Boston College Football 2012: Offseason Storylines, Offense Edition
by A.J Black on Jan 11, 2012 5:07 PM EST
in Boston College Football
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PrintMonday wrapped up the 2011 College Football season, and wouldn't you know it only took us until Wednesday to already start looking ahead. Earlier today, Brian looked at the schedule and pondered the difficulty of BC's upcoming season. Now we should take an early look at some of the storylines and questions that most likely will be headlines about the Eagles' offense during the offseason.
How does Spaz ration out the carries?
Having depth is never a bad thing, and BC will have a gluttony of running backs coming into 2012. All three backs have had monster games during their times at BC so it will be interesting to see how Spaz decides to rotate them in. Will the carries be dictated by the situation, or will Spaz rely heavily on Montel Harris? It would be easy to get excited about Montel Harris, Rolandan Finch and Andre Williams but each has shown reason to be cautious in our optimism. Finch has a tendency to cough up the ball too often, Williams struggles to bounce off tacklers and Harris has the knee. But if all three are effective, they could be a dangerous weapon for a team that loves to rely on the run.
What offense will Doug Martin bring to the table?
Everywhere you look writers use have linked Doug Martin and the "spread offense." But do we honestly think he is going to come here and make this offense do a complete 180? I doubt it. A more common sense style for Martin to bring to BC would be a hybrid West Coast Offense with a run game along with it. Also change hasn't been something Spaz has been all that open to since coming aboard as Head Coach. Is there still a possibility that Doug Martin could just be brought in to continue the legacy of the "run-run-pass-punt" snoozefest that we have all become accustomed to?
Will Chase Rettig Finally Turn The Corner?
I will be the first to admit I thought Rettig was going to have a monster year. After watching him during scrimmages, he looked like a whole different quarterback and his monster game against Northwestern made me downright giddy. But Rettig seriously regressed for the remainder of the season, never looking completely comfortable and struggling to make even some simple throws. He is now going on his fourth offensive coordinator at BC and that can lead to either one of two things -- he could become a completely lost cause or Doug Martin could finally be the OC that keys into Rettig's strengths and makes him an effective QB. This could be a make or break year for Rettig. Youth is no longer an excuse. He needs to execute.
Will The Offensive Line Return To Form Under Bollman's Tutelage?
If you are a BC fan, you have to remember how bad their offensive line was in 2011. They were terrible protecting against both the pass and the run, and much of the blame was put on Offensive Line Coach Sean Devine. Players looked confused, they flat out missed assignments, and Devine failed to keep a consistent starting five throughout the season. Thankfully Devine has been reassigned, and Bollman (who Ohio State fans detest) is taking over the job of repairing this once proud line. There is little turnover on the O-Line, with only Nathan Richman who was completely ineffective, and Mark Spinney graduating. Youth is no longer an excuse, and with a new coordinator here, can BC once again return to their reputation of Offensive Line U?
What Recruits Will Spaz Bring In For 2012?
Over the last few years, Spaz has been able to plug in quite a few holes on offense with recruits. Last year we saw Spiffy Evans step up as a kick returner and wide out, and a whole slew of offensive linemen fill gaps that were left by graduation and injuries. This offseason hasn't been all that kind to the Eagles. BC scored two recruits in Sam Grant and Akeel Lynch that both figured to be major impact players, but it appears that both are heading to other schools. BC has added depth at offensive line so far, with Win Homer and Frank Taylor both being solid recruits that could immediately fill in. But BC has yet to score a solid commitment from a skill position player this year. Could there be a QB, WR or RB coming in?
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Gotta think if healthy that Montel goes back to carrying much of the workload for the offense. Hopefully Martin doesn’t run him into the ground again like Tranquill did.
