Ryan headed to the Jersey Shore and other links

Ryan is resting up after a wild two months.

Tyrese Rice is ranked as one of the Top 100 NBA prospects. That would mean something if the NBA drafted more than 100 guys. For now all that matters is being a first round draft pick. Rice has a chance to be one, but needs a strong season.

Here's a nice story on future BC baseball player Anthony Melchionda.

BC's cheering section just got bigger

Baby girl ATL_eagle No. 2 entered the world Monday morning. Mrs. ATL and the new girl are both doing well. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.

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.

Newton turns to BC for more money

[Disclaimer: this is a non sports post, and yes my perspective is skewed as a BC alum living in suburban Atlanta. That said, I would feel the same way if I lived in Newton or if I was across the street from a major university.]

According to the Globe, Newton is facing a budget shortfall and looking to BC to help fill the gap. While I am all for being a good neighbor, BC should be very careful in how and what they do. Given the political climate in Massachusetts, BC should not allow for any precedent for taxes on their property or endowment. If BC agrees to any additional payments, it should be under specific terms and in exchange for leeway in the development plans and on-campus activities. As a reminder: Newton is the reason we can't have more night events on campus (specifically Thursday night ESPN football games). Newton is also the reason most of the new buildings are on lower campus and not near College Road. (I wonder how much of Newton's shortfalls can be traced back to frivolous lawsuits they've had against BC over the years?) If BC bails out Newton, they better get something concrete in return.

I love the Boston area and Massachusetts, but the growing sentiment to go after the schools is very disconcerting, short-sighted and dangerous. This editorial lays out my fear. The higher-education industry is one of the stabilizing forces in the area. Attacking BC and the other schools with new taxes puts them at a disadvantage. If these schools become less desirable (because of costs or value) then their endowments, their investments in the community, and their staffs will suffer. That hurts Massachusetts.

The not in my backyard mentality and soak the rich (in this case rich school) is never a good long-term solution. BC should use this moment to do some good for our neighbors, heal their relationship with Newton, and change the perception of the school within the community.

Eric Reynolds is not coming to BC

Freshman to be Eric Reynolds will not be joining his fellow recruits this summer at BC. Instead he will play college football closer to his Pennsylvania home at Temple. The Reynolds' rumors had been floating for a few days. Rivals confirmed it on their message boards Friday. Don't expect much of an explanation from BC. Supposedly depth chart issues, off the field issues and admissions issues all contributed to Reynolds playing somewhere else.

This probably won't have much of an impact on the field or on this season. The already crowded backfield needed a shakeout and Reynolds was a likely candidate to redshirt. Best of luck to the kid.

White Maroon & Gold House and other links

The Hockey team enjoyed their time in Washington.

BC is still after Virginia lineman Jay Weatherington.

This link is Michigan focused, but provides some insight into the zone stretch play we will use this year.

We have interest in Florida WR Kenny Whittaker.

The NFL gossip around Cherilus and other links

If the Lions or other NFL teams didn't know about Cherilus, they are living under a rock. A basic google search would have kept them up to date. If NFL scouts suspected more, they had two separate coaching staffs (BC and NC State) as potential resources. This gripe rings really hollow to me.

New commit Sterlin Phipher coach had a few comments on Sterlin's decision.

BC was mentioned in this overview of Finley Dunne's Tavern in Chicago. See, our gamewatches make a difference!

SMQ takes a deeper look at our future opponent Georgia Tech. Like everyone else, SMQ thinks it will take some time to adjust to the new offense. Keeping with the previews, here's a look at Clemson.

Here's a radio interview with Matt Ryan.

Some BC Guys put together a funny freshmen orientation parody.

Cherilus and Tribble episode over and other links

Cherilus and Tribble both agreed to probation on their bar fight arrest. Gos is also out $52,000 as part of the ruling. Now the guys just have to keep their noses clean. Because Bob Hohler wrote the article, he had to include an unrelated note about Brady Smith.

Here is Father Leahy's official letter regarding the campus expansion.

SMQ provides a great preview of Virginia Tech.

Former Eagle Tim Bulman never gave up on his NFL dream.

Bleacher Report gives Clif Ramsey some all-ACC accolades.

