By the end of the day Wednesday, the rumors that Dave Brock was out as the offensive coordinator were proven false... to an extent. As it turned out, the position of Boston College offensive coordinator was offered to Virginia running backs coach Mike Faragalli. And Faragalli turned it down. This is good, in that it should keep Brock as the offensive coordinator, allowing for consistency and further player development under one system. But at the same time, this is not a good sign.
To state again, Mike Faragalli was offered the offensive coordinator position and turned it down in favor of remaining the running backs coach at Virginia. Now, I know that Faragalli and UVa head coach Mike London have worked together for a long time and perhaps that influenced his decision, but Faragalli decided that being running backs coach at Virginia was a better opportunity and a better job than being the offensive coordinator at Boston College.
There are only 120 total offensive coordinator positions available in all of Division 1 football. That number shrinks dramatically when you consider AQ conferences only. Furthermore, only a handful of those jobs become available each year. Being the offensive coordinator at a major Division 1 school is a great opportunity and can be, and often is, used as the jumping off point for a job as a head coach. Faragalli was given that opportunity and turned it down, which for Boston College fans should be taken as a bad sign. This means that the job as BC OC is not a desirable one. There is much uncertainty right now that surrounds that position, not just because the staff could very well be gone in a year, but also because of what type of team a new OC could inherit. I do believe that defections are coming, and Faragalli's decision to turndown the job suggests the same.
This event also speaks volumes to the current perception of BC in the college football world. Many in the blogosphere have said that Gene's meddling in the football program, his reputation as "Coach Flip," would turn off many potential coaching candidates who would not want to be micromanaged. This is an example of that. With the sudden removal of Jags, as much the result of a power trip as anything else, as well as the departure of Tranquill, then Rogers, and now nearly Brock, BC seems like a revolving door where one misstep could land a coach on the curb. Other coaches see this and realize that BC is not a good place to be working right now. Gene has so mismanaged the football program that, what should be a very desirable place to coach, is now almost toxic. Faragalli's decision to turn down the offensive coordinator position should evidence this. Boston College is a place coaches should want to come coach at, instead it is beginning to be viewed as a place to avoid.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Dave Brock Out?
Rumors have popped up today on a few of the message boards that Dave Brock, who took over duties as offensive coordinator when Kevin Rogers left for "medical reasons" after the UCF game, may no longer serve as the offensive coordinator. A rumor popped up today that Mike Faragalli, current running backs coach at the University of Virginia will be taking over as offensive coordinator for the 2012 season.
Again, these are only rumors that have been circulating on a few of the message boards today. True or not, it concerns me that this is even a rumor. If true, Faragalli will represent the third fourth offensive coordinator for BC in as many years. This is not good. Each offensive coordinator brings with them a different style and different type of play that they need to teach to the players they coach. This prevents the players from getting into a groove and getting comfortable with the offense that they are being taught; they have to unlearn one system and relearn a whole new type of play.
Furthermore, this possible change represents more meddling from the athletic department. Dave Brock did an okay job as offensive coordinator when he took over after the Central Florida game. He structured the play calling to the strengths of the offense and put the players in as much a position to succeed as he could. To this blogger, there seems to be no good reason to remove him from this position. Brock did an okay job this season and with an entire off season to teach his system to the offense, the team could have met with great success next year. However, this does not seem to be the case and instead of stability and continuity the team will once again face a coaching change for the third time in a year.
If this rumor does pan out and Brock is out as the offensive coordinator, I hope that he at least stays on the staff. Brock recruited important players on this team, including Chase Rettig and Christian Suntrup. If Brock stayed on, I would like to see him as the quarterbacks coach, giving him an opportunity to fine tune the quarterbacks he recruited.
Only time will tell.
