BCDraft 5/30/11: Breakout player in 11-12

You will have to once again pardon our time between posts, this whole "job" thing keeps on rearing it's ugly head.

This week, we look at the breakout players in the next season. Who do you think had the best draft? BCMike or Wesley? Who did we miss? Vote and leave your comments below!!

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1M) Chris Pantale, TE

Sure, Pantale has had a good career thus far in Chestnut Hill, but look for 2011 to be a special year. From everything we have heard, the Rogers offense is going to look to exploit this talented position for the Eagles, and no one more up to the task than the polished Mr. Pantale.

2W) Chase Rettig, QB

Mike, its going to be hard to argue with Pantale being the first pick. Pantale is a great TE, although he didn't get to play this Spring, he should definitely still be a factor this fall. And with the new offense showcasing the TE a lot more, it really should be a nobrainer, heck even in NCAA 2010, I got a Heisman for Pantale haha.

With my first choice Im going with Rettig, the guy tossing the ball to Pantale. Chase did decent in 2010 being a true freshman, progressed as the season went on and after a year under the belt he should show great strides with a new OC. He already

has done better in the Spring based on what I saw, and he should continue to get even better.

3M) Kevin Pierre-Louis, SLB

Good call with Chase there Wesley--I do think we'll see improvements from Chase (particularly after our interview (part 1 and part 2)), but I guess I already expected big things from Chase---Pantale will have a big chance to shine, as well will another player, Mr....

KPL had a solid year last season and performed more than admirably as a freshman. This year I expect two things: 1) Last year KPL largely got by on the god-given and personally hard worked-on athletic talent (as just about all Frosh do), but being around Keeks for a year and playing around him will make him more cerebral 2) While Keeks flew under the radar inexpicably in 2010-11, he most assuradly won't in 2011-12. DC's will plan for him and put resources his way to stop him; which will in turn open up opportunities for KPL.

4W) ALJ (Albert Louis-Jean) CB/S

So far you are batting 1000 Mike, I totally agree with both of your picks. I guess on this draft I am showing a bit of my Kenny Rogers side and being the Gambler..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tSo4IICBTY

On this pick I am going with ALJ.. Although he has yet to play a collegiate game, he has the measurables, enrolled early, displayed skill in the Spring game, and I have heard nothing but positives, the proof in the pudding will come on Saturdays.. But I am calling it now, ALJ will display his skills this fall.


5M) Colin Larmond, Jr., WR

Interesting call on ALJ--I agree that there is no ceiling and that he could be a future star; but it's pretty rare for a true frosh (non "talent position" on offense) to break through.
I'm going with the best recruit landed in the country this year, Colin Larmond, Jr.
Sure, he's not a true freshman and not fresh out of high school but what Larmond is---he's filthy talented with a chip on his shoulder to show the world he's not just back, but an elite WR in his league--if not the country. Larmond is going to have a HUGE year.

6W) John "Wetz" Wetzel, OT

BCMike, I am going to have to disagree on your number 5, you were going so strong, and I think you fell a bit on that one.. Although I think he will be successful in 2011, I think it will be later into the season, as I feel his recovery process is going to take longer than everyone is expecting, and then add getting back into the game.. Just my two cents.. And I hope that I am wrong.

I think a lot of people have been wondering what happens on the line with no Costanzo, and I think the quick answer is Wetz steps in and does a great job.

Now don’t get me wrong, we lost a first round draft pick with someone I think I could count how many games they played last year on one hand. But Wetz has shown leadership during the spring, and he definitely understands this is his time, and I think we will all breathe a sigh of relief when we see he anchor down that left side.

7M) Okechukwu Okoroha, aka "O", FS

Funny you should say that about Colin Larmond, Jr., Wesley---because I'm in a similar boat with Wetz. I'm VERY much hoping that he can fill the shoes of Cazzy, but I think it will be a learning year for him adjusting to the blind side--but I hope I'm wrong, much like you do.

For #7, I'm taking Okechukwu Okoroha, Mr. "Hollywood", Mr. "O" himself. This season his full athletic ability will be on show and one more year of understanding Spaz' defense will be under him. He's undeniably one of the most athletic guys on the team and with some discipline under Spaz' system, he'll be a 1st or 2nd all ACC guy for sure.

8W) Kaleb Ramsey, DT

I am going to keep it simple on our DT , he just exploded physically last year, and showed great strength and speed… As a senior on the Dline he is going to create some NFL prospect Tapes in 2011.. And plus I like the way he just seems to play like he is totally pissed off.. That's exactly what I want in a DT.


