Boston College Athletics
Q&A With Tom O'Brien
August 13, 2004 | Football
Aug. 13, 2004
Q: Could you comment on your quarterback situation, with Paul Peterson and Quinton Porter vying for the start? TOB: "Both of them played last year, both of them have game experience, both have won football games so they are rotating between the first and second group, back and forth every day and they'll continue to rotate before we get some scrimmages under our belt and we decide that we're comfortable making a decision." Q: Does that hurt a team, not having named a starter? TOB: "It could, but I don't think it has in this situation because both of them played quarterback last year. Both of them were part of a winning situation so it isn't like it is someone with less experience back there. They both can operate the team, are confident in what they're doing, get them in and out of the huddle and manage the offense well." Q: So there will be a redshirt for the other? What if an injury were to occur? TOB: "Well we'll have to address that if the scenario presents itself. Right now the intent is to play one and redshirt the other and backup with Ryan or El Nokali." Q: Have you shared this idea with the quarterbacks? TOB: "They're on board, they understand. Why would they want to be the backup quarterback this year and maybe get in a game when they could come back and be `the man' next year? Both have the opportunity to stay in school for a fifth year and work on their graduate degree so I think it's a win-win situation for those kids." Q: Would you say Peterson has the edge? TOB: "The only edge he has is that he finished the year. He finished strong and in crucial games that we had to play, so in that respect I would say he probably does. I'm not going to rule Quinton out at any point until it is over." Q: Do you have a date in mind? TOB: "No I don't have a date in mind, it will be when I'm comfortable. I'm more concerned with other things going on than who's going to be the quarterback. Both of them have good leadership abilities and it's not like either are in their last year of eligibility. It's not like either of them wants sit around for a year but I haven't seen any difference in the way they operate on or off the field." Q: Can you mention some of these other concerns? TOB: "Deciding on a running back is a major concern; we have to find someone who doesn't fumble, understands pass proctection and can block. So that's the major focus on offense, finding a running back and piecing together the offensive line. It's the first time I've been here that we don't have a senior on the line. We have some experience in Ross and Trueblood started last year, Beekman started some when Snee was down. The right tackle spot is a battle between Cherilus and Hall, Jim Marten was switched to guard and he's there with Shadu Moore. There are a couple of different combinations that will work their way out. Also the backup tight end on offense - these are all positions where the kids haven't been in games, unlike the quarterback situation where both the kids have been in games and won games for us." Q: How has practice gone so far? TOB: "We've been doing a lot of teaching on the field, a lot of learning, so the real football practice starts this afternoon, which is our first with full pads and tomorrow when we can get two-a-days. Then they'll get their opportunity to show that they are going separate themselves or not." Q: Is it safe to say that the defense will be the strength of the team this year? TOB: "There is more experience coming back on defense so that would be correct. Two defensive ends that played a lot of football, Tim Bulman and Al Washington, look good. We have a good group that has been in games and has some experience, especially at the starting positions." Q: Is the goal of a championship more realistic this year? TOB: "Every year the goal is to win a championship and if you do that you can get into a BCS game. Without Miami, the road is obviously not as hard. We can't have the players worry about anything long term. The motto of the program is `Let's not talk about it, let's be about it'. If you spend your time talking about it, you're not going to be any good. The best thing we can do is practice, get on the field, worry about the little things, be the best football team we can be and at the end of the year we're going to find out if we are good enough to be champs or not."
