With Boston College falling yet again at home, it’s time for thumbs up and thumbs down. Because I didn’t get to watch last week’s game, this post took the week off, however it is back with a vengeance after last night’s loss. And before you blast me in the comment section “BUT AJ THERE WERE NO POSITIVES”, let me just remind you, I watched the same game you did, and it was terrible. But still, there were a few individual performances that did warrant a thumbs up.
THUMBS UP
Harold Landry: I don’t know what the reason was that prevented him from being a factor the first few games of the season, but he certainly is stringing together a series of great games. Last night the future NFL first rounder had three sacks for Eagles and now sits second on the all time list, behind Mathias Kiwanuka. Hopefully whatever the injury was to hit foot/ankle won’t prevent him from missing any time.
Zach Allen: It really helps to be lined up across from Landry, and as his teammate has improved, so has Allen. Just some great plays, making some nice sticks and playing well on both runs and passes.
Whoever It Was In The Media That Asked The Question Which Led To This Gem:
Wish vine was still around for this one from Daz pic.twitter.com/EwjtNkEm72
— ERIC HOFFSES (@EJHoffses) October 8, 2017
THUMBS DOWN
The Offensive Gameplan: It looked like BC was going to start off by taking some chances, quarterback Anthony Brown took some shots down field, and the Eagles weren’t locked in to their usual run run pass punt (#RRPP) predictable flow. However, enter quarter three and there were not one, not two, not three, not four, there were FIVE #RRPP in that quarter alone. Virginia Tech was not that good, but putting together this predictable garbage gameplan didn’t do BC any favors. We have said it before and we will say it again, if we as fans know what is coming, you can damn sure bet that Bud Foster was waiting on it too.
Anthony Brown: Look, there is blame that needs to be spread around for the way he played last night. Sure the gameplan was bad, but I have to agree with Addazio on a few things, there was massive execution problems going on too. There were multiple routes that the WR’s ran that Brown missed, and missed badly on that should have been easy pitch and catches. Part of that is on him, and part of that is on the coaching staff for not addressing this, because it seems to be an issue that has plagued him all year, starting in summer training camp.
Sloppy Defensive Play: Yet another game, yet another huge explosive play that kills Boston College. I haven’t had a chance to rewatch the film (and probably won’t rewatch it, because there isn’t enough beer in the world to make me want to watch that s***show again) but the errors in the second level of defense, which has been a problem all year reared it’s ugly head again. Players were out of place, blew assignments, and yes this is all on coaching and discipline, and lays right at the feet of Steve Addazio and Jim Reid.
Jon Hilliman: Just completely ineffective, but that is what happens when you force him to run the half back draw over and over and over again. AJ Dillon looked better as well.
Third Down Conversions: This was a talking point for Steve Addazio after the game. Before garbage time Boston College was 1/14 on 3rd down, that is completely unacceptable. But Addazio doesn’t get that the problem is his gameplan and Scot Loeffler’s play calling. If they are going to insist on running the half back draw for 1-2 yards a clip, then yes it’s going to be third and long almost every time, and the percentages are against you. This again is all connected with the conservative play calling, and it isn’t going to change unless Addazio/Loeffler have some sort of miracle coming to the light.
“Nothing is wrong with the game plan”: Lol says BC nation.