Again, these are only rumors that have been circulating on a few of the message boards today. True or not, it concerns me that this is even a rumor. If true, Faragalli will represent the third fourth offensive coordinator for BC in as many years. This is not good. Each offensive coordinator brings with them a different style and different type of play that they need to teach to the players they coach. This prevents the players from getting into a groove and getting comfortable with the offense that they are being taught; they have to unlearn one system and relearn a whole new type of play.
Furthermore, this possible change represents more meddling from the athletic department. Dave Brock did an okay job as offensive coordinator when he took over after the Central Florida game. He structured the play calling to the strengths of the offense and put the players in as much a position to succeed as he could. To this blogger, there seems to be no good reason to remove him from this position. Brock did an okay job this season and with an entire off season to teach his system to the offense, the team could have met with great success next year. However, this does not seem to be the case and instead of stability and continuity the team will once again face a coaching change for the third time in a year.
If this rumor does pan out and Brock is out as the offensive coordinator, I hope that he at least stays on the staff. Brock recruited important players on this team, including Chase Rettig and Christian Suntrup. If Brock stayed on, I would like to see him as the quarterbacks coach, giving him an opportunity to fine tune the quarterbacks he recruited.
Only time will tell.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Kuechly Wins the Butkus
Congratulations to Luke Kuechly on winning the Butkus Award given for the naiton's top linbacker. Luke was presented the award by Dick Butkus himself at an awards banquet this weekend.
Again, congratulations Luke, you certainly deserve it.
Again, congratulations Luke, you certainly deserve it.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Another Matrix to Measure Spaz's Shortcomings
This week, the ACC announced it's All- Conference teams. Not surprisingly, Luke Kuechly was a unanimous selection for the All- ACC First Team Defense. The first of what is sure to be many more accolades as the college football season comes to a close. Luke certainly deserves this credit and after his snub as a finalist for the Bednarik Award, for the nation's top defensive player, it is good to see Luke get recognition for his outstanding play on the field.
It occurred to me then, that the All- ACC team could be a different light to view the shortcomings of Frank Spaziani's stint as head coach. Looking into the archives of the ACC's website, I discovered another trend that points to Spaz's inability as a head coach at this level: the number of Boston College players selected as All- ACC players.
2005- 7 Eagles named All- ACC selections, either first or second team or honorable mention
2006- 7
2007- 10
2008- 9
2009- 7
2010- 4
2011- 1
The high water mark for BC players as All- ACC selections was, not surprisingly, 2007, Jagodzinski's first year and the first year we made it to the ACC Championship with Matt Ryan. In 2008, there is not a huge drop off in All- ACC selections for BC. In Spaz's first year as head coach, the number of BC players included on the lists drops to 7, which still is not bad and is actually in line with what Tom O'Brien was able to produce in his two years as an ACC coach at BC. However, the sharp drop off begins in Spaz's second year as head coach, the year that I think many people began to realize that Spaz was not the person that was going to lead BC to the next level or produce championship winning teams. Just four BC players were All- ACC selections in 2010 including Luke, Montel Harris, and Anthony Castonzo.
Which brings us to this year, 2011, where just one lone BC player was named an All- ACC selection. Now many people could make the argument that if he had been healthy and had played, that Montel would have been a shoe-in for the All- ACC team. This of course is very true. In 2009, Montel was second team All- ACC and in 2010 was a unanimous first team selection. However, even if you include a healthy Montel in this year's All- ACC team, that is still only two BC players included on those lists, which is unacceptable when you consider that even Tom O'Brien was able to put seven players on All- ACC teams.
What this downward trend says to me is that BC football players are not being put into a position where they can successfully compete against our ACC competition. Even looking at the ACC teams we beat this season, NC State had seven All- ACC selections and Maryland and Miami each had two. Again, these are each teams that BC beat this season, and yet they are producing more All- ACC talent than BC. Furthermore, our players are not being developed to a point where they can succeed, they are not being put into a position to succeed by our coaching staff. Over the past six years, Boston College players have been mainstays on the All- ACC teams. Some of those players have been standouts such as Matt Ryan, Mathias Kiwanuka, Montel Harris, and Mark Herzlich. But those past ACC teams have also included names like Purvis, Chellenger, Beekman, Claiborne, Blackmon and Callendar, each excellent players in their own right, but also players who were coached into a position where they could stand out among all the football players in the ACC. Spaz has brought BC football to a position where just one player, who would be a standout on any team, is able to stand out among all ACC players. This is just another example to show that Coach Spaziani is not the future of BC football.
