Tough times at BC

posted by LW, Wednesday, June 03, 2009

First comes the news that all-everything linebacker Mark Herzlich was stricken with cancer, likely ending his football career.

Now sophomore Dominique Davis, the only returning QB on Boston College's roster with experience, is bolting Chestnut Hill after he was suspended for academics.

Here's the story in the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.

First-year head coach Frank Spaziani didn't attempt to minimize the loss, saying "extreme measures" are now required.

I'd say so.

The Eagles already suffered a huge loss in offensive coordinator Steve Logan, who departed after AD Gene DeFilippo didn't name him Jeff Jagodzinski's successor.

And Davis, though he had yet to be named the starter, did guide the Eagles on a 70-yard touchdown drive to win at Wake Forest last season, and B.C. also defeated Maryland with him behind center.

Among the options now for new offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill is someone with a familiar name (albeit pretty far down the list).

According to The Globe:

Which brings us to the X factor, one that would create a stir on and off the field. His name is Billy Flutie.

Flutie, who has been quietly doing his job as a receiver, punter, and holder in a stadium that has a statue of his uncle just outside it, could be asked to resume a position he gave up after an injury-shortened senior season at Natick High School in 2005.

"Every option is open, including him," said coach Frank Spaziani. "The situation went from cloudy to murky. We're looking at Plan A, B, C, D, E, and F.

"[Flutie] will certainly be considered. We're dealing with extreme measures here. We're at a point where everybody involved in this program is going to find out something about himself."

The Eagles will have some time to adjust this season; they open with home games against Northeastern and Kent State.

But then comes a road trip to Clemson, followed by home games with Wake Forest and Florida State, followed by a road game at Virginia Tech, followed by a home game against N.C. State.

I was already strongly considering forecasting B.C. last in the Atlantic Division (it was between them and Maryland). Now it might be a lock.

This guy writes about Auburn's apparently blatant NCAA rules violations last weekend during a recruiting visit and says: Who cares?

Heck, even Gene Chizik is thumbing his nose at the NCAA.

Chizik deserves kudos for being proactive on the recruiting trail -- even if you disagree with the tactics. First, there was the Tiger Prowl (I would be more in favor of sending the seven assistants in seven different directions to cover more ground rather than the bling of a limo) and then the Big Cat weekend (any time you get the nation's top running back on campus for a visit, whatever the reason instantly becomes a great idea).

So maybe Auburn orchestrated the rolling of Toomer's Corner. So maybe Auburn made a big splash in drumming up enthusiasm when the NCAA doesn't even like a ripple.

So maybe Chizik said, "I don't care. I've got a job to do. And if I have to stomp on a couple of minor rules to get there. ..."

Kudos. Bravo.

What's that sound? The sound of the NCAA adding pages 56,745 and 56,746 to its rule book?

This is the first time I've seen a reporter or coach openly advocating the flouting of NCAA rules. Just a hunch, but this probably won't go over too well in Indianapolis.

Here's a Q&A with TCU coach Gary Patterson, whose team will roll into Clemson on Sept. 26.

On the topic of Clemson's non-conference opponents in 2009, here's a look at Middle Tennessee.

The New York Times ranks then No. 91 nationally.

Here's news on Florida State's appeal of NCAA sanctions. Actually, there's no real news because the NCAA and FSU are keeping the NCAA's response private. Silly.

Joe Paterno wants the Big Eleven to add a 12th team.

Cue snide, condescending response from Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany.

On Clemson baseball, Paul Strelow of The State has a primer on Arizona State in a story and on his blog.

Late-afternoon start times and favorable weather forecasts could ease the Tigers’ adjustment to the desert climate in Tempe, Ariz., a Phoenix suburb; temperatures are predicted to top out in the low 90s this weekend, a departure from last weekend’s 100-plus temperatures.

The greater hurdle figures to be the Sun Devils, who have won 14 of their past 15 games and own a 34-4 home record.
Arizona State presumably will open the series with junior Mike Leake, arguably the best college pitcher not named Stephen Strasburg.

Travis Sawchik looks back on the Tigers' resilient NCAA Regional victory.

And former Clemson pitcher Steven Jackson finally makes it to the show.

LW

For questions or comments on this blog entry, please visit The West Zone message board.

Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home

---