An opposing view: BC defense remains stout
Rich Thompson, Boston College beat writer for the Boston Herald, provided this report on the Eagles:
Boston College’s strength remains in the defense despite the defection of defensive coordinator Don Brown to Michigan. Brown’s departure does create the biggest variable for the Eagles’ success, as he turned a collection of decent players into a man-eating defense and will be missed. However, coach Steve Addazio filled each of his three defensive vacancies with quality replacements, including new coordinator Jim Reid.
The Eagles will not have the No. 1 defense in the country as they did last year because their non-league schedule is stronger, but they will perform. The team’s weakness is its special teams and kicking game.
Boston College’s two quarterbacks, Patrick Towles and Darius Wade, have diverse talents. Towles, a graduate transfer from Kentucky, is a pocket passer who prefers to work out of the shotgun. Wade can play the read-option game that is so popular in the ACC. Addazio prefers read option but Towles is more capable of providing a sound passing attack.
Middle linebacker Connor Strachan is an upgrade at middle linebacker, but nose tackle Connor Wujciak and free safety Justin Simmons, both All-ACC picks as seniors last year, will be missed, especially early. The Eagles have a solid nucleus of players back, led by defensive captains Truman Gutapfel, a defensive tackle, and John Johnson, a strong safety. Brown called Johnson the central nervous system of the BC defense.
About the Author
Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.