It occurred to me then, that the All- ACC team could be a different light to view the shortcomings of Frank Spaziani's stint as head coach. Looking into the archives of the ACC's website, I discovered another trend that points to Spaz's inability as a head coach at this level: the number of Boston College players selected as All- ACC players.
2005- 7 Eagles named All- ACC selections, either first or second team or honorable mention
2006- 7
2007- 10
2008- 9
2009- 7
2010- 4
2011- 1
The high water mark for BC players as All- ACC selections was, not surprisingly, 2007, Jagodzinski's first year and the first year we made it to the ACC Championship with Matt Ryan. In 2008, there is not a huge drop off in All- ACC selections for BC. In Spaz's first year as head coach, the number of BC players included on the lists drops to 7, which still is not bad and is actually in line with what Tom O'Brien was able to produce in his two years as an ACC coach at BC. However, the sharp drop off begins in Spaz's second year as head coach, the year that I think many people began to realize that Spaz was not the person that was going to lead BC to the next level or produce championship winning teams. Just four BC players were All- ACC selections in 2010 including Luke, Montel Harris, and Anthony Castonzo.
Which brings us to this year, 2011, where just one lone BC player was named an All- ACC selection. Now many people could make the argument that if he had been healthy and had played, that Montel would have been a shoe-in for the All- ACC team. This of course is very true. In 2009, Montel was second team All- ACC and in 2010 was a unanimous first team selection. However, even if you include a healthy Montel in this year's All- ACC team, that is still only two BC players included on those lists, which is unacceptable when you consider that even Tom O'Brien was able to put seven players on All- ACC teams.
What this downward trend says to me is that BC football players are not being put into a position where they can successfully compete against our ACC competition. Even looking at the ACC teams we beat this season, NC State had seven All- ACC selections and Maryland and Miami each had two. Again, these are each teams that BC beat this season, and yet they are producing more All- ACC talent than BC. Furthermore, our players are not being developed to a point where they can succeed, they are not being put into a position to succeed by our coaching staff. Over the past six years, Boston College players have been mainstays on the All- ACC teams. Some of those players have been standouts such as Matt Ryan, Mathias Kiwanuka, Montel Harris, and Mark Herzlich. But those past ACC teams have also included names like Purvis, Chellenger, Beekman, Claiborne, Blackmon and Callendar, each excellent players in their own right, but also players who were coached into a position where they could stand out among all the football players in the ACC. Spaz has brought BC football to a position where just one player, who would be a standout on any team, is able to stand out among all ACC players. This is just another example to show that Coach Spaziani is not the future of BC football.
Monday, November 28, 2011
A Good Finish
For the first time since 1984, BC defeated Miami at home. For the first time this season, everything seemed to come together for BC in this game. The running was good, the passing was great, and the defense was stellar. It was a great win and I am glad that the team could end the season on a high note and especially in Miami. You can say a lot of things about this team, but now you can also say they were the first BC team to win in Miami since Doug Flutie was playing.
