W2WF: Scrimmage No. 1
August 09, 2019 | Football, #ForBoston Files
Game-like atmosphere basks BC on Saturday morning.
For Anthony Brown, the 2018 season was incredibly successful by almost every metric. He returned from a season-ending knee injury in 2017 to throw for over 2,000 yards. He became the fifth BC quarterback to throw 20 touchdowns in a season and was the first to do so since Matt Ryan threw 31 scores in 2007. It made him only the eighth Eagle signal caller to throw for 30 career touchdowns, passing Paul Peterson, Tim Hasselbeck and Shawn Halloran along the way.
Brown's 2018 season was a major factor why BC opened its season with that 7-2 record, but the last three games provided enough fodder for doubters to linger. His injury against Clemson led to a lowered completion percentage against both Florida State and Syracuse. It created a bad taste that was exacerbated by the team's three-game losing streak.
The duality of last season is why Brown enters 2019 with an increased confidence in his own abilities but also a chip on his shoulder about what he wants from the upcoming season. He was, at times, great, but the 7-5 record will always create doubters about what comes next for a third-year starter.
"I want to take the leap that we have been working for," Brown said. "(New offensive coordinator Mike) Bajakian is helping me with that leadership and what can put us in that position. He is helping us get to another place that we want to get to right now."
It's something that starts in the preseason heat, sweltering under August's heat and humidity. Brown is the commander of the offense, and the lynchpin under center. That provides the nexus for the relationship with the new players on the offensive line and the receivers catching passes. It places added emphasis on every practice snap and, on Saturday, within the confines of scrimmages.
"Anthony obviously has a lot of experience under his belt, and experience is the best developer of talent," Bajakian said. "So I think that alone is going to help him make a jump. He's a hard worker that pays attention to detail. The things we've emphasized this spring and this summer in training camp is becoming a more accurate passer. We emphasize explosives in our offense, and they did a good job of that here at Boston College last season. We'll continue to emphasize that moving forward."
Here's what we'll be watching for in the first scrimmage of the 2019 preseason:
*****
Scrimmage Storylines
No rest for the weary
The preseason scrimmage is formatted in such a way that maximizes competition. Units stay on the field as long as the offense is moving the chains, substituting out only when the defense forces a stop. First teamers play against one another on both sides, meaning a defense can only get off the field if it stops its counterpart, while the offense can cause some fatigue by moving the ball efficiently.
"It will be ones versus ones, twos versus twos," head coach Steve Addazio said. "We'll have a lot of periods on the day, which we call 'move it.' If you don't move (the chains), come off the field, (send) the two offense out, etc. So they can simulate having to get a first down to stay on the field or come off the field."
It sets an offensive benchmark similar to a real game scenario. The scrimmage itself is designed to stretch out both units, and the first unit is expected to get anywhere between 70-75 snaps. That's not near the team's usual game goal, but at the same time, it's still only the first scrimmage. Like the NFL preseason games, there's no need to push full contact on the first teamers for full stretches in only the fourth day of full pads.
"There will be some situational things woven in," Addazio said. "But it's going to be a 'move it' period. I suspect we're going to strive for somewhere between 70 and 75 snaps for the (first team) because, as you get closer to game time, you're less likely to want to put them in that situation. Yet they have to feel what that is."
Hi, my name is…
Who exactly plays with which unit is a very obvious storyline for a team gutted by departing talent. BC lost two of its top three receivers and most of its offensive line from last season. The defense lost most of its back end secondary and a good chunk of the starting front seven. So who plays in what situations with the first unit is an obvious discussion target.
The concept of a starting lineup is muddled within this offense, though. So-called second team and depth players are capable of submitting litmus tests for individual progress within the roster. It's easy to assume that Travis Levy or Ben Glines is automatically the second team running back, but David Bailey is no longer a redshirt. So how the Eagles handle depth in certain formations or play calls transcends the stereotypical 1-vs.-1 and 2-vs.-2 matchup.
"You have these two bangers (in Bailey and AJ Dillon), one of which has got freak speed," Steve Addazio said. "Then you've got these other two guys that are extremely athletic with great ball skills coming out of the backfield. They've all played. So that's exciting, and you need them all."