Jags grabs another recruit

Virginia product Sterlin Phifer committed to BC Tuesday. Another nice pick up. I am also glad to see BC making more inroads into traditional ACC country like southeast Virginia.

Blogging without an editor

Norvface's correction in my last post reminded me to thank all my readers for their support and understanding. I apologize in advance for malaprops, typos and weird blogger spellcheck corrections. I am a one-man band and write these things at night, often while a little punchy. Hurried posting also contributes to mistakes. Ever to excel when it comes to better copy, but I hope you guys understand.

Know your opponents: Quarterback edition

The past few seasons, Notre Dame blog Blue-Gray Sky has eschewed team-by-team previews and instead grouped opponent previews by position. I am ripping off honoring their idea with the BC version.

1. Wake Forest -- Riley Skinner. 2007: 2204 passing yards, 72.4 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Junior
Returning Starter

BC knocked Skinner out of the season opener last year. Despite his rough start, he put together another very good season. Skinner is very effective in the offense and has led the Deacs to two straight bowls. Entering the season you have to wonder if Skinner’s strange offseason will provide any distractions once play begins. I think Skinner will put the embarrassment behind him and be the best QB in the conference. His backup is Brett Hodges (who saw a little time against BC).


2. Notre Dame -- Jimmy Clausen. 2007: 1,254 passing yards, 56.3 completion percentage, 7 touchdowns, six interceptions.
Sophomore
Returning Starter

Clausen was the uber recruit of his class. He arrived in South Bend with almost as much hype as Ron Powlus. However an injury and a porous offensive line kept him from filling the void left by Brady Quinn. Because of the hype surrounding Clausen, fans reveled in his failure. I actually think Clausen showed potential in our game. Assuming he adjusts to the pace of the game this season and their offensive line improves, I expect him to have a much better year. Clausen can sit in the pocket and Notre Dame has added more weapons around him. He can make all the throws. Evan Sharpley returns as Clausen’s likely backup.

3. Virginia Tech -- Sean Glennon. 2007: 1,796 passing yards, 60.9 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, five interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter

Every preview of Virginia Tech has them confidently at the top of their division. Yet no one has a clear understanding of how their QB situation will play out. After last season’s ACC Championship game win, you’d think that Glennon would be the sure incumbent. Was his late season play a sign of maturity or will he revert to the dear in headlights QB that BC saw in 2006? The backup Tyrod Taylor is the hope, savior, new Vick, yet looked very ordinary last year. Regardless if they split time or one wrests the job away from the other, I think Virginia Tech will get decent production from their QB this year.

4. Clemson -- Cullen Harper. 2007: 2,991 passing yards, 65.1 completion percentage, 27 touchdowns, six interceptions
Senior
Returning Starter

Maybe I am a little overly sensitive to all the “Harper was better than Ryan” talk, but I think Clemson’s QB might be the most overrated guy in the conference. He’s solid but unspectacular. In my opinion he’s a real beneficiary of the game-breaking talent around him and an offense that produces efficient and risk averse passing. Willy Korn is his talented backup. To me the key to beating Clemson is stopping the run game, not getting to Harper.

5. Florida State -- Drew Weatherford. 2007: 2,049 passing yards, 56.9 completion percentage, nine touchdowns, three interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter

For the first time in his career Weatherford is not in a QB controversy. Xavier Lee, his foil the past three years, is gone. Weatherford is the statuesque pocket passer with the big arm. Even as he picked BC apart last season, I’ve never been that impressed with him. If BC can actually get to him this year, we should neutralize some of his big plays. If Weatherford succumbs to injury again, Christian Ponder and super recruit EJ Manuel will be called on to fill his shoes.

6. North Carolina -- TJ Yates. 2007: 2,655 passing yards, 59.7 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, 18 interceptions.
Sophomore
Returning Starter

The lanky Yates made some all-freshmen teams last year. He doesn’t have a big arm, but was able to move the ball. He also took a beating in the pocket. As their line improves and his decision making gets better, Yates’ numbers should improve. If he doesn’t progress, look for freshman Mike Paulus to get on the field.

