Boston Globe
BC notebook
Boston College football focused on rebuilding offensive line
Addazio calls O-line ‘a work in progress’
Mark Wallheiser/AP
BC coach Steve Addazio will field an inexperienced offensive line when the Eagles open the season against Maine. Sept. 5.
By Michael Vega Globe Staff August 13, 2015
As a former offensive line coach, Boston College coach Steve Addazio said the biggest focus of attention at preseason camp is the reconstruction of the Eagles’ offensive front.
After losing four starters from last year’s squad, Addazio called the offensive line “a work in progress.” The only experienced returner is sixth-year senior right guard Harris Williams, who fractured his left ankle in the 2014 season opener and sat out the remainder of the season.
“What will the final starting five be? I really couldn’t look you in the eye and tell you I know that right now,’’ Addazio said Thursday during BC’s media day at Alumni Stadium.
It’s a vexing question that Addazio says is a source of his insomnia since the start of camp.
“I think we’ve got to figure that out,’’ Addazio said, “and let these young guys who are under water right now start to come out of it a little bit and not let paralysis by analysis [set in] and see if they can play.’’
Addazio was asked if the first four days of camp gave him any clarity on other personnel decisions he will need to make as he begins setting the two-deep roster for the Sept. 5 opener against Maine.
“I think the quarterbacks are battling,’’ Addazio said, referring to sophomore Darius Wade, the projected starter, and Troy Flutie . “The receiving picture is a little murky. You’ve got some talented guys out there who can make some plays.’’
BC will attempt to discover more playmakers in its first scrimmage of camp on Saturday (8 a.m.) at Commander Shea Field.
“I think there’s a lot of little things that haven’t been decided, but there’s much more to be decided for a good reason — there’s more talent, more competition,’’ Addazio said. “It was much clearer in [my] first two years who needed to play. And then it was more about trying to figure out what was the best suit for their talents.
“We’re not to that point. We’re just trying to figure out who the best combination of players are right now. But there’s talent. So you ping-pong [around the practice field] and you watch this guy make a play today and the next day it’s another guy.’’
Defensively, Addazio said he is excited about the arrival of freshmen ends Zach Allen, a 6-foot-5-inch, 265-pounder from New Canaan, Conn., and Wyatt Ray, a 6-3, 230-pounder from Boca Raton, Fla. “Those two guys are really, really good looking players,’’ the BC coach said. “They remind me of the ends we used to see in the SEC.’’
They will help bolster the pass rush and add to the defense’s overall depth, both aspects that were lacking a year ago.
“We’ve got some new DBs and depth at linebacker, a lot of depth at linebacker right now,’’ Addazio said. “We’ve got talent and depth there.’’
Well grounded
BC’s corps of running backs is led by bruising 6-foot, 224-pound sophomore Jon Hilliman, who rushed for 860 yards and a team-leading 13 touchdowns last season. Other experienced runners on the squad include juniors Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse and sophomore Marcus Outlow.
“They all look good,’’ Addazio said. “I mean, they all look good, including the incoming freshman [Jordan Gowins]. A lot of people wish they had a lot of those backs. Those guys are talented guys. We already know the challenge is getting them on the field together more and making that happen. We’re not evaluating that group. That group is good.
“I’d say we probably have the biggest and most talented group of tailbacks in the league, for sure. We just have to find some guys who can block for them, that would help us.’’
Defensive depth
Defensive coordinator Don Brown drew a deep sigh when he recalled how his defense suffered through a severe manpower shortage last season.
On the defensive front, the Eagles had to rotate three tackles: Connor Wujciak, Truman Gutapfel, and Nick Lifka , who graduated.
“Two would play, one would sit,’’ Brown said, shaking his head. “That’s a tough way to make a living.’’
Now? Brown said BC’s front seven has been replenished and the depth improved with the return of ends Malachi Moore, Kevin Kavalec, and Mehdi Abdesmad .
Wujciak and Gutapfel are back along with emerging sophomore Noa Merritt and freshman Ray Smith.
“It just gives us a little more flexibility to do what we want to do and when we want to do it,’’ Brown said of the added depth. “That’s what you’re looking for. If you can four-man rush, five-man rush, six-man rush and it’s on your [terms], it just makes things a lot easier.
“It’s nicer when you can four-man rush, play coverage, and take the heat off the secondary.’’
