FS Jamie Silva

2005 Statistics

Coach: Tom O'Brien
66-42, 9 years
2005 Record: 9-3
at Brigham Young WON 20-3
ARMY WON 44-7
FLORIDA STATE LOST 17-28
at Clemson WON 16-13 (OT)
BALL STATE WON 38-0
VIRGINIA WON 28-17
WAKE FOREST WON 35-30
at Virginia Tech LOST 10-30
at North Carolina LOST 14-16
NC STATE WON 30-10
at Maryland WON 31-16
MPC COMPUTERS BOWL
vs. Boise State WON 27-21
 

2005 Final Rankings
AP-18, Coaches-17, BCS-21

2006 Outlook

Tom O'Brien doesn't want to hear about competing for the ACC Title. "We lost a ton of experience and a lot of good football players," O'Brien said. Replacing key losses on the offensive and defensive lines, at wide receiver and at linebacker are foremost in the thoughts of O'Brien, an old-school coach who likes to downplay his assets.

The receiving corps and defensive line will be under the microscope early, and the line’s ability to stop the run should be a good barometer of this entire team. If B.J. Raji and Nick Larkin come through with big seasons, BC could vault into the top 20 rather easily. But issues on the DL will keep the Golden Eagles from being able to balance the entire defensive effort as the talented back seven lends itself to stopping the run and (early) foes will then find the middle passing game more viable. The right offensive coordinators will figure out how to do this (so they have a chance against FSU). Still, BC has done an excellent job in grooming average players to be ready to play at this conference’s level, so never expect much of a drop-off from this very tough team. Assets of a strong QB unit and RBs who are competing for playing time should allow the WRs/passing game to be more than they/it seem(s). The boys from Bean Town will have to outscore the more powerful offenses they encounter, and they have the wares to do such.

The early six-game span that brings the meat of their ACC schedule (along with non-con BYU) will define how far BC goes. We hope this team surprises us by playing smash-mouth on both sides, but the contrast between the offensive and defensive efforts won’t be enough for the Eagles to overcome. BC will beat teams they should and lose against the better ones – few upsets are to be expected. The ACC Atlantic isn’t that stacked, so momentum gained in their campaign’s second half means there is an outside chance they can take their half and land in Jacksonville (playing for the conference championship December 2nd).


Projected 2006 record: 8-4
BOSTON COLLEGE
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 3.5 DL - 3.5
RB - 4 LB - 3
WR - 3 DB - 4
OL - 3 ..
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Matt Ryan, 195-121-5, 1514 yds., 8 TD

Rushing: L.V. Whitworth, 189 att., 807 yds., 5 TD

Receiving: Tony Gonzalez, 28 rec., 414 yds., 5 TD

Scoring: Ryan Ohliger, 9-14 FG, 19-20 PAT, 46 pts.

Punting: Johnny Ayers, 62 punts, 41.3 avg.

Kicking: Ryan Ohliger, 9-14 FG, 19-20 PAT, 46 pts.

Tackles: Jamie Silva, 87 tot., 60 solo

Sacks: Nick Larkin, 6 sacks

Interceptions: Ryan Glasper, 2 for 12 yds.; DeJuan Tribble, 2 for 0 yds.

Kickoff Returns: DeJuan Tribble, 8 ret., 18.8 avg., 0 TD

Punt Returns: DeJuan Tribble, 12 ret., 11.0 avg., 0 TD

 

TB L.V. Whitworth
BOSTON COLLEGE
OFFENSE - 5
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Quinton Porter-QB, Paddy Lynch-FB, Will Blackmon-WR, Larry Lester-WR, Chris Miller-TE, Jeremy Trueblood-OT, Patrick Ross-C, William Troost-K
DEFENSE: Mathias Kiwanuka-DE, Alvin Washington-DT, Ricky Brown-LB, Ray Henderson-LB, Jazzmen Williams-CB
2006 OFFENSE

