Four Downs: Spring Scrimmage No. 1

Spring practice, by its nature, is more low key than preseason and game week preparations. There's no Saturday opponent that awaits, so every film session and meeting between coaches and players instead focuses on fundamentals and the process of simply improving. It's a rejuvenation of sorts because teams can simply work on building or transitioning their foundations for the future.

That ideal lasted all of one play on Saturday. Quarterback Anthony Brown handed off to running AJ Dillon, and the rising junior exploded out of the backfield to the left sideline. He hit a second gear and went one-on-one with BC's top defensive backs in space. He juked from left to right, cut to the middle of the field, hit a third gear and sprinted to the Fish Field House's end zone for the first touchdown of the day.

It was a 75-yard flash of midseason form for a budding superstar harboring professional and personal aspirations, and it provided flash to Saturday's game-like atmosphere. The underlying message from the coaches, though, never changed, with the rest of the scrimmage providing an opportunity to simply continue development at a time when it becomes the primary objective.

"You don't have the same amount of time as you do in the fall," head coach Steve Addazio said. "We're not game-planning anything (during the spring). This is the time for growth as a player. You have to cherish it. Some programs treat it (like) it will drag, but our guys embrace it. This is where we build the foundation, so you have to embrace that."

Development comes in many forms, and every unit focused on items specific to their individual areas. Quarterback Anthony Brown worked on passes to Dillon, and he continued building rapport with his receivers. It's a different level than the second team, third team or prep team, which would work on more basic college functions for players with less experience.

"You build your toolbox along the way (in a career)," Addazio said. "It takes time to develop that. We've put a lot of time in the spring at each position. (The scrimmage) was more about going to play (the game), but we put a lot of time at each position to build fundamentals - from both a physical and mental standpoint with fronts and stunts. This is the time of year where we put time into that. (It's) understanding schematics because we have the time."

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First Down: Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs

Both offensive and defensive units didn't waste any time after Dillon's highlight-reel run, using first chunk of practice periods to create a position battle between the receivers and the defensive backs. The first teams were especially active, particularly in a battle between Brandon Sebastian and Noah Jordan-Williams.

"Noah has great hip shift at the line of scrimmage," Sebastian said. "That makes it tough on me when (we're at the line). It feels good, though, in spring ball. Everyone's getting competitive to earn a spot. It's just fun. It was Kobay White (against) me, but he's been out for a little bit, and Noah's there now. He's been fun to play against."

Sebastian combined with Elijah Jones for a number of pass breakups in the first chunk of periods. On one play, Jones shaded back on the receiver to give the illusion of open space for a pass over the middle. He then used his closing speed to get a hand behind the receiver, reaching in to break up the play. Later, quarterback Matt McDonald threw a downfield pass that went 25 yards in the air down the center seam. Sebastian was there for that one, deflecting the pass with a full-body extension.

"All the older guys stepped up with their in-game action," Sebastian said. "The younger guys like (Jones) and (Tate Haynes) are in a position battle. The coaches want us sound on our technique, with eye discipline and continuing to work on that."

It's a battle that both sides relished and enjoyed. Each play brought a little bit extra trash talk and good-natured taunting. Whoever made a play earned the right to give a little something to the other side of the ball, knowing fully well it was coming back when the next play went the other way.

"I like to trash talk our receivers and get in their head a little bit," Sebastian said. "It's fun competing with everybody. I get in someone's face, talk a little trash. They say something back, but if I make a play, it's the finger wave and all that."

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Second Down: Anthony Brown

Anthony Brown finished last season as one of Boston College's most prolific single-season passers. His statistics placed him in an echelon with Doug Flutie, Glenn Foley and Matt Ryan, but he entered this spring with the feeling that there's still something more out there. In his mind, the success was great, but there's still that next level that he needs to strive and attain.

"I need to become more efficient, with my body and demeanor at all times," he said. "I need to be the best player that I can be at all times for the team."

The upcoming season marks Brown's third season as BC's starting quarterback, but this really marks his first spring practice session. His freshman year injury kept him from going full speed until essentially the first game of the 2018 season, so this session is giving him a completely different perspective.

He is finally able to work on diversifying his arsenal through spring ball, and it was on full display in the early periods. He hit AJ Dillon on swing passes out of the backfield and executed different crossing patterns to receivers. Later, he worked on scrambling drills against defenders and flashed full speed and agility in dodging would-be tacklers and obstacles. Off the field, he offered his observations to backup quarterbacks EJ Perry and Matt McDonald, while the unit worked with him on what they saw when Brown was on the field with the first teamers.