It's a similar scenario for an offensive line featuring a number of versatile players. Ben Petrula is likely the first team's right tackle, but he's capable of playing three different positions, including center. Tyler Vrabel is a redshirt freshman, and while he is currently tabbed as the starting left tackle, there is depth that can supplant him during long drives.Â
"I know we graduated three offensive linemen last year, but I think we have a chance to be really, really good,"Â Bajakian said. "Coach Trautwein and Coach Addazio do a great job of evaluating high school offensive linemen and developing young offensive linemen. These young linemen are outstanding. I can tell you what I've seen on video from last season, but I look at our offensive line (now), and (it's) one of the strengths of our offense. We can build a lot schematically and even the mentality that you're looking for starts with those guys."
Trial by Fire
There's a not-so-subtle irony in Boston College's up-tempo offense. Because it runs so fast, the Eagle defense receives training by fire every day in head-to-head drills. On Saturday, the defense will hit its own benchmark where it either gets off the field on third down or is forced to endure fatigue against an offense with explosive speed.
"The one nice thing about the way we practice is that we run an up-tempo offense," defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said. "In normal practices, we run at least 100 plays, (which is) more than you would in a conventional game. So we're able to rep minimum three deep into that. Even Johnny the freshman is getting 30-some reps every single day in practice."
The first practice sessions almost always provide an offensive advantage because players can't hit. There's no body contact, and hand checking on passing plays is limited. Receivers and running backs gain an extra step because blockers aren't engaged in overly physical play. That advantage is somewhat negated by the introduction of shoulder pads.
Full pads, though, changes the game. The offense is usually stopped a little bit dead in its tracks as it adjusts to football contact, and it takes a couple of days to even out. By the time Saturday rolls around, it's likely going to be an even playing field. That means it's a huge opportunity for players to really show what they can do within the confines of simulated game experiences.
"Guys like Tate Haynes have been here for a while, but this is his first chance to solidify a starting position," Sheridan said. "A guy like Elijah Jones came in as a freshman and has a lot of talent.
"We have a lot of young freshmen corners coming in, but in the secondary, (there are) veteran guys," he continued. "Mike Palmer, obviously, (returns). Mehdi (El-Attrach) is a go-around guy, and he's never been an every down starter for us. These guys have all played, but guys like (them) have a chance to be starters. They're at the end (of their college careers), and this is a first shot for them."
*****
They Said It
"Outstanding coaching. You should come to practice. The coaching is incredible." -Bill Sheridan, when asked during Media Day what the bright spots have been over the first days of camp
"(Steve Addazio) makes it apparent to the players that he loves them as an individual, not as a football player. It goes far beyond that." -Mike Bajakian
"When Pete Cronan played, they didn't have any face masks. They didn't even acknowledge that they have an injury. I don't even want to go down that path, but we're in a new world today. If Pete played today, he probably would've missed a lot of games." -Steve Addazio, with BC color commentator and alum Pete Cronan sitting in attendance
"Amazingly, (the offense) is just keeping it simple. We have a lot of things to remember in football along with classes that have Ivy League-type academics. So we just want to give our kids the best chance to play fast and play confident." -wide receivers coach Rich Gunnell
*****
Meteorology 101
It always amazes me how football passes through three seasons in New England. The last game of the season is cloaked in cold, raw weather, but training camp is played in sweltering heat. It's the perfect microcosm of how Bostonians brag about their love for "all four seasons."
Some hazy, hot and humid weather settled in for the midweek practices, but that will all clear out in time for the scrimmage on Saturday. Friday is going to be gorgeous and dry, and overnight temperatures will dip down into the 60s. That means the morning scrimmage will feature a slight chill that burns off over the course of the structure, and it won't be a factor at all.
When the sun comes up over the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, it'll be a Chamber of Commerce type day - absolutely perfect.Â
*****
Pregame Quote & Prediction
Do or do not. There is no try. -Yoda
I absolutely love watching preseason practice sessions and scrimmages because there's an entirely different feel to them. The players have a sense of urgency, but it's not geared towards any one opponent. It's a time when everyone is working introspectively, and that's always fascinated me because the single, solitary focus is on becoming better without thinking about how to work against a particular opponent.
This is a big day on the football schedule for multiple reasons. The players all have something to prove. The entrenched, returning starters need to begin finding their next level of development and improvement. First-time starters need to solidify positions. If anyone slips, newcomers are waiting to take those positions and earn playing time. Everyone receives an opportunity to shine, and it creates a great, competitive atmosphere.
