Boston College Athletics
Photo by: Ben Solomon
The Ultimate Team Players
November 03, 2017 | Football, #ForBoston Files
Nobody celebrates others' accomplishments like offensive linemen
Every football game at any level has that moment where a big play happens. A running back explodes into the open field or a quarterback uncorks a deep throw to a wide out with a step. It electrifies the crowd, bringing it to its collective feat. The noise fills with anticipation, and when it happens, jubilation and exultation combines into a cacophony of pure joy celebrating the player with the ball.
A group of players standing behind the play bask in the joy, but they know the cheer isn't for them. Their job is a thankless one typically keeping them out of highlight reels. Their job is to not be seen or recognized because when they do their job, everyone else has a better chance to create those explosive kind of plays.
Such is life for an offensive lineman.
"When a play happens, that's why we all run into the celebration like that," Boston College center Ben Petrula said with a laugh. "It's so we can get on the camera just a little bit."
The Eagles' football offense underwent a renaissance this month, averaging over 40 points en route to a three-game winning streak. It produced back-to-back 500 yard games and averaged 465 per game over that period, lifting the team's season average to 370 yards per game.
October made household names out of AJ Dillon, Kobay White and Anthony Brown as all three moved into national leads among freshmen in rushing, receiving and passing. It helped create a tempo that has the Eagles ranked No. 15 nationally with 699 plays - up from No. 94 a year ago. And it furthered a competitive culture where BC knows it will compete to win against any opponent in any forum.
It all stems from a group of thankless yeomen - Aaron Monteiro, Sam Schmal, Petrula, John Phillips, Chris Lindstrom - who are simply doing their job.
"The offensive line has really developed," head coach Steve Addazio said. "Right now we're in the top 10 in the country in fewest sacks given up. We're No. 15 in the country in most plays being run. There's all kind of stuff out there. But the offensive line is really gelling. Like that offensive line has had a chance to gel now for a few weeks, and we've seen some value from that. They're coming together, and I think that combined with the running backs coming together. Then let's not forget when the quarterback plays well, everyone else comes up with the tide. And the quarterback is playing well right now."
The line is coming together thanks to its commitment to itself. The players are devoted to one another, working together to elevate and protect every play regardless of assignment. It creates a system of accountability where teammates can pick up one player while also making everyone responsible for their own respective job.
"A big part of what we do is just gelling on the same page," Chris Lindstrom said. "It's about the communication that we have and accountability that we have. We all are best friends out there, and it's fun playing with the guys that you love being with. It's a lot of fun and it helps eliminate mistakes because we're developing technique and working together."
It's a system that's been tested this year. The offensive line entered 2017 with a load of experience on its depth chart, but it lost three key parts when Elijah Johnson, Shane Leonard and Jon Baker all got hurt. Since Baker, the senior captain, and Leonard both played center, it left BC without anyone at "the apex of the offense," as Addazio tends to call it.
"The toughest part of center is the mental piece," Addazio said. "It sets protection calls and identifies the zones and gaps. There's a lot that goes into it, so when we lost Jon Baker, it was such a huge loss. He gave so much confidence to everyone including the quarterback who was also a young guy. That was an impact that really spun us."
"The Sunday after the (Northern Illinois) game, Coach (Justin) Frye brought Chris Lindstrom and me out to the field and told us to start snapping," Petrula said. "I had snapped before but never in a game situation. So even though I knew how to do it, I never actually knew what went into playing the position in-game."
Addazio and Frye chose Petrula, a true freshman projected as a guard or tackle, and inserted him in for the Wake Forest game. He experienced growing pains, including a couple of bad snaps, but ultimately earned more time at the position. He learned more each week, maturing and developing on the fly.
"Ben is beyond (being a freshman)," Addazio said. "He's still a young guy, but he's through the early couple of games he had. Those were a whole new world, and he changed positions. I never saw a guy handle it like that. In the big scheme of things, he picked up some things so fast."
Petrula is now the centerpiece of an offensive line that's simply going about its business and getting better every week. Even without a regular huddle, every player has his own database of assignments and keys in on exactly what to do as soon as quarterback Anthony Brown announces the call. It all stems from that call, which in turn comes from the center.
"I always have to look for the ID system for every play," Petrula said. "That varies between every play call from the coach. Then I'm helping the guys hear at that point, so I have to scream and yell because that's the whole basis for the blocking play in place."
"I have everything pre-snap for what technique I'm going to use," Lindstrom said. "I have an idea of what to do before the play, and then once the ball is snapped, we all do what we're supposed to do. If I'm in a pass setting, I'll take my set and adjust to what the defensive guys are doing."
It's a process that built chemistry and confidence in an offensive line now one of the best in the nation. The Eagles are opening holes for Dillon and protecting Brown, one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the nation. BC is now incorporating more complex schemes where players like Lindstrom aren't lining up as true offensive linemen, instead taking position in a pistol backfield.
"That's fun and an offensive lineman's dream," Lindstrom said of lining up off the traditional line. "I'm still doing the same thing with blocking but it's awesome to be back there."
"It's not that hard when you're willing to gain and build chemistry together," Anthony Brown said of his line. "The week after Jon got hurt, Ben and I worked tremendously. We gave so many hours into snapping and running through plays with him at center. He made it easier on me where I made it easier on him.
"(The entire line) has been doing a good job blocking all year," he continued. "As the season progressed, I started pulling the ball down more and running where I had opportunities. That helps more with their protection and timing. Overall, they've been playing really well for me."
It all comes back to a group of players who simply love playing together. Anyone who plays the position knows running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers get all the camera time. Glory is earned by the team's success, so that doesn't stop an offensive tackle from looking at the touchdown celebration and realizing he lines up occasionally in the backfield.
