With the start of summer practice underway, it's time to start looking ahead to the 2012 Boston College Eagles--not like we haven't anyways, but work with me here. Today I wanted to talk about the offense, and most importantly who will be the MVP of the offense this year. Last year as we all know, the offense struggled, and finding an MVP might be difficult. Some might say Deuce Finch, while others may select Bobby Swigert.
This season many of us are hoping that a change in offensive coordinator and numerous other coaching spots will result in a change of the offense. Hopefully with this new system, numerous players will get a chance to shine, so let's put on our fortune teller hats and think ahead to the end of the season. Who will be the offensive MVP?
Chase Rettig (QB) Everything that can be said about the Junior quarterback has already said. He has struggled through his first season and a half with the Eagles, but much of that has to do with the constant changes at OC. Doug Martin has already said that the offense will be much faster and give him more of a chance to spread the ball around. Call it a gut feeling, but I think this may be the year that Rettig finally puts it all together.
Deuce Finch (RB) After the injury and subsequent dismissal of all time leading rusher Montel Harris, it was FInch who rose to the top. Yesterday, Brian looked at the possibility that Finch could be sharing time with Tajh Kimble and Andre Williams, but as we saw last year during the Maryland game, Finch has the power to be an everydown back. Will this be the year that Spaz relies most heavily on him?
Colin Larmond Jr. (WR) The senior wide receiver has become the deep threat for the Eagles by default. But with the change to a Steve Logan-eque offense, the chances that CLJ could have an explosive year increases drastically. He led the Eagles in yards last year, and if Doug Martin is serious about speeding up the tempo of the game, this could cause defensive coverage issues that could benefit Larmond's output.
Emmett Cleary (Tackle) The strength of the offensive line is going to be dictated by their senior tackle. If BC's offense wants to be effective this year, it has to start up front in the trenches, where many battles were lost last year. There is a lot of depth of front this year, and they have played together, but it will be Cleary's senior leadership that will hold the line together.
Bobby Swigert (WR) In 2011 it seemed that Swigert was the most consistent of all the BC wide receivers. He led the team in receptions, and seemed to be Rettig's go to guy for most of the season. Swigert is recovered from off season surgery, and with the new offensive system, will he become an even more effective target for the Eagles?
Chris Pantale (TE) One of the most underused weapons for the Eagles, we saw what he was capable of doing when he completely dominated the Miami game, scoring two touchdowns. Much of Pantale's disappearing act had to do with chipping in on the blocking game, but with an improved O-Line, Pantale should be sprung more often. Plus Doug Martin has said that he plans on utilizing the tight ends even more this year, which he should, meaning more touches for Pantale.
Anyone Else Will the MVP be someone not listed above. Could it be an offensive lineman like Ian White or John Wetzel, another wide receiver like Alex Amidon or Spiffy Evans? Maybe Andre Williams becomes the thumper we all saw against Syracuse in 2010, or Doug Martin falls in love with Tahj Kimble? Or a freshman like Mike Giacone or Joel Zoungrana?
BCI readers, what do you think? Make sure to vote in the poll and leave your thoughts in the comments!