Quarterback
Junior Matt Ryan is the clear-cut starter after excelling late last season. The Eagles are thrilled with how Ryan handled himself when put in the fire, and he seems to have natural playmaking skills and leadership ability (5-0 as a starter). Ryan has gotten better with each game/start, so this should be a breakout year for him. At 6-foot-5, both Ryan and backup Chris Crane have the physical ability to dominate at the college level. Crane is a few steps faster than Ryan, but Ryan can escape well and gains ground yards when needed. Head coach Tom O’Brien just has to keep these two healthy for this to be the team’s strongest asset, for the drop off would be major if not.

Running Back
The Eagles are excited to have two talented backs returning. Juniors L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender compliment each other nicely. At 220 pounds, Whitworth has the size and strength to get the tough yardage between the tackles while Callender has the speed and wiggle to break things outside. Even with all that experience, the Eagles most talented back is probably sophomore A.J. Brooks. Brooks is a threat to go the distance from anywhere on the field. As he learns to handle the little things like the blitz pick-ups, he should see more and more time. Mark Palmer, a 6-3, 245-pound senior, returns to the starting fullback slot and provides excellent lead blocking. The team lacks depth at fullback - plans to move 207-pound senior J. Survival Ross from tailback and put a few pounds on him. This should prove fruitful. BC needs to get their FBs more touches to keep DLmen/LBs honest and to open it up more for their TBs. This unit is stronger than it has been (ranked 59th in ’05) and should be able to set up the pass with more success.

Receiver
BC lost a ton of experience outside and will need several upperclassmen to step up. Senior Tony Gonzalez has always been a big play guy, and he will now show more consistency and better route running to become the No. 1 option for Ryan. Undersized junior Kevin Challenger will get the first crack at the other starting spot. The Montreal-native has nice speed and movement skills but at 5-foot-9 and just 177 pounds, he needs to better get off press coverage so as to get into his routes. Sophomore Brandon Robinson and senior Taylor Sele are experienced enough to start if either Gonzalez or Challenger falters. Robinson and especially Sele bring more size to the table and either is a nice slot options. Redshirt freshman Clarence Megwa and Rich Gunnell will provide the size coach O’Brien wants and will see reps due to this. Injuries are further covered by their most recent recruiting class (strong WR showing). Developments of a sound corps will dictate much as to how far the entire offense can go.

Tight End
Sophomore Jon Loyte, a massive presence, will be finally be eligible (transfer from Vanderbilt) and is the frontrunner to handle the tight end duties. Obviously, this Gloucester-native has the size and power to be their dominant edge blocker, though he needs to develop a better feel for the passing game. Sophomore Ryan Purvis has the best snarling skills and may be the primary target for Ryan coming off the line, but junior Ryan Thompson has had more success gaining yards on his few touches. The Eagles use this position extensively in their passing game (34 receptions combined in ’05), so the guy who shows he can offer the most this way is sure to see action.

Offensive Line
The Eagles return enough in junior guard Josh Beekman, (6-8) senior guard James Marten and (6-7) junior tackle Gosder Cherilus to give them a semi-gelled unit already. This trio of 300+-pounders has started every game for the past two seasons. Beekman and Marten are maulers who can dominate as straight-line blockers but will have trouble with quick first steps and penetration by speedy, undersized DLmen. Somerville-native Cherilus has the wingspan to dominate on the outside and has developed into one of the more underrated tackles in America. BC's coaches have declared the other two spots up for grabs, with Kevin Sheridan (C) and Ty Hall (T) having the most experience. Sheridan looks like the best bet inside as he has good technique and the smarts to handle the line calls. Soph Ryan Poles is a prototypical right tackle who will win the battle if he can stay consistent. Anything could happen here, so we will let you know as things develop.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The Eagles offense should be tough to stop as long as the receiving corps holds their water. Gonzalez has to go from being a nice secondary target to one of their go-to guys, and Challenger or Robinson has to develop into quality options, or their bevy of qualified youngsters will have to be inserted. QB Matt Ryan proved what he could down the stretch last season, and will only get better. Backup Chris Crane allows BC not to miss a step if/when he is inserted. Linemen Whitworth and Callender should form a potentially dominant push for their potentially potent rushing attack, but the center to be has to be as strong or it could impact their inside attempts. Guard Beekman is a third team all-American by our standards, so the nucleus up front should carry most areas well, regardless. This balanced attack is hard to stop as it is methodical while also providing quick-strike ability.