The game started out I think the way most of us expected. Jacory Harris launched one to our own 20 to set up the first score of the game. I was watching at the BC gamewatch in New York and there was an audible sigh on that first play from scrimmage... "Here we go again." But then BC marched right back down the field, putting together a beautiful drive that ended in a pass from Rettig to Pantale for BC's first touchdown of the game. Our offense put together what I think was one of the truly complete games in a long while. Although I do think we left some points on the field you could not have asked more from Chase Rettig. Although we passed just 17 times out of 67 plays, Rettig went 13 for 17 and threw two of our three touchdowns. For the first time since the beginning of the season, Chase seemed comfortable in the pocket and the offensive line held up well enough to allow him to throw just four incompletions (though he did get sacked twice). Pantale was the star of the receivers, hauling in both of Rettig's touchdown passes. His second was particularly impresssive: a 32 yard touchdown pass from Rettig where he broke at least one tackle and outran the majority of the Miami secondary. The running was remarkably consistent. There were not very many big plays from the run game but our tailbacks kept the Miami defense on the field. Our 50 running plays can be attributed to our prevent offense that we went into as soon as we got up in the second half. This is also my only complaint from our offense this week, which isn't even their fault (thank you coaching staff). For better or worse, the prevent offense worked, especially since it was so consistent, however without the outstanding play of our defense, it very easily could have let Miami back into the game.
The defense played well. Beyond Harris' first play from scrimmage and Lamar Miller's 79 yard touchdown run, the defense was stout and limited the Miami offense. There is not much more to say than what the stat sheet does about how the defense played. They held Miami to 367 yards, 21 minutes of posession, oh, and force four interceptions, which nearly matched Jacory Harris' totaly for the season. In my opinion, this was the best game that the defense has played all season. And that, not the least of which, can be attributed to Luke Kuechly.
Over the past few weeks an argument on the message boards has been about where Luke Kuechly ranks among the best defensive players of BC. Where does he stand when up against names like Herzlich, Raji, and Kiwanuka? By and large the response was, Luke is not a game changer, but damn is he consistent. You can always count on him to register double digit tackles. That is true, except this week. Luke's interception return for a touchdown was a game changer. It put BC ahead for good and was a perfect way to cap off an already fantastic game for Luke.
There are a lot of questions for BC now that the season is over. Player turnover, coaching turnover, will Spaz be back are all questions that will be answered in the coming weeks and months. Regardless of those questions, BC still finished the season off with a great win against an old rival. The players fought hard and never gave up this season and deserved this win. With the long offseason ahead of us, its nice to go out on top of one.
The game started out I think the way most of us expected. Jacory Harris launched one to our own 20 to set up the first score of the game. I was watching at the BC gamewatch in New York and there was an audible sigh on that first play from scrimmage... "Here we go again." But then BC marched right back down the field, putting together a beautiful drive that ended in a pass from Rettig to Pantale for BC's first touchdown of the game. Our offense put together what I think was one of the truly complete games in a long while. Although I do think we left some points on the field you could not have asked more from Chase Rettig. Although we passed just 17 times out of 67 plays, Rettig went 13 for 17 and threw two of our three touchdowns. For the first time since the beginning of the season, Chase seemed comfortable in the pocket and the offensive line held up well enough to allow him to throw just four incompletions (though he did get sacked twice). Pantale was the star of the receivers, hauling in both of Rettig's touchdown passes. His second was particularly impresssive: a 32 yard touchdown pass from Rettig where he broke at least one tackle and outran the majority of the Miami secondary. The running was remarkably consistent. There were not very many big plays from the run game but our tailbacks kept the Miami defense on the field. Our 50 running plays can be attributed to our prevent offense that we went into as soon as we got up in the second half. This is also my only complaint from our offense this week, which isn't even their fault (thank you coaching staff). For better or worse, the prevent offense worked, especially since it was so consistent, however without the outstanding play of our defense, it very easily could have let Miami back into the game.
The defense played well. Beyond Harris' first play from scrimmage and Lamar Miller's 79 yard touchdown run, the defense was stout and limited the Miami offense. There is not much more to say than what the stat sheet does about how the defense played. They held Miami to 367 yards, 21 minutes of posession, oh, and force four interceptions, which nearly matched Jacory Harris' totaly for the season. In my opinion, this was the best game that the defense has played all season. And that, not the least of which, can be attributed to Luke Kuechly.
