fair question. I think he’ll do well. In part because of the versatility he’s shown so far and in part because of coaching. Ramsey was used in a variety of positions in the spring. The consensus seems to be that he’ll play Left Guard. After a rough start early in the year, Ramsey finished the season strong. Not only was he making his blocks, he also began covering other’s mistakes. He should be good on the left side. Tennant was very consistent and probably the best run blocker. I expect him to have an all ACC type year. The other spots are TBD. Claiborne is the favorite for the RG spot. He’s slimmed down and supposedly has been very good on the offensive side of the ball. Rich Lapham is expected to play RT. Like Claiborne, he’s slimmed down and made huge strides to adapt to the new style of play. The other players are somewhat interchangeable and will all be used depending on injuries. Sheil was once highly touted yet can’t seem to get on the field. I’ve heard good things about the play of Richman and Elliott. Rossi moved over from the defensive side (where he was a pleasant surprise). Schepis has battled injuries and is questionable going into summer camps.


Outlook
Due to other changes on the offensive side of the ball, it might be difficult to measure the success of the oline this year. Even if we are not explosive in the running game and even if Crane struggles, the line could improve from last season. What I hope to see is consistent push from the zone blocking and decent pass protection. Last year the offensive line was a question mark heading into the season and a liability at various times during the season. This year it should not be either.

2008 Position Previews: Running Backs

This is the second part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.


RUNNING BACKS
The move to the zone blocking scheme was supposed to re-energize BC’s once mighty rushing attack. Though the scheme changed, the productivity didn’t. BC averaged 3.4 yards a game in TOB’s last year. We averaged 3.4 yards per carry last season. This year the running game becomes that much more important…just as BC is nearly replacing its whole backfield.

Overview
I would be more concerned about our lack of experience in the backfield if we hadn’t gone through this just a few seasons ago. Think back to 2004. Our most experienced running back that season was Jeff (a.k.a. Survival) Ross, who entered 2004 with a whopping seven carries for 33 yards. A trio of freshmen (Callender, Brooks and Whitworth) filled the void adequately. This year BC will rely on a pack of freshmen again.

Although it is just a glorified scrimmage, the Spring Game did provide a glimpse into how BC will run this year. First, I think you’ll see more rushing attempts. Last season we passed 61% of the time. (As a reference point we passed 51% of the time in TOB’s final year.) I imagine the staple play will be the draw/spread read from the shotgun (you’ve seen it as part of West Virginia and Florida’s offense). But I also think you’ll see a variety of plays that emphasize the varied talents of the freshmen and take advantage of the stretch plays available in the zone scheme.

Replacing our departed’s yards per carry shouldn’t be hard. The challenge will be who can fill the void left in the passing game. Callender was a game-changer out of the backfield. I expect the swings and screens will remain part of the offense, I just don’t know which one of these newbies will step up.


The Players
FB – James McCluskey, SO, 6’2, 231lbs
TB – Dan Mulrooney, SO, 6’1, 197lbs
TB – Josh Haden, FR, 5’8, 190lbs
TB – Montel Harris, FR, 5’9, 195lbs
TB – Eric Reynolds, FR, 5’10, 195lbs
TB – Jerry Kelly, FR, 6’0, 220lbs


McCluskey returns as the leading rusher from last season. He carried the ball eight times for 14 yards and three touchdowns. I think he’ll get more carries this year, but will not be a feature back. Don’t be surprised if he is occasionally used as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Dan Mulrooney spent time on special teams and defense last year. He moved to the offensive side for depth reasons and looked decent in the spring. If the freshmen step up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mulrooney flip back to defense eventually. Haden was the prized recruit of his class and has been on campus since January. That should give him a leg up vs. his fellow freshmen. He is a bit undersized, but small backs have thrived in this type of scheme before. If he is the primary back, will he hold up? Jerry Kelly is another signee likely to play as a true freshmen. The largest of the recent commits, he can provide a nice change of pace to the smaller guys in the mix. Reynolds and Harris were well regarded recruits with similar frames. I imagine one will get regular playing time. I wonder where the other would fit in. I don’t think Jags wants to play all four freshmen. Redshirting one would help depth and recruiting in future seasons.

Outlook
I think the rushing game will improve beyond the 3.4 yards per carry. I also think at least one of the frosh will break out and become a big play threat. My biggest concern? Pass protection. Last year Callender was very important in blitz pickup. Can an untested played do the same?

Though unproven and raw, this group should excite most BC fans. I think there is enough diversity and talent to be effective. I also think the progression to Logan’s preferred offense will provide more balance.

If the running backs are decent, we’ll be okay. If any of them are great, we’ll be one of the surprise teams in college football.

2008 Position Previews: Linebackers

This is the first part of my position by position breakdown of the 2008 roster.


LINEBACKERS

Once again the strength of the defense will be the linebackers. Despite losing two starters to graduation, the unit should be our deepest and most talented.


Overview
The cliché regarding Spaz’s defenses is that he uses the same scheme regardless of personnel, opponent or game situation. That’s not true. Increasingly he’s used more variety in his front seven packages and sent blitzers from various positions. The old dog has been able to add new tricks due to the talented and diverse group of linebackers. This year is no exception. In fact, BC has one of the most experienced units in college football. Take a look:

Toal – 36 games played, 25 games started
Akins – 39 games played, 5 games started
Herzlich – 27 games played, 16 games started
Francois – 38 games played, 7 started
McLaughlin – 23 games played, 3 started

Those five are just the LBs who have started. We are also adding some younger players into the mix. The depth and talent should allow Spaz to continue to tinker and keep BC competitive as our offense transitions.

