TI correspondent Tim Hadsell accompanied me to today's press conference. Here are some notables he picked up from the interviews:
Wayne Gallman
Wayne was asked what in particular Boston College’s front seven does particularly well in regards to stopping the run. “Their defensive line does a good job of switching like a Gut-X type deal. Their linebackers really enjoy coming downhill and throwing out hits.”
A little more on the blitz Gallman referenced: the TED linebacker in the 3-4 scheme runs in front of the MIKE linebacker and shoots through the weak-side B gap. While the MIKE waits for the TED to run in front of him causing confusion on the offensive line, he then shoots through the weak-side A gap.
Wayne was asked point-blank if he believes that Boston College’s front seven is the best he has faced this year. He states that Clemson’s front seven is the best he has faced thus far.
On a run against Notre Dame that he couldn't finish because he was tired from the plays before:
"Ever since pee wee I have been like that just playing until you give out. I have to learn to just take myself out and let the other running backs have a chance. That game I could have broke that run but my legs were just tired, couldn’t get them up like I wanted to.”
Wayne acknowledges that Boston College has a great defense. He states to end the interview: “They haven’t seen a team like us yet. I feel like it is another big challenge, they have the number one defense in the nation for a reason and that is just the next step we have to take to show what our offense has in store.”
Eric Mac Lain
Obviously this is going to be the best defense we go against all year. I think they blitz more than any team we have faced. So that is going to cause a little chaos in the middle but we are up for the challenge.
Mac Lain gives some insight on one of the best players on this Boston College defense #52 (Steven Daniels) is “They like to put him a lot of different situations, he is a fierce competitor likes to hit really hard. They also like to bring him from everywhere so we are going to have to identify him and pick him up.”
Mac Lain talks about his holding penalty from last week. He said that when he asked to ref what he could have done differently to not get that holding call. The referee stated that it was just a bad call, stating “I saw him (the defender) go down really fast so I thought you (Eric) had to have held him.” He also states that Coach Swinney doesn’t care at all that it was a bad call on the field. Only thing that matters was it was called a penalty.
On the possibility of 14 straight home wins, which would be a school record:
“As a senior, with your final ride being able to take that record and put it under your belt. We are just extremely happy to be able to do something of that nature. Obviously, there has been tons of great teams that played in this stadium and to have the longest winning streak at home would be something special."
Mac Lain gives some more insight on what Boston College really excels at defensively. He states that they do a tremendous job of plugging up the holes up front, specifically the A and B gaps. States that the Tigers will likely find the most success running outside the tackles and by moving the pocket with Deshaun.
Jayron Kearse
"It is good for the offense and it is good to go up against Boston College because they are number one in a lot of categories. So we want to go out and show that we are the better defense on the field and that our offense can have success against anybody.”
Is it similar to play a team like Georgia Tech in terms of running plays ran by both teams? Jayron answered: “They are pretty similar teams, There is a lot of running the ball a lot of ground and pound. Once they lure you to sleep they want to try to run play action plays and beat you deep. Try to play undisciplined and play the run too much. So I feel like there are a lot of similarities to Georgia Tech."
Jayron was asked to talk about the strengths and differences of each of the quarterbacks Boston College uses. He believes that number 5 (Jeff Smith) is definitely the better runner of the two. Also, that Troy (Flutie) is a better thrower than Jeff Smith. He isn’t sure which one is going to start Saturday but the defense will adequately prepare for both.
On Boston College's multitude of formations and personnel groupings:
It is a challenge with just getting aligned the right way each play. It presents a lot of different challenges for us on the defense because they can come out with a 21 personnel on one play and then the next they’re out there in empty. That’s why we like this game it challenges us and is going to make us better for the rest of the season.
Jayron was told that before the Nore Dame game that the ten most “draftable” players were on the Notre Dame side. Do you believe that you have now put your name out there in that conversation. “Hopefully, I did. Right now I'm a college football player and I am going to enjoy my experience.”
Jayron was asked about whether he thinks he is one of the best safeties in the country or not. “I definitely feel like I am one of the top safeties in the country. Put my numbers against anybody and I guarantee it will match up. I have been making plays since I was a freshman and still am making plays. Nobody is playing better than me (at my position).”
Hunter Renfrow
Hunter was asked about his role on the team.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what my role is. I just go out there and run the best route I can, do my best on punt returns and block the guy. Overall, just try to be the best teammate I can.”
Hunter states that he feels like he has always kind of been an underdog. He says that he really enjoys scout team a lot. Biggest difference from last year is nobody really counted on you in scout team you were just kind of there. “This fall people are counting on me and it feels good.”
Hunter was asked if he feels that defenses overlook him with the likes of Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud Artavis Scott and Germone Hopper. “I hope they are. It would free me up a lot. Yeah, I mean sometimes but at the same time Deshaun is going to read it and he does a really good job of not picking favorites but rather throw it to the open guy.
Coach Swinney said earlier today that Hunter looks like a chemist. "I don’t know where that came from, kind of odd but it is what it is. I kind of get a kick out of it, I think it is funny. I know that my body type is not what you expect for a college football player. I just thank the Lord that he blessed me with some talent and I’ll try to make the most of it.”
