April 17, 2008

Chestnut Hill, MA (UWIRE) -- According to many pundits, there is no such thing as springtime in Chestnut Hill. However, now that the hockey team has completed its tremendous season and returned home to bask in the sun that is peaking through Boston's notoriously cloudy skies, one thing is clear: it's time for spring football.

As permitted by NCAA rules, every spring, the football team holds 15 official practices. The purpose of spring practice is to provide answers; the sentiment this year is no different. On offense, Boston College must find solutions at a multiplicity of positions.

Offensive coordinator Steve Logan's first priority is, of course, finding a replacement at quarterback for Matt Ryan. While no one on campus has perfected Ryan's magical three-step dropback and throw, rising senior Chris Crane has jumped to the front of the race. Crane, who drew heavy praise in the past as Ryan's backup, finds himself atop the depth chart with high hopes.

In the team's first spring scrimmage last week, the quarterback completed 12-of-23 passing attempts for 132 yards while directing the first team offense. In the past, Crane has flashed a solid arm and surprising mobility. He completed 17-of-26 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in his only collegiate start two seasons ago against Buffalo. Crane also had two rushing touchdowns in the game, aptly substituting for an injured Ryan.

Crane currently ranks ahead of freshman Dominique Davis on the depth chart. Davis, who redshirted last season, offers more mobility than Crane, but less arm strength and accuracy.

In the scrimmage, Davis completed seven of 13 passes for 72 yards. At present, he is ahead of freshman Chris Johnson and sophomore Codi Boek. Coaches are trying to rework Johnson's throwing motion, while Boek adjusts to Division I football. The transfer spent last season at American River Junior College in California.

Callender ran for 885 yards last season as the starter, while Whitworth contributed with 335 yards on the ground as the No. 2 back. Now that they have both graduated, two freshmen are expected to contribute at the position.

The unquestioned favorite to land the starting role is Josh Haden, a four-star recruit from Maryland who enrolled at BC in January. The 5-foot-8 running back offers more speed and quickness than Callendar and Whitworth did.

Haden runs a smooth 4.4 40-yard dash, and coaches expect his quickness to translate well onto the football field. In high school, he drew comparisons to former college stars like Warrick Dunn and Tiki Barber.

Freshman Dan Mulrooney, who was listed as a free safety when he redshirted last season, is presently competing with Haden for the starting gig.

The 6-foot-1 back offers more strength than Haden, and it showed in last week's scrimmage when he outperformed his competitor. Mulrooney carried the ball 19 times for 52 yards, while Haden ran for just 20 yards on 10 touches. While Haden remains the favorite to start next fall, Mulrooney's progress in the backfield may prevent him from returning to safety.

At fullback, James McCluskey returns as the starter. The rising sophomore, who ran for three scores last season, carried the ball 13 times for 48 yards in the scrimmage. McCluskey is a good short-yardage back and a solid lead blocker. He enters the spring as the most established player in the backfield.

While BC's backfield will be marked by youth and inexperience next fall, the receiving corps returns most of its weapons in 2008. Starters Brandon Robinson and Rich Gunnell should lead an improved group of wide receivers.

Although Robinson is sitting out spring practice with an arm injury, his status as the team's deep threat is well-established. He caught 56 passes for 793 yards and five touchdowns last season. Gunnell, who grabbed 64 passes last year, and fellow junior Clarence Megwa, who contributed with 30, appear to be two of Crane's favorite targets across the middle of the field.

While those three players bring continuity to the picture, rising sophomores Ifeanyi Momah and Justin Jarvis have improved tremendously since the end of last season. Early reports indicate that Momah, who caught four passes in last week's scrimmage, may be the Eagles most improved player. The 6-foot-6 receiver caught just one pass last season, but may be the team's top red-zone target. Jarvis, another big target, caught 19 passes in 2007. The expectation is that his statistics may double in 2008.

BC appears set at tight end, where All-ACC First Team performer Ryan Purvis returns. The senior caught 54 passes last season for 553 yards. The coaches are expecting Purvis to work on his blocking this spring to help an inexperienced offensive line and running game.

Rising sophomore Jordan McMichael, who has battled injuries in his first two seasons, and redshirt freshman Lars Anderson are battling for the backup role.

On the offensive line, the Eagles must replace mammoth left tackle Gosder Cherilus and right guard Ty Hall.

To protect Crane's blind side, right tackle Anthony Costanzo has shifted to Cherilus's old spot. Costanzo performed admirably starting as a true freshman last season, and should be an anchor on the line.

Sophomore Rich Lapham and junior Pat Sheil are competing for the right tackle spot. Early reports show that Lapham has the upper hand in the competition.

At center, Matt Tennant is expected to retain his starting position after a solid 2007 campaign. Directly to his left, senior Cliff Ramsey should also start at guard. Tennant and Ramsey will provide veteran leadership for a relatively young line.

At right guard, sophomore Thomas Claiborne leads in the competition to replace Hall. Claiborne, a defensive tackle last season, recently made the switch to guard and has performed very well. Although he suffered an injury in the recent scrimmage, the coaching staff is excited about his potential.

While the offensive line may struggle this spring, expectations hold that the unit will be much improved by the time fall rolls around. Their development will go a long way in determining how successful the offense as a whole will be.

As is the case with most quarterbacks, Crane will succeed if he has time. The same goes for Dominique Davis and the other quarterbacks.

Likewise, if the offensive line can open up holes in the running game, Haden and company will have a chance to shine. And as most people learned last season, when Steve Logan calls plays, anything can happen.

If spring practice provides the team with more answers than question marks, that unpredictability should prove to be quite fruitful in 2008.

(C) 2008 The Heights via UWIRE