Player | Comp/ATT | Comp % | YDS | TD | INT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Rettig | 270/512 | 52.7% | 3,198 | 18 | 18 |
Dave Shinskie | 196/386 | 50.7% | 2,670 | 20 | 20 |
Mike Marscovetra | 48/81 | 59.2% | 518 | 4 | 5 |
Josh Bordner | 1/2 | 50% | 37 | 0 | 1 |
Christian Suntrup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Looking at the quarterback, you have to start last year with the play of the offensive line. It's not fair to analyze Chase Rettig or any of the other options without acknowledging the fact the O-line did them no favors. Frank Spaziani and Sean Devine were constantly tinkering with the starters, and it really took them most of the season to gel, which in turn meant that Rettig was constantly getting chased, hurried and hit. In order for Rettig to be effective at all this season, he is going to need time.
The obvious starter going into the season is going to be junior QB Chase Rettig. As we all know #11 is on his fourth offensive coordinator in two and a half years, which undoubtedly has made his transition from high school to college that much more challenging. Word out of camp is that Doug Martin and Rettig have gelled well, and the stats coming out of the scrimmage dictates that (though his INT numbers are still higher than you would like).
Does anyone know the true Chase Rettig at this point? I don't think it would be fair to say that anyone can accurately predict what he will do this year. Last season we saw two Rettigs, dependent on the game and opponent. In the game against Miami, Northwestern and even a little against Notre Dame, Rettig was electric, moving the ball down field, finding the open receivers in his progression, and managing the game effectively. On the other hand in games against UCF, FSU and Virginia Tech he looked hesitant, made poor inaccurate throws, and was completely ineffective.
This season Rettig is going to need to be more accurate with his throws. Last year there were a handful of times where it was third and a handful and Rettig threw a pass to wide receiver at his toes or over his head. That will come with time, and confidence, something hopefully Martin is installing in his new QB. Rettig also needs to feel more comfortable checking down to his half backs and tight ends. BC doesn't have the most talented wide outs, and pressure will come if he doesn't release the ball quickly, so making sure that he finds the Chris Pantale/Brian Miller on the flat, or can hit that pass to Deuce Finch will be crucial this season. Finally, Rettig needs to stretch the field. As I mentioned earlier the Eagles had the second worst yards per attempt in the ACC. Make the defense respect the deep routes, throw it deep on a "rushing" down, Rettig certainly has the arm for it.
In terms of his backups, Boston College has serviceable options. Dave Shinskie, while not being the most accurate passer in college football, isn't the end of the world. He has real game experience, and we are only two years removed from the time when he was the starter for the Eagles. Would I be happy to see him jump in if Rettig goes down? Not really, but he could be a game manager, someone who could hit a few passes to keep the offense moving.
Josh Bordner also has been the talk of a lot on a lot of blogs, especially during the tough stretches during the 2011 season. Built in the same ilk as Tim Tebow, Bordner is an option quarterback and to this point nothing more. Last year he was used ineffectively in goal line stands and 3rd and shorts. BC should not abandon this fold in the offense, but they need to make it less predictable. If they insist on throwing Bordner out there a few snaps a game, make him throw the ball a few times so that defenses respect the option when it happens and aren't just sitting on it and lining up eight men in the box when Bordner enters the game.
Mike Marscovetra is what he is. It feels like he has been part of this team for 15 seasons, but the only time we will see him is if BC is getting blown out/blowing someone else out, or if Rettig/Bordner and Shinskie all go down with injury. Marsco hasn't seen much meaningful game time, and most likely won't this season. Christian Suntrup, a red shirted freshman came to BC a highly touted California Missouri QB recruit. Reading his scouting reports, he has the tools to be effective, but he is buried on the depth chart right now, and hasn't been making appearances during formal scrimmages this summer.
There you have it, the quarterbacks of Boston College. Other than the play of the offensive line, and a more aggressive playbook, the play of the QB is going to be indicative of the success of this season. Rettig HAS to improve, he needs to average more than 200 yards per game, and attack the field, specifically in the end zone. If he can do that, Boston College could turn some heads this season.