Boston College Athletics
Purvis, Brace Meet With ACC Media
July 20, 2008 | Football
July 20, 2008
Greensboro, Ga. - Senior defensive tackle Ron Brace and senior tight end Ryan Purvis took part in the 2008 ACC Football Kickoff along with 22 student-athletes from each of the 11 other conference schools. Members of the media talked to the senior duo at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, near Greensboro, Ga.
Brace and Purvis were photographed with the other student-athletes along picturesque Lake Oconee before taking questions from more than 200 media members in attendance.
The dominating theme of the day for the Eagles was the absence of quarterback Matt Ryan. "Chris Crane will take over and it will be a smooth transition," Purvis said. He caught 54 passes in 2007. "We have a certain comfort level with him. This is his first and last chance to leave his mark at BC. Chris is a little more mobile than Matt was but he got it done with his arm. Chris runs a decent 40 and it's like having another tight end back there. He has been preparing for this final season and he is going to make the most of it."
Even Brace, who had 27 tackles and 7.5 for a loss last season, was questioned about the offense. "People are overlooking our offense," he said. "At running back we have Jeff Smith and Dan Mulrooney, who is a downhill runner. We also have Josh Haden who has looked good since he arrived. Crane has spent four years behind Matt Ryan who guided him. Chris is a tireless worker and he has proven himself as a leader in seven-on-seven. Our offensive line knows they have to live up to the BC standard. We have a lot coming back at wide receiver. I see our offense as being stacked and it will only get better as the season goes on."
Brace and Purvis arrived on Saturday afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton. The two spent the night playing golf with the other players who represented their respective programs. All 24 of them spent time at the driving range and the putting green with the course's golf pros on hand to give out pointers.
On missing a BCS bowl game last season:
"It was devastating. I remember the locker room after the Clemson game, coming off that emotional high. We were riding high on senior day but then we fell short. We were clicking on all cylinders in the first half against Virginia Tech. Just to get there and get a taste is more motivating than not getting there at all."
On how well the offense will perform:
"It depends on how well we run the ball. Matt (Ryan) would lead us down field with his arm. We have a better grasp of the system in the second year (under head coach Jeff Jagodzinski). Josh (Haden) is as experienced a freshman running back as you can be since joining us in the spring."
On his relationship with Chris Crane:
"We have been roommates the past two years so we have a personal connection. We are also from the same area. We both played basketball and football for our high schools and we played against each other. We have always had a relationship which makes things easier."
On the defense possibly being overlooked:
"As long as we do our job and stop the offense from scoring we will be fine. You can't do better than that."
On the return of BJ Raji and Brian Toal:
"It will be a big difference. You can tell BJ he works hard everyday just by looking at his face. He is a really smart player and teaches us, especially the freshmen, in the film room about key reads. Brian brings a lot of experience to the (linebacker) position which will do nothing but help. They will both guide the freshmen and lighten the work load on everyone else. The defensive line and the entire unit is something to look out for."
On where the program stands:
"Ever since we have been here it has done nothing but rise. Mathias Kiwanuka came back for a fifth year and gave us some national attention. Then Matt (Ryan) comes and takes us to No. 2 in the country. I have family in North Carolina, Florida, and Atlanta and they are talking to me about Matt Ryan. I don't even think they knew I went to BC so it has done nothing but gone up."