9M) Kasim Edebali, DE

Wesley, if Kaleb were to be the breakout player; I can' t even imagine how great of a season we would be having. He's having to replace big shoes (both physically and by play CT native Damik Scafe), and I would be excited by a zero drop off; but I don't believe Ramsey has the physical size to be a breakthrough player at DT; he is more of a rip and pursue player than a read and react player IMO---which I believe is important at DT---but again I hope I am wrong.

With my last pick in this week's draft, I will take Kasim Edebali.

I think that from everything I have heard, he's very "Kiwi"-esque and while he was a player that was recruited out of this country, he has well adapted to the state-side ball play and has shown a propensity to be able to get to the QB. BC fans have bemoaned a lack of QB rush from the front four; I think "Eddie" is the answer.

10W) Luke "Keeks" Kuechly, MLB

Good call on Edebali, he definitely displayed the skill and talent, let alone the speed last year that made me think that he could definitely put on a nice display.

With number 10, I choose Kuechly, well I guess the rich get richer. Luke seriously got some attention in 2010, racking up 10+ tackles over and over and over, but watch for luke to try to display his QB sacking ability, his ability to cause a fumble, his tackles behind the line of scrimmage, last year he showed his ability to track down the ball and make a play, this year I expect to see him be a bit more dangerous to the other team

Recap:

BCMike: Pantale, KPL, Larmond, O, Edebali

Wesley: Rettig, ALJ, Wetz, Ramsey, Kuechly

BCDraft 5/30/11: Breakout player in 11-12
	BCMike: Pantale, KPL, Larmond, O, Edebali
	Wesley: Rettig, ALJ, Wetz, Ramsey, Kuechly
pollcode.com free polls

BCDraft interviews Chase Rettig - Part 2

Last week we published part one of our interview with Boston College starting QB Chase Rettig. To start the week off, today we are publishing part two.

Once again, we want to thank Chase for joining us and taking the time to be interviewed.

We hope you enjoy the conclusion of this great interview!

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BCDraft: Are there any guys that we didn’t mention that we should be looking for on the receiving corps?

Chase Rettig: I don’t want to single anyone out this season, but I think Chris Pantale should have a great season this year, Lars Anderson [too]. If Colin can make it back [to full strength] he can have a very strong year. Ifeanyi Momah, Clyde Lee, Alex Amidon , Shakim... all these guys have been busting it this spring… I’m just excited to see how it plays out this summer; I definitely think everyone should be very excited to see how well they do this year.

BCD: Moving from Wide Receivers to the backs, I think Montel definitely had such a work load last year and [due to that] we got to see Andre Williams bust on to the field…Now that Andre and Montel are healthy I think that you are going to see a two-back, back [field] there. ..Not to say anything bad about the rest of the backs in the ACC, but I think that is one of the better Running Back Duos in the ACC; if not the country.

CR: I think so too, you know Montel is a great back, and Andre is a great back. Montel is so proven , and [he] is such a good down-hill runner. You are talking about people that will be a surprise next year--I think the Running back Tajh Kimble will come in and get a few carries and will pull some big plays this season. He has exploited himself extremely well this spring with everyone out trying to get healthy. I think those 3 guys are going to be workhorses in the backfield

BCD: Great! Are there any other incoming guys that are incoming guys that Eagles fans haven’t seen that may be an impact this year?

CR: We’ve had two kids come in with the 2011 class, and I m not too sure where they stand right now , but ALJ has made some really big plays this spring on defense and Medhi has done very well in practice. But I am not sure if they are going to be playing as true freshman or not, but they have made a good impression already for the 2011 class.

BCD: Now for the big scoop is Spaz’s mustache real? Like really real?

CR: Definitely

BCD: Hahaha , have you ever tugged on it to make sure?

CR: Definitely not...

BCD: We were wondering if Tom Selleck had it stolen from him, but apparently it might be his so I don’t know who to believe…

Anyway, are you able to follow the other BC sports? BC hockey has enjoyed a great run, and BC basketball has done well again this year after a tough year last year.

CR: Yes, I’ve gone to the Beanpot a couple times for the championship game, and then a couple of home games, and then I went to a couple of BC basketball games this year too.

BCD: Excellent, nice to see you guys supporting each other.
Do you have a favorite pass play, or throwing on the run play that is your favorite one to run, and if so, can you describe it for us?