The Players
LB – Brian Toal, SR, 6’0, 252lbs
LB – Mark Herzlich, JR, 6’4, 238lbs
LB – Kevin Akins, SR, 6’2, 220lbs
LB – Robert Francois, SR, 6’2, 245lbs
LB – Mike McLaughlin, JR, 6’0, 250lbs
LB – Darius Bagan, SO, 6’2, 233lbs
LB – Dan Williams, FR, 6’2, 224lbs
LB – Will Thompson, FR, 6’1, 233lbs
LB – Mike Morrissey, SO, 6’2, 210lbs
LB – Nick Clancy, FR, 6’2, 215lbs
LB – Alex DiSanzo, FR, 6’2, 220lbs

I am hoping a healthy rejuvenated Toal comes back and has a huge year. When fit and focused he is probably our best linebacker in pass coverage and just as capable as running a QB down. Herzlich is a beast and also very savvy. I expect him to have an all ACC season. Akins struggled early last year but played very well down the stretch. His effectiveness as a late blitzer was somewhat neutered last season…teams just expected and protected against it. This year – with an even better front four – should allow Akins to run at QBs again. Francois is always a steady performer. At this point I don’t expect a leap in his performance, but his consistency will be an asset this season. McLaughlin is a decent tackler. In all his playing time, he has not yet had a game changing moment, but he is a serviceable player. Morrissey got on the field on a regular basis last season. I don’t know where he fits into the mix this year. The real unknowns are Williams, Bagan and Thompson. All were highly touted recruits. Hopefully they will all get regular playing time this season as they will be critical to filling voids in 2009. Clancy and DiSanzo are true freshmen. Because of the depth we don’t need to play them this year. If they are capable, one or both might play this season.

Outlook
Even if you exclude the true freshmen, there is more than enough talent at linebacker this year. It is to the point where guys like Morrissey and McLaughlin might have fewer snaps than they played last year (a good problem to have).

Overlooked in all of this is that LB is one of our best coached positions. Credit goes to Bill McGovern for their performance.

The preseason magazines are filled with the “best this” and the “best that.” You won’t read much nationally about of our guys in the middle. That’s too bad as they will be what holds this team together in 2008.

2007 Position Previews: Defensive Line

This is the eighth part of my position by position breakdown of the 2007 roster.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The strength of the defense will be the linebackers. But there is plenty of upside on the defensive line. BC has good depth and a few playmakers who could be All Conference.

Overview
BC is in the unique position of sending out a deep, young yet experienced line. Larkin and Raji are Seniors and Brace and Willette are Juniors but everyone else on the two deep is an underclassman and the sophmores all have significant playing time under their belts. Take a look.

Austin Giles – played in all 13 games
Nick Rossi – played in 2 games
Jim Ramella – played in 12 games in 2005. Medical Redshirt in 2006
Allan Smith – played in all 13 games
Brendan Deska – played in 9 games
Alex Albright – played in all 13 games
Brady Smith – played in 12 games

With Spaz coming back, I think you’ll see a continuous rotation on the defensive line. Last year all of the above guys saw the field. This helps keep guys fresh and allows BC to put pressure on the opposing QB with less blitzing.


The Players
DT – BJ Raji, SR, 6’1, 325lbs
DT – Ron Brace, JR, 6’3, 325lbs
DE – Nick Larkin, SR, 6’4, 241
DE – strong>Allan Smith, SO, 6’2, 237lbs
DE – Jim Ramella, SO, 6’4, 247lbs
DE – Austin Giles, SO, 6’3, 291lbs
DE – Alex Albright, SO, 6’5, 235lbs
DT – Jerry Willette, JR, 6’5, 282lbs
DT – Nick Rossi, SO, 6’6, 294lbs
DT – Brendan Deska, SO, 6’5, 250lbs
DT – Thomas Claiborne, FR, 6’3, 330lbs
DE – Corey Eason, FR, 6’5, 247lbs
DT - Damik Scafe, FR, 6’3, 305lbs


Raji is the most significant player of the front line. He is very agile and quick for his size. He was guilty for taking a play or two off last year. Hopefully his slimmed down frame will give him the needed endurance. His partner at DT is Ron Brace. Another heavyweight who has slimmed down, Brace should be productive this year. Larkin is a steady performer but has never really had a breakout game or season. He’s dependable and will hopefully improve his pass rushing this year. Ramella is back after a long recovery from shoulder problems. He showed good football IQ as a true freshman in 2005. If he can regain his form he should be a very good player this year. Alex Albright was one of the surprises last year. I expect continued improvement from him. Allan Smith had a good offseason and has put on a little more weight this year. Brady Smith started at times last year but also had the occasional detour into the coaching doghouse. He'll be one of the player who benefits from a new position coach. Willette is serviceable and improved as the season progressed last year. Rossi and Deska will probably see more sideline than field this year. Claiborne seemed very heavy last year. Hopefully he has some mobility. Scafe is another guy who may or may not play. Eason was a highly sought after recruit. I don’t know if he will redshirt.

Outlook
If even half the super sophomores get better this unit will kick ass this year. Raji seems motivated to prove he is an NFL tackle. Brace and Larkin are steady performers. I think this might be our best defensive line since 2004.