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Halftime: Coach Leonard

I had a conversation with assistant head coach Frank Leonard during media day last season, and I probably learned more about pure X's and O's in those five minutes than I'd learned in years. It was an interview/talk that I cherished through the entire season because it opened my eyes into how Boston College approaches, prepares, practices and plays the game.

I stood on the offensive sideline during the scrimmage and had an up-close look at the intensity with which the coaching staff approached the scrimmage. Coach Leonard was, in particular, really getting after it with his unit, particular in goal line situations.

The second team offense really rolled for a bit at one point, driving the length of the field behind quarterback Matt McDonald and running back Ben Glines. The defense came up with a stop inside the five, and the Eagles went no-huddle for a drive into the end zone. Coach Leonard got right up on the edge of the coaching box, on all fours and ready to explode for that team. When the offense scored on a Glines touchdown, nobody on the sideline was happier for that unit than the coach.

It taught me a nonverbal lesson about the BC demeanor and how this team is attacking its practices. Every play matters, and there's no distinction between the first team, second team, scout team, or anyone else going through those motions.

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Third Down: Running Backs

Dillon's 75-yard run to daylight provided the highlight for the day, but the day didn't belong to the straight ahead, bulldozer-type runs that made him a legend. Instead, the offense called for a number of more complex plays with throws and check downs to Dillon out of the backfield. Brown's swing pass to him caught him in stride down the sideline and led to a first team touchdown that had the offensive sideline cheering and dancing in celebration.

It's a type of offense the Eagles began implementing last season, but it's starting to take off thanks to new offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian. It's a style he's all too familiar with after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempted close to 75 targeted passes to running backs last year with 58 completions for almost 400 yards.

"We were trying to work in the running backs more (at BC) last year, but there were some complications with that," Dillon said. "Coach Bajakian has a whole bunch of things with screens to get the running backs into it. I see the offense opening up, so I'm excited to see what we can do by the time we get to Virginia Tech."

This year represents a huge opportunity for the star running back. He is already appearing on early watch lists for major college football awards, so everything he does in his preparation now impacts his approach to the game. There's an element of satisfaction that simply doesn't exist, even when he gets into space for a 75-yard touchdown.

"I'm probably one of the biggest critics of myself," he said. "I'll look at that first play, and I'll look at how I can get better with the quarterbacks, the line, everybody. I want to practice like a professional. I want to act like I'm getting paid to do this. I want to take care of my body, things like that. I want to look back at (the scrimmage) and work on everything."

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Fourth Down: The Team is The Family

The intensity of competition permeated the scrimmage and sideline discussion, but spring practice is still much more low key and relaxed in its attitude than the regular season. The players and coaches visibly enjoy the process a little bit more, and the team-building aspect is more prevalent than it would be in September or October.

Spring offers program veterans an opportunity to begin bridging to younger players in an effort to acclimate them to the college game. Different personnel worked together, both in the scrimmage and in position groupings, and the collaboration was evident in how backups watched starters and vice-versa.

Anthony Brown, for example, is the clear starter at quarterback, but he's also entering his junior season. So this spring becomes critical to begin bridging the gap between his class and younger quarterbacks like Matt Valecce and Sam Johnson. That occurs concurrently to the deepening of the position's depth with second teamers EJ Perry and Matt McDonald.

"I feel like we have a great relationship," Brown said. "We help each other. They talk to me, and it's vice-versa with me (talking to them). We have a solid relationship. We keep each other balanced."

It was the same across the board. Players like Dillon used the opportunity to advance the knowledge of the younger running backs, knowing that his position group is now considered "aging" by college standards. Both Dillon and Travis Levy will be juniors next season, and Ben Glines is in his final season as a redshirt senior. So the process is underway to pass the baton to players like sophomore David Bailey and redshirt freshmen Peter Stehr and Javian Dayne

"I've told the younger guys about the mistakes I made," Dillon said. "I had a great freshman year, but I made a lot of mistakes. They are ahead of where I was (mentally) when I was a freshman. They get to study defensive fronts and understand them the way that I didn't when I was in that year. They're making tremendous progress. Javian, David, Peter - they're working with the ones and twos, and they're all ready to go. I'm so excited for the running backs room."

Players Mentioned

David Bailey

Anthony Brown

Javian Dayne

AJ Dillon

Ben Glines

Tate Haynes

Sam Johnson III

Elijah Jones

Noah Jordan-Williams

Travis Levy

Matt McDonald

EJ Perry

Brandon Sebastian

Peter Stehr

Matt Valecce

Kobay White