Eagles adapting to changes, losing season
It's tough enough trying to rebound from the first non-bowl season in the last 13. It's even tougher when so many changes are going on with your program.
BC was going through spring practice minus some key performers and with new coaches having just been added to the staff.
Two of the aforementioned key performers, running back Montel Harris and defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey, whose absence for most or all of last season was a major contributor to the 4-8 final record, were both also missing from spring ball.
Both had been granted extra years via medical redshirt. Both were out with knee injuries.
Harris, one of the best running backs in the country when he's right, just hasn't been right for so long now that you wonder if he'll ever return to the form that had him named preseason Offensive Player of the Year in the ACC heading into last year. He made a cameo appearance, but couldn't stay on the field.
The Eagles have running backs to handle the load without Harris. But if they don't have Harris, the road gets that much tougher.
Ramsey was to be a major factor on last year's defensive line but missed the entire season.
Coach Frank Spaziani, entering his fourth season as a head coach, may or may not be in trouble if he doesn't win this season. It's likely that he would be; but it can't be overlooked that he kept a young team from quitting when the Eagles were 1-6, with BC going 3-2 down the stretch, capped by a win at Miami in the finale.
There weren't a ton of losses from last year's roster. The Eagles will begin life after super linebacker Luke Kuechly, gone a year early to the NFL, but the linebacking corps is deep and talented.
Much of what will happen on the offensive side of the ball revolves around the continued growth of quarterback Chase Rettig, who will find himself pushed by Josh Bordner if he doesn't get more consistent.
NOTES, QUOTES
--The NCAA went against the ACC recommendation and denied a sixth year of eligibility for wide receiver Ifeanyi Momah, who could have been a major contributor to the BC offense in 2012.
"This is very disappointing news," coach Frank Spaziani said. "We only want what is best for Ifeanyi, and I felt a sixth year would have benefited him greatly after missing two full seasons with injuries. He is a great young man who will leave Boston College with a degree in hand. We are very grateful for his contributions to our football program, on and off the field, and we hope he is able to continue pursuing his dreams."
--The BC coaching staff, which had already undergone changes that included the arrival of a fourth offensive coordinator in two seasons, went through more late changes; with Sean Desai now coaching the running backs, Aaron Smith working with the side receivers and former BC defensive lineman Al Washington named assistant special teams coach who will also work with the defensive line.
--Remember AstroTurf, the original artificial surface? Well, the newest design of the artificial field is being installed at Alumni Stadium.
--The Eagles open the 2012 season against Miami, the same team they played, and beat in last year's finale. This time the game is in Chestnut Hill and will be played Sept. 1.
--BC's 2012 game with Army has been switched to West Point, with the Black Knights coming to Chestnut Hill in 2013.
--The coverage of BC's spring ball was ignored by the two Boston newspapers, which tend to get tied up with the pro teams, and even in BC's march in the NCAA hockey tournament.
--Can Chase Rettig become a quality college quarterback? He came with all the credentials but he's an upper classman now and his to play like the experienced junior that he is. The turmoil involving the offensive coordinator spot could have helped Rettig nor anyone else last season, but it was the loss of Montel Harris, one of the best running backs in the country, that really killed the offense. Harris, back for an extra year via medical redshirt, has to stay on the field, which hasn't been easy. Another key factor: how will this group adapt to the coaching changes made at the end of last season.
SPRING MOVERS
WR Spiffy Evans -- He was a kick returner last season but was looking good in spring ball. Extra playing time opened up when Ifeanyi Momah was denied an extra year of eligibility.
TE Chris Pantale -- This should be a breakout year for a kid who seems to be getting better all the time.
WR Brian Miller -- The former tight end is listed as a starter at wide receiver, where his 6-4 frame should make him a heck of target. "Brian's got some athletic skill," says coach Frank Spaziani.
DT Dom Appiah -- The 6-5, 291-pounder, who garnered freshman All-American mention is some places, was making his way into the offensive backfield in the scrimmages, something BC didn't do very much last season, when the Eagles were 114th in the country in sacks.