7. Central Florida -- Michael Greco Jr. 2007: 303 passing yards, 53.3 completion percentage, zero touchdowns, one interception.
Junior
New starter

Greco is the expected starter. A one time NC State recruit, he took a detour through Junior College before heading to Central Florida. Greco moves well for his size and can tuck it and run if needed. If Greco doesn’t step up Central Florida is likely to go with Joe Weatherford – Drew’s younger brother. He’s less mobile than Greco and an untested redshirt freshmen.

8. Kent State -- Julian Edelmen. 2007: 1,318 passing yards, 51.9 completion percentage, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter

Edelmen can run. He netted 455 yards on the ground last year and ran in two TDs. He suffered two big injuries in an abbreviated season last year. The rash of injuries Kent State went through last season gives them decent depth heading into this season. Anthony Magazu and Georgio Morgan will fight for the back up spot. Kent State’s QBs are asked to do many of the things BC will do this year: run, throw on rollouts, use the option.

9. Maryland -- Josh Portis 2007: Did not play.
Junior
New Starter


Maryland is one of a few BC opponents that will have a QB battle well into summer practice. Jordan Steffy, who suffered from concussions last year, is back and hoping to reclaim the starter role. Chris Turner, who had a career night against BC, is also back. But both are expected to step aside as Josh Portis finally takes snaps in College Park. Portis played at Florida as a true freshmen, but then bailed when Tim Tebow arrived. Despite off the field issues, Friedgen is ready to turn it over to him. His size and running ability is supposed to give Maryland’s offense a dynamic they haven’t had in years.

10. NC State -- Daniel Evans. 2007: 2,030 passing yards, 57.2 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter

Yes, Daniel Evans is still around. The side-arming Cinderella who beat BC on a late throw in 2006 returns for his final go around. He’s yo-yo’d in and out of the lineup in his time at NC State. As BC fans know, he does just enough to beat you yet can also make real boneheaded mistakes. Justin Burke and Harrison Beck will also compete for the starting role. Mike Glennon, the first prototypical TOB QB at NC State, will also be on campus. If TOB stick to the script, Glennon will redshirt this year.


11. Georgia Tech -- Josh Nesbitt. 2007: 93 passing yards, 38.5 completion percentage, one touchdown, two interceptions.
Sophomore
New Starter

No offense will look more different from 2007 than Georgia Tech. We have no idea who will start either. Nesbitt is penciled in for now. Calvin Booker will also be in the mix. Neither will pass much, but that is not what they are asked to do in Paul Johnson’s system. Instead the difficulty comes in reading the D’s run defense and knowing when to hang on and when to pitch…all while taking a real beating. This year will be rough for whoever gets the call as QB.

12. Rhode Island -- Derek Cassidy. 2007: 1,020 passing yards, 49.7 completion percentage, five touchdowns, six interceptions.
Senior
New Starter

Cassidy is experienced, having started most of the past two seasons. So he’s got that going for him. That’s about it though. His stats and Rhode Island’s success are lacking. He’s been sacked a lot. If BC can’t shut him down, then we will have some serious questions about our season.

ESPN Bowl predictions and other stuff

It is never too early for bowl predictions. This one is actually close to what I would predict. Those who attended our last bowl in San Fran had a great time.

It's good to be the champ (and married to the coaches daughter): Chris Snee got a new contract.

Josh Beekman hopes to start this season.

Jared Dudley provides a scouting report on Sean Singletary.

SI's look at college recruiting

SI.com's Andy Staples put together a solid multi-part series on college football recruiting that is worth the read. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). It is a reminder of how much salesmanship goes into the process. If BC does have a ceiling in football, it really would come down to recruiting. Our fans, our culture, and our history will never fully embrace some of this nonsense. Does that mean we can't win it all? No. But it probably keeps us from being a perennial Top 5 program as long as the current system is in place.

One other note BC note from the series: BC self reported violations in the fledgling post war days of the NCAA. Six other schools also came forward as part of the "sinful seven." The resolution and punishment served as the foundation for many of the NCAA rules and regulations we have today.

More on O'Shea and other links

It may seem like I am focusing an inordinate amount of time on Tim O'Shea's move to Bryant, but it does have BC ramifications. While it was never his job to have, many assumed that if Skinner were to ever leave BC, O'Shea would be the prime candidate to replace Al. Now that he has taken himself from a mid-major program to a school making the jump to DI, O'Shea's path is on a different course. This is not meant to say that O'Shea couldn't or won't coach BC one day. He might. If he builds up Bryant it actually may enhance his resume. But the timing and the undertaking are curious. I also think that if O'Shea felt that BC job would be open in the next two or three years he would have stuck it out at Ohio. There are probably more factors in play than I can even speculate, but I take O'Shea's move as a sign that Skinner is safe with Gene and committed to BC.