Over the past few weeks an argument on the message boards has been about where Luke Kuechly ranks among the best defensive players of BC. Where does he stand when up against names like Herzlich, Raji, and Kiwanuka? By and large the response was, Luke is not a game changer, but damn is he consistent. You can always count on him to register double digit tackles. That is true, except this week. Luke's interception return for a touchdown was a game changer. It put BC ahead for good and was a perfect way to cap off an already fantastic game for Luke.
There are a lot of questions for BC now that the season is over. Player turnover, coaching turnover, will Spaz be back are all questions that will be answered in the coming weeks and months. Regardless of those questions, BC still finished the season off with a great win against an old rival. The players fought hard and never gave up this season and deserved this win. With the long offseason ahead of us, its nice to go out on top of one.
Friday, November 25, 2011
BC vs. Miami
It's funny how two schools on opposite ends of the country can have a heated rivalry. Admittedly, this may not be as big of a deal as Florida State- Miami, but it's still a good game and has carried a little bit of weight ever since the Miracle in Miami. BC- Miami always carries with it a certain something that all college football rivalries do. We may care more about beating Notre Dame or Clemson, but when we play Miami in that Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving (where they are seemingly always placed on the schedule) it adds a little something extra to the game. BC- Miami may not be the biggest game or the biggest rivalry this weekend, but it is still a special game.
I don't have much to say about this game today and will forego my Five Keys in favor of finishing this post a little faster and diving into leftovers. This is our last game of the season today, perhaps the last of the Spaz era, and perhaps the last time we see Luke Kuechly on the field in maroon and gold. The only thing left on the line for this team right now is pride. Last weekend, we played tough and hard against a mediocre Notre Dame team. The team showed heart and determination and never gave up. I hope the same happens today. There is no reason BC can't beat the Hurricanes today. These are not the Miami teams of yesteryear with that Miami swagger and championship rings. BC has a real chance to go into Coral Gables and come out with a win.
There are a few things I hope to see out of today's game. Obviously, it will be pretty spectacular to see Luke break the ACC tackling record and I hope they keep a tackle tracker on the screen during the whole game for him. I hope that Chase will calm himself down and find a rhythm in today's game. His play last week may have cost us some points in South Bend, but he is still a good quarterback who can get things done if he has his head on straight. Last week our defense played lights out, continuing that play this week will go a long way to beating the 'Canes.
With the Eagles staying at home for the holidays, this is our last game of the season for the first time in nearly 13 years. Despite this, and perhaps using it as motivation, I hope BC goes into Coral Gables and makes a statement. We may not be the BC team of 2004 or 2007, but we are still the Boston College Eagles and nothing can change that. With the last game just a few hours away, I hope our players and coaches especially, push for the greater and bring home one final win this season. We are BC. Ever to Excel.
I don't have much to say about this game today and will forego my Five Keys in favor of finishing this post a little faster and diving into leftovers. This is our last game of the season today, perhaps the last of the Spaz era, and perhaps the last time we see Luke Kuechly on the field in maroon and gold. The only thing left on the line for this team right now is pride. Last weekend, we played tough and hard against a mediocre Notre Dame team. The team showed heart and determination and never gave up. I hope the same happens today. There is no reason BC can't beat the Hurricanes today. These are not the Miami teams of yesteryear with that Miami swagger and championship rings. BC has a real chance to go into Coral Gables and come out with a win.
There are a few things I hope to see out of today's game. Obviously, it will be pretty spectacular to see Luke break the ACC tackling record and I hope they keep a tackle tracker on the screen during the whole game for him. I hope that Chase will calm himself down and find a rhythm in today's game. His play last week may have cost us some points in South Bend, but he is still a good quarterback who can get things done if he has his head on straight. Last week our defense played lights out, continuing that play this week will go a long way to beating the 'Canes.