The dog days of camp are coming. There will come a time where hitting a teammate gets old, and everyone will want that game week to prepare for Virginia Tech. That's not this week, though. The energy is still high, and the scrimmage periods will reflect that. The time to shine starts now.
Â
Brown's 2018 season was a major factor why BC opened its season with that 7-2 record, but the last three games provided enough fodder for doubters to linger. His injury against Clemson led to a lowered completion percentage against both Florida State and Syracuse. It created a bad taste that was exacerbated by the team's three-game losing streak.
The duality of last season is why Brown enters 2019 with an increased confidence in his own abilities but also a chip on his shoulder about what he wants from the upcoming season. He was, at times, great, but the 7-5 record will always create doubters about what comes next for a third-year starter.
"I want to take the leap that we have been working for," Brown said. "(New offensive coordinator Mike) Bajakian is helping me with that leadership and what can put us in that position. He is helping us get to another place that we want to get to right now."
It's something that starts in the preseason heat, sweltering under August's heat and humidity. Brown is the commander of the offense, and the lynchpin under center. That provides the nexus for the relationship with the new players on the offensive line and the receivers catching passes. It places added emphasis on every practice snap and, on Saturday, within the confines of scrimmages.
"Anthony obviously has a lot of experience under his belt, and experience is the best developer of talent," Bajakian said. "So I think that alone is going to help him make a jump. He's a hard worker that pays attention to detail. The things we've emphasized this spring and this summer in training camp is becoming a more accurate passer. We emphasize explosives in our offense, and they did a good job of that here at Boston College last season. We'll continue to emphasize that moving forward."
Here's what we'll be watching for in the first scrimmage of the 2019 preseason:
*****
Scrimmage Storylines
No rest for the weary
The preseason scrimmage is formatted in such a way that maximizes competition. Units stay on the field as long as the offense is moving the chains, substituting out only when the defense forces a stop. First teamers play against one another on both sides, meaning a defense can only get off the field if it stops its counterpart, while the offense can cause some fatigue by moving the ball efficiently.
"It will be ones versus ones, twos versus twos," head coach Steve Addazio said. "We'll have a lot of periods on the day, which we call 'move it.' If you don't move (the chains), come off the field, (send) the two offense out, etc. So they can simulate having to get a first down to stay on the field or come off the field."
It sets an offensive benchmark similar to a real game scenario. The scrimmage itself is designed to stretch out both units, and the first unit is expected to get anywhere between 70-75 snaps. That's not near the team's usual game goal, but at the same time, it's still only the first scrimmage. Like the NFL preseason games, there's no need to push full contact on the first teamers for full stretches in only the fourth day of full pads.
"There will be some situational things woven in," Addazio said. "But it's going to be a 'move it' period. I suspect we're going to strive for somewhere between 70 and 75 snaps for the (first team) because, as you get closer to game time, you're less likely to want to put them in that situation. Yet they have to feel what that is."
Hi, my name is…
Who exactly plays with which unit is a very obvious storyline for a team gutted by departing talent. BC lost two of its top three receivers and most of its offensive line from last season. The defense lost most of its back end secondary and a good chunk of the starting front seven. So who plays in what situations with the first unit is an obvious discussion target.
The concept of a starting lineup is muddled within this offense, though. So-called second team and depth players are capable of submitting litmus tests for individual progress within the roster. It's easy to assume that Travis Levy or Ben Glines is automatically the second team running back, but David Bailey is no longer a redshirt. So how the Eagles handle depth in certain formations or play calls transcends the stereotypical 1-vs.-1 and 2-vs.-2 matchup.
"You have these two bangers (in Bailey and AJ Dillon), one of which has got freak speed," Steve Addazio said. "Then you've got these other two guys that are extremely athletic with great ball skills coming out of the backfield. They've all played. So that's exciting, and you need them all."
It's a similar scenario for an offensive line featuring a number of versatile players. Ben Petrula is likely the first team's right tackle, but he's capable of playing three different positions, including center. Tyler Vrabel is a redshirt freshman, and while he is currently tabbed as the starting left tackle, there is depth that can supplant him during long drives.Â
"I know we graduated three offensive linemen last year, but I think we have a chance to be really, really good,"Â Bajakian said. "Coach Trautwein and Coach Addazio do a great job of evaluating high school offensive linemen and developing young offensive linemen. These young linemen are outstanding. I can tell you what I've seen on video from last season, but I look at our offensive line (now), and (it's) one of the strengths of our offense. We can build a lot schematically and even the mentality that you're looking for starts with those guys."