When asked of the possibility, Chris Lindstrom broke into a smile and a laugh. "Hey a guy can dream, right?" he said as he picked up his helmet and started off the field.
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A group of players standing behind the play bask in the joy, but they know the cheer isn't for them. Their job is a thankless one typically keeping them out of highlight reels. Their job is to not be seen or recognized because when they do their job, everyone else has a better chance to create those explosive kind of plays.
Such is life for an offensive lineman.
"When a play happens, that's why we all run into the celebration like that," Boston College center Ben Petrula said with a laugh. "It's so we can get on the camera just a little bit."
The Eagles' football offense underwent a renaissance this month, averaging over 40 points en route to a three-game winning streak. It produced back-to-back 500 yard games and averaged 465 per game over that period, lifting the team's season average to 370 yards per game.
October made household names out of AJ Dillon, Kobay White and Anthony Brown as all three moved into national leads among freshmen in rushing, receiving and passing. It helped create a tempo that has the Eagles ranked No. 15 nationally with 699 plays - up from No. 94 a year ago. And it furthered a competitive culture where BC knows it will compete to win against any opponent in any forum.
It all stems from a group of thankless yeomen - Aaron Monteiro, Sam Schmal, Petrula, John Phillips, Chris Lindstrom - who are simply doing their job.
"The offensive line has really developed," head coach Steve Addazio said. "Right now we're in the top 10 in the country in fewest sacks given up. We're No. 15 in the country in most plays being run. There's all kind of stuff out there. But the offensive line is really gelling. Like that offensive line has had a chance to gel now for a few weeks, and we've seen some value from that. They're coming together, and I think that combined with the running backs coming together. Then let's not forget when the quarterback plays well, everyone else comes up with the tide. And the quarterback is playing well right now."
The line is coming together thanks to its commitment to itself. The players are devoted to one another, working together to elevate and protect every play regardless of assignment. It creates a system of accountability where teammates can pick up one player while also making everyone responsible for their own respective job.
"A big part of what we do is just gelling on the same page," Chris Lindstrom said. "It's about the communication that we have and accountability that we have. We all are best friends out there, and it's fun playing with the guys that you love being with. It's a lot of fun and it helps eliminate mistakes because we're developing technique and working together."
It's a system that's been tested this year. The offensive line entered 2017 with a load of experience on its depth chart, but it lost three key parts when Elijah Johnson, Shane Leonard and Jon Baker all got hurt. Since Baker, the senior captain, and Leonard both played center, it left BC without anyone at "the apex of the offense," as Addazio tends to call it.
"The toughest part of center is the mental piece," Addazio said. "It sets protection calls and identifies the zones and gaps. There's a lot that goes into it, so when we lost Jon Baker, it was such a huge loss. He gave so much confidence to everyone including the quarterback who was also a young guy. That was an impact that really spun us."
"The Sunday after the (Northern Illinois) game, Coach (Justin) Frye brought Chris Lindstrom and me out to the field and told us to start snapping," Petrula said. "I had snapped before but never in a game situation. So even though I knew how to do it, I never actually knew what went into playing the position in-game."
Addazio and Frye chose Petrula, a true freshman projected as a guard or tackle, and inserted him in for the Wake Forest game. He experienced growing pains, including a couple of bad snaps, but ultimately earned more time at the position. He learned more each week, maturing and developing on the fly.
"Ben is beyond (being a freshman)," Addazio said. "He's still a young guy, but he's through the early couple of games he had. Those were a whole new world, and he changed positions. I never saw a guy handle it like that. In the big scheme of things, he picked up some things so fast."
Petrula is now the centerpiece of an offensive line that's simply going about its business and getting better every week. Even without a regular huddle, every player has his own database of assignments and keys in on exactly what to do as soon as quarterback Anthony Brown announces the call. It all stems from that call, which in turn comes from the center.
"I always have to look for the ID system for every play," Petrula said. "That varies between every play call from the coach. Then I'm helping the guys hear at that point, so I have to scream and yell because that's the whole basis for the blocking play in place."
"I have everything pre-snap for what technique I'm going to use," Lindstrom said. "I have an idea of what to do before the play, and then once the ball is snapped, we all do what we're supposed to do. If I'm in a pass setting, I'll take my set and adjust to what the defensive guys are doing."
It's a process that built chemistry and confidence in an offensive line now one of the best in the nation. The Eagles are opening holes for Dillon and protecting Brown, one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the nation. BC is now incorporating more complex schemes where players like Lindstrom aren't lining up as true offensive linemen, instead taking position in a pistol backfield.
"That's fun and an offensive lineman's dream," Lindstrom said of lining up off the traditional line. "I'm still doing the same thing with blocking but it's awesome to be back there."
"It's not that hard when you're willing to gain and build chemistry together," Anthony Brown said of his line. "The week after Jon got hurt, Ben and I worked tremendously. We gave so many hours into snapping and running through plays with him at center. He made it easier on me where I made it easier on him.
"(The entire line) has been doing a good job blocking all year," he continued. "As the season progressed, I started pulling the ball down more and running where I had opportunities. That helps more with their protection and timing. Overall, they've been playing really well for me."
It all comes back to a group of players who simply love playing together. Anyone who plays the position knows running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers get all the camera time. Glory is earned by the team's success, so that doesn't stop an offensive tackle from looking at the touchdown celebration and realizing he lines up occasionally in the backfield.
When asked of the possibility, Chris Lindstrom broke into a smile and a laugh. "Hey a guy can dream, right?" he said as he picked up his helmet and started off the field.
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