Editor, BC Interruption
Incorrect
But Rettig seriously regressed for the remainder of the season, never looking completely comfortable and struggling to make even some simple throws
Retting made a lot of progress. Just look at the U game. But I agree that he did not rise to an ACC elite level, as we all hoped. he is poised for some success with Martin’s expected short pass offense.
by eagleosprey on Jan 12, 2012 7:45 AM EST via mobile reply actions
He threw for 200 yards only once the remainder of the season. And in FBS play he threw as many INT’s as he did TD’s (9). It may not be regression, but he certainly didn’t progress. Some of it may be the coaching and playcalling, but there were countless times Rettig missed wide open receivers or couldn’t finesse a pass in during key situations.
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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Not SO - there was defintie, measurable progress
Yards per game is not a good measure of improvment. He has to run the plays taht are called.
Better indications of individual improvement are pass completion percentage and QBr. As you can see, Rettig had significant improvement in both areas.
First 4 FBS games completion %: 54.5; 43.5, 51.5; 48.9
Last 4 FBS games completion %: 61.1; 69.1; 47.4; 76.5
First 4 FBS games overall %: 50.3
Last 4 FBS games overall %: 59.3
First 4 FBS games QBr: 98.3
Last 4 FBS games QBr: 126.2
First 4 FBS games TD/Int: 2/4
Last 4 FBS games TD/Int: 5/3
Did you actually watch the games? Your viewpoint is so negative.
by eagleosprey on Jan 12, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
When stats are aggregated, yes, Rettig showed improvement. But the truth lies somewhere in between.
Rettig was bad in the Notre Dame game. Wasn’t asked to do anything in the Maryland game, which brought down his stats. Was bad against Virginia Tech and UCF. Couldn’t get anything going in the first half of the Florida State game.
Rettig’s best game was the last game of the season against Miami. Looked sharp. Took control of the offense.
Personally, I wouldn’t call this improvement. More of an up and down type season. But if you want to use the administration’s strict sense of the word “improvement” — 1-6 start to season, 3-2 finish — then yes, Rettig also improved.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Jan 12, 2012 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
oh boy!
i knew you would show up to defend the indefensible AJ. Ha! Kid can’t even defend himself!
There is improvement any way you slice it and, no, this is not the Spaz point of view you seek to set up as a strawman.
Also I did not include Maryland stats. i just compared the first 4 FBS games against the last 4.
You used to be so good with data-based argument. Show me some data, rather than snark.
by eagleosprey on Jan 12, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
You can spin stats however you want to back up your argument. I’m just pointing out that showing improvement by throwing out stats for the first four FBS games and the last four — ignoring a little less than 1/3 of the season — is flawed.
Particularly when this ignores one poor performance (Virginia Tech), one so-so performance (Clemson) and one game where Rettig was asked to do nothing more than hand the ball off to Deuce.
Editor, BC Interruption
the guy who can't stop (trying) to be right!
Take a breath Mr Argument and refocus.
The discussion is solely on the question of whether Rettig improved or not. That is: was he better at the end of the season than the begining?
Answer: yes.
VT and Clemson are middle schmiddle and not (as stated) part of the analysis.
But he did improve vs Clemson. Learned to handle the blitz better.
I am apt to agree with EO on this one
I don’t think Rettig regressed. I think he was inconsistent. He was plagued by an o-line that couldn’t quite get it’s act together, and that greatly affected his play. When the o-line was functioning and not allowing a sack on every play, he played well (see the Miami game).
In A.J.‘s defense, we didn’t see great improvement in terms of his touch or vision. I’m hoping we can get a solid QB coach in there to help with that. I think Brock was getting through, so I wouldn’t mind seeing him stay on to coach Rettig.
by polarbearbrother on Jan 12, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
Well . . .
we didn’t see great improvement in terms of his touch or vision
I think we did. Not on the long ball, which remains a mystery to me, but on the critical short outs.