 

OG Josh Beekman

 

BOSTON COLLEGE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Matt Ryan-Jr (6-5, 221) Chris Crane-So (6-5, 228)
FB Mark Palmer-Sr (6-3, 245) J. Survival Ross-Sr (6-0, 207)
TB L.V. Whitworth-Jr (6-0, 220) Andre Callender-Jr (5-11, 204)
WR Kevin Challenger-Jr (5-9, 177) Brandon Robinson-So (5-11, 191)
WR Tony Gonzalez-Sr (5-11, 190) Taylor Sele-Sr (6-0, 203)
TE Jon Loyte-So (6-6, 262) Ryan Purvis-So (6-4, 261)
Trey Koziol-So (6-5, 259)
OT Ryan Poles-Jr (6-4, 310) ..
OG James Marten-Sr (6-8, 315) ..
C Ty Hall-Jr (6-5, 296) Kevin Sheridan-Jr (6-3, 296)
OG Josh Beekman-Sr (6-2, 325) Tom Anevski-Jr (6-4, 301)
OT Gosder Cherilus-Jr (6-7, 320) ..
K Ryan Ohliger-Jr (5-9, 197) ..

 

2006 DEFENSE

Defensive Line
The line returns starters at tackle in junior B.J. Raji and end Nick Larkin, but BC lacks bodies here and will have a very difficult time in replacing an all-American. Raji is a 337lb. load inside but seems to lack stamina and take plays off far too often. Maybe he needs to lose some pounds, as he has gained too many seemingly year to year (started off at 295 as an incoming recruit, and was 322 in ‘05). Nick Larkin is an undersized speed rusher who can get mauled at the point of attack if you can isolate him in the running game. Both players have yet to live up to their potential(s). Redshirt freshmen Nick Rossi (6’6”) and Austin Giles both have the frames to hold up at “base” end and compliment the undersized Larkin, but neither is very quick. Another faster redshirt freshman, Canadian-born Brendan Deska, may be the future, but at just 240 pounds, the Eagles may not be able to pair him with Larkin just yet. Sophomore Ron Brace is a load (343 lbs.) and should be a top-tier run stuffer inside on early downs while sophomore Jerry Willette has better movement skills and will rotate in for passing situations. The bottom line is there is no clear set of four yet, and until proven in combat, this is a marginal group.

Linebacker
Outside, talented junior Brian Toal returns and will likely be the Eagles' top defensive playmaker. The rangy Toal (five-star and No.3 ILB recruit in ‘04 – Rivals.com) can go sideline to sideline and chase ball carriers down (4.4 second in the 40). Classmate Jolonn Dunbar will take over the starting middle linebacker position. He keys and diagnoses very well and seems to have a nose for the football. Another junior, Brockton-native Tyronne Pruitt, will have the first shot at the other weakside spot. With his lack of size, the Eagles will need to keep ex-RB Pruitt mobile and he will likely become more of a cover guy underneath. Redshirt freshman Mike McLaughlin looks like a future star and if anyone falters, he will be able to pick up the slack. Two former-DBs have been bumped into this area, so even a few injuries (especially if all at once) would make this corps’ impact lessened, and with an already shaky DL, run-stopping would then be iffy.