Tyrese Rice is taking part in a Richmond summer league.

Incoming Eagles Isaac Johnson, Nick Halloran and Mike Stone all took part in the last week's Shriner Classic.

Phil Steele’s Cliffs Notes: Notre Dame

Steele loves the Irish. I know most fans think the gushing is a pure play to sell more magazines, but I actually agree with him on this one. Like Steele, I believe a soft schedule and a jelling group of young talent will spark another Notre Dame “return to glory.”

Here are some of the reasons Steele is high on the Irish.

Nuggets and notes of interest
-- The Irish have nine offensive starters returning and seven defensive starters returning. They also have 37 lettermen coming back.
-- Charlie Weis is 17-13 vs BCS teams
-- Weis is 10-4 as the away team.
-- Last year Notre Dame was neutral in the turnover margin
-- They have the 67th most difficult schedule
-- Notre Dame average 75 yards rushing per game. Statistically it was the worse rushing game in Notre Dame history.
-- Steele ranks their running backs as the 23rd best group in the country.
-- He predicts they’ll play Florida State in the Gator Bowl.
-- Notre Dame is No. 1 on his most improved list
-- Notre Dame is No. 19 in his rankings
-- According to Steele, the Irish have the No. 1 group of incoming freshman
-- They finished 93rd in his special indexing in 2007
-- They are 24th in his power poll
-- He projects them to have the 9th best pass defense in 2008
-- They are expected to be the most improved in scoring offense this year.

Et tu, HBO?

HBO is producing a documentary on the Duke-North Carolina rivalry. It is bad enough that ESPN and all its tentacles put the Blue Devils and Heels above all other programs, but now one of the leading ESPN alternatives is continuing this larger (and largely unchallenged) media narrative. Like all other HBO docs, I am sure it will be good. I just wish they had picked a different subject.

From a BC perspective, the Duke-UNC thing is a double-edged sword. We benefit financially due to our conference partnership. The flip side is that we and nine other schools play second fiddle when it comes to perception amongst the media, fans and recruits.

Flutie gets a statue and other links

BC will unveil a statue of Flutie outside of Alumni this fall. Long overdue in my opinion.

Louis Hinnant had some good things to say about BC in this interview.

This new deal will allow you to add all sorts of widgets and game enhancers ACC/Raycom broadcasts.

A good story about a BC guy and other links

The Globe featured a story on incoming freshman Brendan Grimes. Sad story with a nice ending and definitely worth the read.

This article takes us through Cam Atkinson's draft day experience. Atkinson still plans on coming to BC to play for Jerry York.

ACC Nation predicts us to finish at the bottom of the ACC Atlantic.

Hockey team goes to Washington and other links

Our National Championship hockey team will be part of a Rose Garden celebration at the White House this Tuesday. Three BC hockey players were selected in the NHL Draft this weekend. (Thanks to Bob for the heads up.)

Tyrese knows he has to broaden his game to impress NBA scouts next season. (Thanks to Frank and Adam for the link.)

Rivals slotted us at No. 44 in their preseason rankings. This statistical look sees us at the bottom of the ACC Atlantic.

Here's more on Jimmy Noel's commitment. Noel's high school coach gave the Herald some background on the signing.

ACC writer J.P. Giglio predicts an 8th place finish for our basketball team.

Tim O'Shea is taking a paycut by moving east for the Bryant job. His motivation may truly be geography.

I think North Carolina will be good this year. The New York Times disagrees.

Noel commits and other links

Everett product Jimmy Noel became the latest addition to this year's recruiting class. Noel's former teammate and future Eagle Isaac Johnson is taking part in the Shriners Football Classic.

Here's the NYT preview for Georgia Tech. Fortunately we play them early in the year. I think they'll get much better once they get a good handle on their new offense.

In a curious move, BC guy Tim O'Shea left Ohio University to take over the head job at Bryant.

SMQ takes a look at Clemson. Is this finally Tommy Bowden's year?