A top NFL QB throws the short out routes such that the ball has a lot of zip, is thrown to the outside of the receiver and is very, very low to the ground — this is all so the pass cannot be defended well by the DB, or picked off. This type of pass involves precise timing. QB and WR have got to feel each other’s vibe. (e.g. note how Chad 8-5 isn’t doing well on the PATS because his timing with Brady has not developed)
Rettig has been working on this key skill in the games. In the early season, he was often missing on this technique ever so slightly, which might be on Rettig or the WRs (he also had many horrendous throws too that had nothing to do with timing routes),
As the season progressed, Rettig starting getting this down. There were many really sweet passes like this in the U game.
If Rettig and his WR can get this basic play down, it is going to make a world of difference. Such passes will open up the clogged box and allow for better running by Montel and the boys. It will also open up longer passes. But on the longer passes, I do think Rettig has not progressed, and dare i say, even regressed. I sometimes wonder if it is an issue of arm stregth. Rettig is supposed to have a “gun”, but the gun does not shoot downfield too well.
by eagleosprey on Jan 12, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
EO/Waterwater----whatever name you are going by these days
You don’t need to be condescending to me to get your point across, I get it. And don’t respond by calling me sensitive or whatever, you bait me constantly with this drivel.
I think Brian may be right, Rettig may have improved, but is he at the point that he can propel BC to beat a solid team? No way. He definitely showed flashes of that (First drive of the Virginia Tech game, first half of the Miami game) but he has yet to show that he can be a consistent ACC quarterback.
I am rooting for this kid as much as anyone but how can you be overly confident given what we have seen?
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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The BC offense put together plenty of solid drives during the first offensive possessions of each half, but fell apart after that. That’s on coaching.
Hopefully Martin draws up more than 1 series / half in the locker room.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Jan 12, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
You don’t need to be condescending to me to get your point across, I get it. And don’t respond by calling me sensitive or whatever, you bait me constantly with this drivel.
who’s condescending? Not me. You are not being “whatever”. You are being insecure. As a BC grad, you should have some more confidence! Go get some MOJO
Inconsistent = up and down.
Not all his fault due to poor OL play, but as the line got it together, Rettig played better. The receivers didn’t help him out much either, but were improved on the hands-of-stone drop fest that was 2010.
Still think he has a lot to work on in terms of internal clock, touch and vision.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Jan 12, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Situational stats
First quarter — 61.6 percent completion, 134.13 rating
Second quarter — 56.8 pct., 123.78 rating
Third quarter — 48.1 pct., 101.87 rating
Fourth quarter — 48.8 pct., 94.15 rating
As the game went on, Rettig got worse.
Editor, BC Interruption
You can spin stats however you want to back up your argument
you are using season-long stats, and those do not address the question of improvement during the season
And my point is you are using per-game stats to back up your argument, without any regard to at which point in the game they came.
Florida State. In the first half, Rettig went 5-7 for just 26 yards, and rushed twice for a loss of 12 yards before getting benched for Bordner before the half was up (down 28-0). What was his first half QBr? Second half – 6-11 for 50 yards, a TD and an INT. The game was over at half.
N.C. State. Second half with the Eagles up 14-3, Rettig went 2-5 for 4 yards passing. That’s after putting together arguably his best half of the year in the first half — 7-8, 114 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (stupid pass)
Notre Dame. First half — 9-13 for 100 yards, 69.2 percent completion
Second half — 9-25 for 70 yards, 36 percent completion
That’s not improvement. That’s playing good for a half. Far too inconsistent.
Editor, BC Interruption
please factor in this to your superficial analysis
The BC offense put together plenty of solid drives during the first offensive possessions of each half, but fell apart after that.
That’s on coaching
10 minutes later, are you now saying it is on Rettig?
And please respond to the above that clearly shows that Rettig didn’t put more than a half together all season, inclusive of your last 4 FBS games.
Editor, BC Interruption
you have already provided the answer . . .
That’s not not on Rettig.
I think you know very well why Rettig’s 2d half stats are skewed: Spaz played not to lose
JUST ADMIT IT -------> RETTIG IMPROVED THIS PAST SEASON
. . . . .
why is that such a hard statement for you and AJ to make? NUTZ
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