Trial by Fire
There's a not-so-subtle irony in Boston College's up-tempo offense. Because it runs so fast, the Eagle defense receives training by fire every day in head-to-head drills. On Saturday, the defense will hit its own benchmark where it either gets off the field on third down or is forced to endure fatigue against an offense with explosive speed.
"The one nice thing about the way we practice is that we run an up-tempo offense," defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said. "In normal practices, we run at least 100 plays, (which is) more than you would in a conventional game. So we're able to rep minimum three deep into that. Even Johnny the freshman is getting 30-some reps every single day in practice."
The first practice sessions almost always provide an offensive advantage because players can't hit. There's no body contact, and hand checking on passing plays is limited. Receivers and running backs gain an extra step because blockers aren't engaged in overly physical play. That advantage is somewhat negated by the introduction of shoulder pads.
Full pads, though, changes the game. The offense is usually stopped a little bit dead in its tracks as it adjusts to football contact, and it takes a couple of days to even out. By the time Saturday rolls around, it's likely going to be an even playing field. That means it's a huge opportunity for players to really show what they can do within the confines of simulated game experiences.
"Guys like Tate Haynes have been here for a while, but this is his first chance to solidify a starting position," Sheridan said. "A guy like Elijah Jones came in as a freshman and has a lot of talent.
"We have a lot of young freshmen corners coming in, but in the secondary, (there are) veteran guys," he continued. "Mike Palmer, obviously, (returns). Mehdi (El-Attrach) is a go-around guy, and he's never been an every down starter for us. These guys have all played, but guys like (them) have a chance to be starters. They're at the end (of their college careers), and this is a first shot for them."
*****
They Said It
"Outstanding coaching. You should come to practice. The coaching is incredible." -Bill Sheridan, when asked during Media Day what the bright spots have been over the first days of camp
"(Steve Addazio) makes it apparent to the players that he loves them as an individual, not as a football player. It goes far beyond that." -Mike Bajakian
"When Pete Cronan played, they didn't have any face masks. They didn't even acknowledge that they have an injury. I don't even want to go down that path, but we're in a new world today. If Pete played today, he probably would've missed a lot of games." -Steve Addazio, with BC color commentator and alum Pete Cronan sitting in attendance
"Amazingly, (the offense) is just keeping it simple. We have a lot of things to remember in football along with classes that have Ivy League-type academics. So we just want to give our kids the best chance to play fast and play confident." -wide receivers coach Rich Gunnell
*****
Meteorology 101
It always amazes me how football passes through three seasons in New England. The last game of the season is cloaked in cold, raw weather, but training camp is played in sweltering heat. It's the perfect microcosm of how Bostonians brag about their love for "all four seasons."
Some hazy, hot and humid weather settled in for the midweek practices, but that will all clear out in time for the scrimmage on Saturday. Friday is going to be gorgeous and dry, and overnight temperatures will dip down into the 60s. That means the morning scrimmage will feature a slight chill that burns off over the course of the structure, and it won't be a factor at all.
When the sun comes up over the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, it'll be a Chamber of Commerce type day - absolutely perfect.Â
*****
Pregame Quote & Prediction
Do or do not. There is no try. -Yoda
I absolutely love watching preseason practice sessions and scrimmages because there's an entirely different feel to them. The players have a sense of urgency, but it's not geared towards any one opponent. It's a time when everyone is working introspectively, and that's always fascinated me because the single, solitary focus is on becoming better without thinking about how to work against a particular opponent.
This is a big day on the football schedule for multiple reasons. The players all have something to prove. The entrenched, returning starters need to begin finding their next level of development and improvement. First-time starters need to solidify positions. If anyone slips, newcomers are waiting to take those positions and earn playing time. Everyone receives an opportunity to shine, and it creates a great, competitive atmosphere.
The dog days of camp are coming. There will come a time where hitting a teammate gets old, and everyone will want that game week to prepare for Virginia Tech. That's not this week, though. The energy is still high, and the scrimmage periods will reflect that. The time to shine starts now.
Â
Players Mentioned
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OL
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