CR: Yeah one the big differences from last year to this year is actually some concept plays where we can go to the line of scrimmage and we can route according to the defenses we get, I really like being able to go to the line of scrimmage and break down the defense and seeing a cover 3 or cover 2 and being able to split the defense, so that’d definitely be my favorite.

BCD: Is there a QB that you mold your game after, or even a couple that you try to morph together to kind of go in the direction of and emulate?

CR: I just try to [be my own QB]…you know it’s funny…because during the season you end up not following [Pro] football much because you are so caught up in your own team but , once the season was over and we were able to watch some football, we keep track and see who the best guys are and you just try to emulate what their strong points are, whether it be footwork, timing, how they throw a certain ball against certain coverages, so I’m not trying to emulate my work after just one guy, I just try to get everyone’s strengths and put that on the field.

BCD: Ok cool, Well Wesley’s favorite question to ask , is “ A lot of players use music to get ready for the game , whether to psych themselves up or calm themselves down do you think you need one or the other? Do you need to be psyched up or calmed down? And what tunes do you listen to, or pregame rituals that you partake in?

CR: Yeah , before games , I usually listen to music, get some classic rock, or rap music , or country, I really like to listen to everything. My favorite playlist that I play before every game usually gets me pretty riled up before the game. You want to be calm as the quarterback, but you gotta get the blood flowing.

BCD: That’s cool, now talking about facing our own defense in practice…I’m sure you had an eye on Herzy [last year], but now that he is gone, when you play the 7 on 7’s who do you keep an eye on?

CR: I think no matter what the drill is , you have to look for Kuechly, he could play every position on the defense.

It is [amazing] that he always seems to be in the right place, it’s very strange. You just look up and he is there. That happens because of how hard he works and how much film he watches. He’s definitely there because he knows what’s going on.

BCD: Great, only a couple more questions for you. Then I’ll let you go, I appreciate your time. Is Wetz going to be new guy blocking your blind side? And how do you feel about losing Cazzy?


CR: Cazz and I....we are pretty good friends, and [it was great] having him block my blind side [as] I never really had to worry about anything. He’s a really good player and watches a lot of film and [has] great technique, so I never had to really worry about watching my blind side. Having Wetzel step up and be in those shoes, he’s done a great job this spring. The more you play the more you know what the opponents are going to do and Wetzel has been taking it [all in] and getting a whole bunch of reps. I think once the season starts he is going to be a really good player.

BCD: Who is the serious guy that no one can get to crack a smile. A few years ago Robert Francois, who is now in the NFL, the players used to joke that he was scary as all heck and he wouldn’t crack a smile, are there any guys that is like that on the team this year?

CR: I will probably have to go with Luke Kuechly again, just because while we are practicing or whatever, he has such a mindset and he just takes over and there’s not too much nonsense going on, he’s just making his reads or whatever he needs to do, now outside of football you can make him laugh or whatnot [and] he has a good personality.
And then, he’s not playing now but Kaleb Ramsey, one of our Defensive tackles, he is extremely hard too. And he is very strong.

BCD: Yes, he’s definitely a big dude…seeing him on the sidelines last year gave me a whole new perspective.

CR: Yes , definitely a player who can make a huge impact on our team next year, as he did this year.

BCD: Absolutely, is there anyone on the other side that is kind of the funny guy, that keeps guys loose?

CR: Hmm.. .you know, I think everyone will crack a joke when appropriate when we are scoring touchdowns and stuff. I think some guys are easier going than others; but I think Coach Rogers has a pretty funny personality after the plays or whatever, or when we are in the film room or whatever and puts us in a better mood you know?

BCD: One more serious one for you, the big spring game that is coming up, what are you looking to improve on in the spring game and how will you judge success in the game?

CR: You know I just want to be able to execute every play, and I want everyone--all eleven on the field—to run the play to the fullest potential. If we can do that the play is going to be successful. The way we can judge success, is how well we executed. [Whether or not that results in] touchdowns and [impressive] statistics, all that stuff will take care of itself.

BCD: Alright, that’s great, and obviously, I have to ask the question, is your favorite BC Blog "BCDraft"?

CR: Well Definitely!

BCD: I thought you might say that! But in all seriousness, Chase—thanks so much for being with us here today and taking the time to speak with Eagles fans. We’re all looking forward to a great season and are behind you guys all the way.

CR: No problem. Go BC!