With the Eagles staying at home for the holidays, this is our last game of the season for the first time in nearly 13 years. Despite this, and perhaps using it as motivation, I hope BC goes into Coral Gables and makes a statement. We may not be the BC team of 2004 or 2007, but we are still the Boston College Eagles and nothing can change that. With the last game just a few hours away, I hope our players and coaches especially, push for the greater and bring home one final win this season. We are BC. Ever to Excel.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
My Trip to South Bend: Part II
Admittedly, I made it into Notre Dame Stadium after Notre Dame had scored it's first ten points. I had made a detour to see the Father William Corby statue outside Corby Hall, which is an exact copy of a statue at the battlefield in Gettysburg (Father Corby was the chaplain of the all- Irish New York regiment in the Civil War). Ms. SaturdaysOnShea and I made it into the game about mid-way through the first quarter, just in time to be reminded how inept our BC offense can be and how stellar our defense can be.
The biggest talking point from the game seems to be the inaccuracy of Chase Rettig. Chase threw 20 incompletions over the course of the game, going 18- 38 with one touchdown and, mercifully, no interceptions. Chase seems skittish in the pocket. His never settles his feet and doesn't plant his back foot to throw. Certainly, we are seeing a sophomore slump from Chase, but he seems to be digressing in his abilities as a quarterback over all, something we saw with Dave Shinskie as well. At the beginning of the season Chase seemed to be the quarterback we had been looking for, showing sophomore mistakes but generally having an upside. Chase has not gotten any better this season and that's a problem. He deserves some of the blame, but so do the coaches and so does his O-line. Personally, I believe that it has been the lack of an effective O-Line this season that has caused many of Chase's woes. He doesn't set his feet because he's expecting to get hit the moment the ball is snapped. He is forcing throws because he's used to throwing under pressure. His passes are off target because he doesn't have or isn't expecting to have enough time for the play to develop. With better coaching and a better O-Line Chase could be much better, and hopefully we will see a junior jump next year. That is left to be seen.
Another problem that led to our offensive woes was the use of Bordner. Although he scored a rushing touchdown to bring the game 10- 7, he was used sparingly and over time, the defense was able to recognize that Bordner in the game meant a running play. It also disrupted any rhythm that Chase and the offense were getting themselves into. I do believe that there is a place for Josh Bordner in this offense, but he needs to be used wisely and strategically. Put Bordner in and have him throw one and run one to keep the defense off balance. If teams see him coming in, they know that more than likely the ball will be run, not thrown. If we want to go with a two quarterback system, we need to use that strategy better or not at all.
The defense played an excellent game. Although it was clear they schemed against him, Luke managed to become just one tackle shy of tying the all tie BC tackles record. Our defensive pressure held Notre Dame to just 3 points in the entire second half and were able to force Notre Dame into long yardage situations and turnovers. Max Holloway's interception could have been a game changer. BC was down 6 and the interception gave us the ball on the Notre Dame 48. A few plays later, though, BC could not convert a 3rd and 3. Additionally, the defense was able to effectively shut down Michael Floyd. More than anything else, this kept us in the game. The defense allowed Floyd just ten receptions for 92 yards and no touchdowns. The defense played this game to win and kept fighting to the bitter end.
BC should have, and could have, won this game. If a few different things broke a different way, no penalties, better accuracy from Chase, the reviewed calls that went to Notre Dame, I really do think BC would have won. However, winning teams shouldn't have to rely on "what-ifs" to win. The fact of the matter is that this was not a very good Notre Dame team. Losing by just two points means that BC could have just as easily won this game. Better play calling and better coaching could have made this a very different outcome. Some people are taking the moral victory out of this one. BC was a 24.5 point underdog going into South Bend and lost by just two points. I can't bring myself to take the moral victory when true victory was just as easily attainable. BC played well but in too many situations left points on the field. The team played hard and they deserved to win this game, but they have not been given the tools to succeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)