Defensive Back
Junior safety Jamie Silva is a big time playmaker (team’s top tackler) who brings a thud in run support and can run all day with receivers in coverage. Sophomore Paul Anderson has the size to be a dominating strong safety and played well in limited action last year. Anderson will step aside for perennial starter Ryan Glasper when he returns from injury (hip). Glasper and Silva compose just about (next to Toal and Dunbar) the best position tandem on the entire D. Junior DeJuan Tribble also returns and is an excellent field corner with great hips and a feel for zone coverage. Though a bit small (5’9”), Cincinnati-native Tribble plays big as a solo tackler (second on team with 48). Junior Taji Morris and senior Larry Anam will be battling for “boundary” corner. Morris is likely the slot guy as coaches seem a little more comfortable with Anam, who is taller and faster. Depth is a question mark with a few experienced DBs dotting the roster, but injuries here, too, would be devastating to the overall impact of the (pass) defense.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
It's no longer a given that the Eagles will have a stifling defense (if they finish close to No.16 again, most insiders will plotz). The efforts of all 11 will only work if they operate as a group, for few stars inhabit the DL. But with only two BQ-hurries last campaign, the new group at least can be better in one statistical category. Raji and Larkin have been underachievers to this point in now-departed Kiwanuka's shadow, and these guys must bust out for the Eagles to remain anywhere close to a top-tier group. The linebacking corps will still be solid with weakside star Toal being joined by a star-in-the-making Dunbar, but how much they help out up front will translate into how solid underneath coverage is. The starting secondary will remain very productive, but, like all areas, cannot sustain too many injuries. Don’t be surprised to see a 3-4-4 or a 3-3-5 alignment. This conference is brutal and getting better each year, and the D looks to be a weak point in close games against better teams.

 

LB Brian Toal

 

BOSTON COLLEGE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Austin Giles-Fr (6-3, 283) Brendan Deska-Fr (6-5, 243)
DT Ron Brace-So (6-3, 343) Justin Bell-Jr (6-3, 316)
DT B.J. Raji-Jr (6-1, 337) Keith Willis-So (6-1, 266)
DE Nick Larkin-Jr (6-4, 252) Jim Ramella-So (6-4, 244)
SLB Tyronne Pruitt-Jr (5-11, 218) Kevin Akins-So (6-2, 205)
MLB Jolonn Dunbar-Jr (6-1, 224) ..
WLB Brian Toal-Jr (6-1, 238) Robert Francois-So (6-2, 235)
CB DeJuan Tribble-Jr (5-9, 189) Taji Morris-Jr (5-10, 184)
CB Larry Anam-Sr (6-0, 192) Brad Mueller-So (5-11, 186)
SS Ryan Glasper-Sr (6-0, 207) Paul Anderson-So (6-1, 207)
FS Jamie Silva-Jr (5-11, 205) Marcellus Bowman-Fr (6-1, 194)
P Johnny Ayers-So (5-11, 179) ..

 

 

2006 SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker
The Eagles return junior placekicker Ryan Ohliger was solid down the stretch last season and may be one of the nation's best in 2006. He is money from 40 in, but has yet to match his prep state record (DE) of 58 yards with even one from 50+. Being a former-defensive end makes him viable as a stopper, too (surely one of the reasons BC allowed only 17 per KR in ’05).

Punter
Johnny Ayers is also back and has good directional skills. Also on the baseball team (so he is not at spring drills), this junior is one of the best at punting away from dangerous returners. Net results were dismal (ranked 102nd), and with marginal depth on D, improving this area may prove difficult, and therefore field position battles could be lost more often than not.

Return Game
The Eagles don't lack speed and therefore have plenty of options here. The top two choices are Tribble and Callender, and both handled some of the return duties behind now-departed Blackmon last season. Tribble is excellent on punts with a great first step and solid decision-making. Callender has more strength and should be the top choice on kick returns, though Tribble will also get reps there. There are a ton of new guys who run the 40 in 4.4 seconds who may get time here – Ryan Lindsey (4.35) and Andre Jones?