Boston College Football's First Spring Scrimmage In The Books

Brian: On Saturday, the football team held its first scrimmage of the spring. With Montel Harris, Andre Williams, Colin Larmond, Jr. and Chris Pantale all sitting out, the Eagles showcased their new air attack under first year OC Kevin Rogers.

Here are the highlights from BCEagles.com:

"Sophomore quarterback Chase Rettig completed 11-of-16 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns Saturday in the Boston College football team's first intrasquad scrimmage of the 2011 spring practice season. The air attack was on display all afternoon in new offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers' debut as junior QB Dave Shinskie completed 8-of-10 passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Mike Marscovetra (11-13, 86 yards) and redshirt freshman Josh Bordner (5-13, 32 yards) also saw action.

Sophomore Alex Amidon led all receivers with four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Senior Ifeanyi Momah also had four catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns.

All-America linebacker Luke Kuechly led the defense with eight tackles, followed closely by sophomore linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, who had seven tackles and a pass breakup."

In the spring, the first team offense goes up against the first team defense, and the second string offense goes up against the second string defense. Without having seen the spring scrimmage, all accounts are that Rettig had an impressive first scrimmage.

"Chase Rettig (11-for-16 171 yards) had a very impressive debut to the spring, which was highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown bomb toIfeanyi Momah, on a pass that traveled more than 40 yards through the air. Rettig lofted the ball just high enough for Momah, so that he had an advantage over the shorter cornerback. Rettig's other TD pass went to Momah, this one from 20 yards out. Rettig hit Momah on a slant pattern 15 yards down the field and the wideout did the rest to get into the endzone. "

Are you encouraged by the play of Rettig and the QBs after reading accounts of football's first scrimmage? And thoughts on the Rettig-Shinskie spring QB competition?

Jeff: With Montel Harris and Andre Williams sitting out, this is exactly what we would hope to see. Our defense might have a little turnover this season but I am pretty sure we can count on them being pretty solid. Any time our offense looks good in scrimmages, it's good news. For Rettig and Shinskie to combine for five touchdown passes is impressive. I don't think that's something we've seen in a scrimmage in a long time. Maybe Spaz took the day off? I mean he is a defensive-minded guy and even when Matt Ryan was taking snaps I don't recall five passing TDs in one scrimmage.

You mention a QB competition. Why? There is not going to be a battle for the starting quarterback spot this spring. The starting position is Rettig's to lose and the other guys are fighting for the backup role. If Rettig is not producing on the field once the season kicks off, Spaz might be a little quicker to pull the trigger if Shinskie can continue to play well through the spring and summer, but that's about all the competition is about.

If Harris and Williams end up not playing in a single scrimmage this spring or this summer prior to the first game in September, I will not be too worried. Run blocking is simpler than pass protection and running plays require little if any rhythm amongst the offensive unit. I would like to see Colin Larmond, Jr. get some live action soon though. Assuming he earns his way back into the starting lineup, that will be a nice boost to our offense. At receiver, every little bit would've helped last year and we're only in a slightly better situation this season.