:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61805359/usa_today_11343229.0.jpg)
The Boston College Eagles sit at 5-2 as they head into their bye week, a number that can be evaluated and judged a myriad of different ways. Today, we are going to just break down the offense, look at the positions, some statistics and assign a grade up to this point. It’s kind of a Progress Report for the team at this point. Later in the week we will look at defense and coaching, so hold your thoughts on those two units until later.
Scoring offense: 39.6 ppg (18th in the country), against P5 programs they average 28.8 ppg
Quarterbacks
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13285481/usa_today_11387687.jpg)
Going into this season there were a lot of questions about the health and progress of Anthony Brown. However, he started off the season with a bang lighting up UMass and Wake Forest, while throwing for 626 yards and nine touchdowns. He had great touch, was running the system effectively, and looked almost All ACC. Then Purdue happened, and he crashed down to earth, throwing for 4 interceptions while looking completely overwhelmed. It was just a terrible game. Since that time he hasn’t made the big mistakes, but he hasn’t done anything spectacular either, averaging 172 yards per game the past three weeks, but not throwing any picks. Would love to see him improve on going through his progressions, and not locking on a receiver. Currently he has thrown 1238 yards, 14 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
AJ’s Grade: B-
(Incomplete for EJ Perry IV and Matt MacDonald who have played, but not in anything meaningful making it impossible to assign a grade)
Your Grade:
Poll
What Grade Would You Give The QBs?
This poll is closed
-
3%
A
(17 votes) -
53%
B
(281 votes) -
38%
C
(203 votes) -
3%
D
(17 votes) -
0%
F
(3 votes)
Running Backs
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13285483/usa_today_11238609.jpg)
AJ Dillon has been everything that we expected him to be, except for being shut down against Purdue. In the 4 1⁄2 games Dillon has played (and he only had limited touches against UMass and Holy Cross), he has run for 652 yards and six touchdowns. However, Dillon has been sidelined after an apparent ankle injury against the Temple Owls. Since his injury Ben Glines has stepped up admirable with some solid big runs, two fumbles (one was a horrible call by the refs), and three touchdowns. He has shown good speed and has found a role to compliment Dillon even after the All-ACC runner returns. David Bailey showed up big time against the Louisville Cardinals, and looked Dillon-esque in the physical way in which he runs.
AJ’s Grade: A
Incomplete for Travis Levy, who certainly earned an A in Special Teams which we will talk about later.
YOUR GRADE
Poll
What Grade Would You Give The RBs?
This poll is closed
-
61%
A
(308 votes) -
36%
B
(182 votes) -
1%
C
(10 votes) -
0%
D
(0 votes) -
0%
F
(2 votes)
Offensive Line
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13285545/usa_today_11272013.jpg)
The group was given a lot of preseason hype, as the group returned a slew of returning starters and players with experience. They have certainly had their moments this year, obviously man handling Holy Cross and UMass up front, but they also beat up teams like Wake Forest and Louisville as well. Chris Lindstrom has been dynamic, looking like an All-American. But the mental mistakes have really brought this group back to earth and really blemished their current grade. BC has been called for a ton of pre snap penalties, ranking 89th in the nation with 46. Obviously some of those come from defense, and other positions, but just using the eye ball test a lot have been holding and false start calls as well. These mental errors are things that can be easily fixed, and Steve Addazio usually has a well disciplined group in this regard. They also have allowed 7 sacks this year, which ranks 54th in the country. Certainly this will be an area BC will need to fix as they enter a critical part of their schedule.
AJ’s Grade: C+
Your Grade:
Poll
What Grade Would You Give The OL?
This poll is closed
-
2%
A
(11 votes) -
38%
B
(181 votes) -
51%
C
(240 votes) -
6%
D
(31 votes) -
1%
F
(6 votes)
Wide Receivers:
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13285569/usa_today_11198440.jpg)
Many observers had this as an area of weakness going into the 2018 season, but honestly they have been a group that has played remarkably well. For a group that has been maligned for drops in the past, they have improved drastically in this area. When put in the right situation Jeff Smith has been a dynamic weapon for the Eagles, using his feet on sweeps and short passes to gain extra yards. Kobay White, who should get more targets, has made some fantastic catches including a huge touchdown against Wake Forest. Michael Walker also had some big catches against NC State in a losing effort. Would love to see BC utilize CJ Lewis more, as he gives BC a very tall threat, and he looks like he has the tools to be a very good receiver.
AJ’s Grade: A-
Your Grade:
Poll
What Grade Would You Give The WR’s?
This poll is closed
-
17%
A
(77 votes) -
65%
B
(296 votes) -
15%
C
(69 votes) -
1%
D
(8 votes) -
0%
F
(2 votes)
Tight Ends
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13285813/usa_today_11173987.jpg)
Going into this season all the talk was a potential break out season for Tommy Sweeney. He certainly has had moments where he has looked like an NFL caliber tight end, showing off good hands and speed in the open field. Sweeney has 17 catches for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns. What has been the bigger revelation has been the play of some of the depth tight ends on the team. Ray Marten, Korab Idrizi, Jake Burt and Hunter Long all have had big catches at different points during the season. When Anthony Brown has the play action really humming, Addazio’s two tight end sets have been a nightmare to defend. Tight ends have accounted for 35 catches and 6 touchdowns this season.
AJ’s Grade: A
Your Grade:
Poll
What Grade Would You Give The TE’s?
This poll is closed
-
60%
A
(268 votes) -
34%
B
(153 votes) -
4%
C
(18 votes) -
0%
D
(2 votes) -
0%
F
(1 vote)
Overall: BC’s offense has certainly put up points against lesser opponents this year, but it will be facing a bigger task when they face off against stronger defenses like Virginia Tech, Clemson and even Florida State. The coaching certainly has made some questionable play calls (I will address this in a future post), but the players on offense have done a solid job of scoring and preventing turnovers. (minus the Purdue Boilermakers game). There is certainly room for improvement, like fewer penalties, and better reads by the QB, but at this point it’s hard to complain at how the players have performed.
AJ’s Grade: A-
Poll
What Grade Would You Give The Offense?
This poll is closed
-
7%
A
(34 votes) -
72%
B
(325 votes) -
18%
C
(84 votes) -
0%
D
(4 votes) -
0%
F
(2 votes)