Wayne Gallman
Wayne was asked what in particular Boston College’s front seven does particularly well in regards to stopping the run. “Their defensive line does a good job of switching like a Gut-X type deal. Their linebackers really enjoy coming downhill and throwing out hits.”
A little more on the blitz Gallman referenced: the TED linebacker in the 3-4 scheme runs in front of the MIKE linebacker and shoots through the weak-side B gap. While the MIKE waits for the TED to run in front of him causing confusion on the offensive line, he then shoots through the weak-side A gap.
Wayne was asked point-blank if he believes that Boston College’s front seven is the best he has faced this year. He states that Clemson’s front seven is the best he has faced thus far.
On a run against Notre Dame that he couldn't finish because he was tired from the plays before:
"Ever since pee wee I have been like that just playing until you give out. I have to learn to just take myself out and let the other running backs have a chance. That game I could have broke that run but my legs were just tired, couldn’t get them up like I wanted to.”
Wayne acknowledges that Boston College has a great defense. He states to end the interview: “They haven’t seen a team like us yet. I feel like it is another big challenge, they have the number one defense in the nation for a reason and that is just the next step we have to take to show what our offense has in store.”
Eric Mac Lain
Obviously this is going to be the best defense we go against all year. I think they blitz more than any team we have faced. So that is going to cause a little chaos in the middle but we are up for the challenge.
Mac Lain gives some insight on one of the best players on this Boston College defense #52 (Steven Daniels) is “They like to put him a lot of different situations, he is a fierce competitor likes to hit really hard. They also like to bring him from everywhere so we are going to have to identify him and pick him up.”
Mac Lain talks about his holding penalty from last week. He said that when he asked to ref what he could have done differently to not get that holding call. The referee stated that it was just a bad call, stating “I saw him (the defender) go down really fast so I thought you (Eric) had to have held him.” He also states that Coach Swinney doesn’t care at all that it was a bad call on the field. Only thing that matters was it was called a penalty.
On the possibility of 14 straight home wins, which would be a school record:
“As a senior, with your final ride being able to take that record and put it under your belt. We are just extremely happy to be able to do something of that nature. Obviously, there has been tons of great teams that played in this stadium and to have the longest winning streak at home would be something special."
Mac Lain gives some more insight on what Boston College really excels at defensively. He states that they do a tremendous job of plugging up the holes up front, specifically the A and B gaps. States that the Tigers will likely find the most success running outside the tackles and by moving the pocket with Deshaun.
Jayron Kearse
"It is good for the offense and it is good to go up against Boston College because they are number one in a lot of categories. So we want to go out and show that we are the better defense on the field and that our offense can have success against anybody.”
Is it similar to play a team like Georgia Tech in terms of running plays ran by both teams? Jayron answered: “They are pretty similar teams, There is a lot of running the ball a lot of ground and pound. Once they lure you to sleep they want to try to run play action plays and beat you deep. Try to play undisciplined and play the run too much. So I feel like there are a lot of similarities to Georgia Tech."
Jayron was asked to talk about the strengths and differences of each of the quarterbacks Boston College uses. He believes that number 5 (Jeff Smith) is definitely the better runner of the two. Also, that Troy (Flutie) is a better thrower than Jeff Smith. He isn’t sure which one is going to start Saturday but the defense will adequately prepare for both.
On Boston College's multitude of formations and personnel groupings:
It is a challenge with just getting aligned the right way each play. It presents a lot of different challenges for us on the defense because they can come out with a 21 personnel on one play and then the next they’re out there in empty. That’s why we like this game it challenges us and is going to make us better for the rest of the season.
Jayron was told that before the Nore Dame game that the ten most “draftable” players were on the Notre Dame side. Do you believe that you have now put your name out there in that conversation. “Hopefully, I did. Right now I'm a college football player and I am going to enjoy my experience.”
Jayron was asked about whether he thinks he is one of the best safeties in the country or not. “I definitely feel like I am one of the top safeties in the country. Put my numbers against anybody and I guarantee it will match up. I have been making plays since I was a freshman and still am making plays. Nobody is playing better than me (at my position).”
Hunter Renfrow
Hunter was asked about his role on the team.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what my role is. I just go out there and run the best route I can, do my best on punt returns and block the guy. Overall, just try to be the best teammate I can.”
Hunter states that he feels like he has always kind of been an underdog. He says that he really enjoys scout team a lot. Biggest difference from last year is nobody really counted on you in scout team you were just kind of there. “This fall people are counting on me and it feels good.”
Hunter was asked if he feels that defenses overlook him with the likes of Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud Artavis Scott and Germone Hopper. “I hope they are. It would free me up a lot. Yeah, I mean sometimes but at the same time Deshaun is going to read it and he does a really good job of not picking favorites but rather throw it to the open guy.
Coach Swinney said earlier today that Hunter looks like a chemist. "I don’t know where that came from, kind of odd but it is what it is. I kind of get a kick out of it, I think it is funny. I know that my body type is not what you expect for a college football player. I just thank the Lord that he blessed me with some talent and I’ll try to make the most of it.”