QB Josh Bordner -- You know he's right there if Chase Rettig can't continue to grow as the starter.QUOTE TO NOTE: "Spaz is the best coach that we've had in the 15 years that I've been here. Spaz is coming back next year and our future here is really, really bright." -- AD Gene DeFilippo after last year's final game when asked about coach Frank Spaziani's future.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2012 OUTLOOK: It really is hard to get a read on what BC will do this season after a 4-8 year in 2011. The younger players apparently made some progress at the end of last season, when the Eagles won three of their last five games. Linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Max Holloway will be missed from the defense after early departures for NFL life (you have to wonder if Holloway made the right decision, but you know Kuechly did). If the younger players continue to improve, things could turn around. But a lot of good things have to happen to turn a 4-8 around into something better. Frank Spaziani's job was not on the line with one losing season, but two in a row?
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: New offensive coordinator Doug Martin on his group, and his new scheme: "We're a multiple, one-back offense, which means we base out of a one-back, but we can easily, through shifts and motions and personnel changes get into two-back sets just as easily. But we will have a very physical, downhill running game. I'd describe the passing game as a West Coast passing game. The tempo of the offense will be a lot different, we're much more up-tempo, fast out of the huddle, perhaps some no-huddle parts to the offense also. Just a lot quicker tempo than what they played at, a lot more shifts and motions, a lot more diversity to the offense than what they've had." I'm going to do everything in my power to make us an effective offensive football team. That's what the Eagles were NOT last season, when the Eagles were 112th in the country in yards gained, and a return by running back Montel Harris, could help. But you have to think continued growth by quarterback Chase Rettig is even more of a key.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Eagles have a bunch of starters coming back, but they don't have All-American linebacker Luke Kuechly, gone a year early to the NFL. Kevin Pierre-Louis and Steele Divitto lead a still-talented linebacking corps. Cornerback Donnie Flether could be missed in the backfield, but this team needs more pressure from the unit up front, which lost end Max Halloway to an early (and ill-conceived?) move to the NFL.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: The Eagles will miss punter Ryan Quigley, with senior Gerald Levano listed as No. 1 on the depth chart. Kicker Nate Freese seems to have bounced back from missing a chip-shot field goal that would have win the Oct. 1 Wake Forest game. Wide receiver Spiffy Evans showed flashes as a return man. This has NOT been an area of strength for this program.
TOP NEWCOMERS
LB Steve Daniels -- Luke Kuechly has left BC for the NFL but Daniels is a kid who can help take his place. The Eagles wanted him last year, out of Kuechly's high school (St. Xavier has been a BC pipeline). Rivals.com had him as a four-star recruit and a slew of big-name programs wanted him. Daniels was reportedly still dealing with academic issues.
OL Win Homer -- The Eagles, long with a tradition as "O-Line U.," are trying to HIT a homer (sorry) with this 6-5, 245-pounder who was also recruited by North Carolina State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
TE Mike Giacone -- Maryland, Connecticut and Rutgers were also reportedly in the picture for the 6-5, 245-pound target/blocker. He caught 16 passes, two for touchdowns, in 2011.
"We are very, very happy he joined up, and that was a big addition at the end," coach Frank Spaziani said. "It's a position we are very excited about."
TE Brian Miller -- The local product is a redshirt freshman but is expected to contribute.
ROSTER REPORT
--RB Montel Harris participated in the first day of spring practice but was shut down with a re-aggravation of left knee soreness.
--Among the others missing from spring ball: LB Kevinb Pierre-Louis, S Sean Sylvia,
--TE Chris Pantale says he's ready for a big year, telling Eagleaction.com: "Look at a guy like Rob Gronkowski. He's a player that can do it all and is a weapon. I want to turn into a player that the offense can count on every play, whether it's making a big catch, or knocking someone over on a run play. My goal is to be an overall weapon on offense."