BC notebook
Boston College football focused on rebuilding offensive line
Addazio calls O-line ‘a work in progress’
Mark Wallheiser/AP
BC coach Steve Addazio will field an inexperienced offensive line when the Eagles open the season against Maine. Sept. 5.
By Michael Vega Globe Staff August 13, 2015
As a former offensive line coach, Boston College coach Steve Addazio said the biggest focus of attention at preseason camp is the reconstruction of the Eagles’ offensive front.
After losing four starters from last year’s squad, Addazio called the offensive line “a work in progress.” The only experienced returner is sixth-year senior right guard Harris Williams, who fractured his left ankle in the 2014 season opener and sat out the remainder of the season.
“What will the final starting five be? I really couldn’t look you in the eye and tell you I know that right now,’’ Addazio said Thursday during BC’s media day at Alumni Stadium.
It’s a vexing question that Addazio says is a source of his insomnia since the start of camp.
“I think we’ve got to figure that out,’’ Addazio said, “and let these young guys who are under water right now start to come out of it a little bit and not let paralysis by analysis [set in] and see if they can play.’’
Addazio was asked if the first four days of camp gave him any clarity on other personnel decisions he will need to make as he begins setting the two-deep roster for the Sept. 5 opener against Maine.
“I think the quarterbacks are battling,’’ Addazio said, referring to sophomore Darius Wade, the projected starter, and Troy Flutie . “The receiving picture is a little murky. You’ve got some talented guys out there who can make some plays.’’
BC will attempt to discover more playmakers in its first scrimmage of camp on Saturday (8 a.m.) at Commander Shea Field.
“I think there’s a lot of little things that haven’t been decided, but there’s much more to be decided for a good reason — there’s more talent, more competition,’’ Addazio said. “It was much clearer in [my] first two years who needed to play. And then it was more about trying to figure out what was the best suit for their talents.
“We’re not to that point. We’re just trying to figure out who the best combination of players are right now. But there’s talent. So you ping-pong [around the practice field] and you watch this guy make a play today and the next day it’s another guy.’’
Defensively, Addazio said he is excited about the arrival of freshmen ends Zach Allen, a 6-foot-5-inch, 265-pounder from New Canaan, Conn., and Wyatt Ray, a 6-3, 230-pounder from Boca Raton, Fla. “Those two guys are really, really good looking players,’’ the BC coach said. “They remind me of the ends we used to see in the SEC.’’
They will help bolster the pass rush and add to the defense’s overall depth, both aspects that were lacking a year ago.
“We’ve got some new DBs and depth at linebacker, a lot of depth at linebacker right now,’’ Addazio said. “We’ve got talent and depth there.’’
Well grounded
BC’s corps of running backs is led by bruising 6-foot, 224-pound sophomore Jon Hilliman, who rushed for 860 yards and a team-leading 13 touchdowns last season. Other experienced runners on the squad include juniors Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse and sophomore Marcus Outlow.
“They all look good,’’ Addazio said. “I mean, they all look good, including the incoming freshman [Jordan Gowins]. A lot of people wish they had a lot of those backs. Those guys are talented guys. We already know the challenge is getting them on the field together more and making that happen. We’re not evaluating that group. That group is good.
“I’d say we probably have the biggest and most talented group of tailbacks in the league, for sure. We just have to find some guys who can block for them, that would help us.’’
Defensive depth
Defensive coordinator Don Brown drew a deep sigh when he recalled how his defense suffered through a severe manpower shortage last season.
On the defensive front, the Eagles had to rotate three tackles: Connor Wujciak, Truman Gutapfel, and Nick Lifka , who graduated.
“Two would play, one would sit,’’ Brown said, shaking his head. “That’s a tough way to make a living.’’
Now? Brown said BC’s front seven has been replenished and the depth improved with the return of ends Malachi Moore, Kevin Kavalec, and Mehdi Abdesmad .
Wujciak and Gutapfel are back along with emerging sophomore Noa Merritt and freshman Ray Smith.
“It just gives us a little more flexibility to do what we want to do and when we want to do it,’’ Brown said of the added depth. “That’s what you’re looking for. If you can four-man rush, five-man rush, six-man rush and it’s on your [terms], it just makes things a lot easier.
“It’s nicer when you can four-man rush, play coverage, and take the heat off the secondary.’’
