GREENSBORO, N.C. — Boston College center Andy Gallik and defensive back Dominique Williams spoke with reporters on Day 1 of the ACC Kickoff. Here are a few nuggets that we learned about the Eagles today.
•Gallik said the No. 1 thing Steve Addazio has implemented at Boston College is toughness, which he said was much-needed after a string of down years. He then added that he’s jealous of the incoming freshmen because “they get five years of him, and I only get two.”
•Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse will split the majority of the carries in the running game, Gallik said. While Andre Williams was a special talent, Gallik believes those two can replicate his numbers due to Boston College’s offensive system, which relies on wearing down opponents on the ground.
•”This will be the most special line I’ve ever been a part of,” Gallik said. “This is the closest brotherhood of an offensive line that I’ve ever been a part of.” Gallik said the chemistry on the Eagles’ line, which returns three starters, carries over on the field, and their communication is seamless already.
•Two Florida transfers will be chiefly important to Boston College this year: quarterback Tyler Murphy and right tackle Ian Silberman. Gallik said Silberman jumped right in as a member of the family from day one, and he already knows the offense because it’s the same one he learned from Addazio at Florida. Williams said he’s been surprised at how fast Murphy is, and he hasn’t struggled at all to accept a quarterback’s leadership role despite this being his first season.
•Both Gallik and Williams raved about Shakim Phillips, who spent a year at Boston College then transferred to Connecticut and then transferred back to Boston College this season. Phillips provides big-play ability to a receiving corps that lacked many dangerous weapons, so he was a much-welcomed addition this offseason.
•Despite losing six starters from last season’s front seven, Williams said the next crop of players is ready to emerge due to the strong leadership skills of the guys who left last season. He mentioned Mehdi Abdesmad and Brian Mihalik by name as players who are prepared to play like experienced veterans.
•Williams praised linebacker Steven Daniels’ leadership. “He just motivates people. He motivates me,” he said. “Even if he’s barking at me and yelling at me, it gets me going … That’s something he brings to the table.”
•Harold Landry, Isaac Yiadom and Allen Dawson — all who enrolled early — have stepped in quickly and are expected to make significant contributions this year, Williams said.
•Addazio’s movement within the Boston College program is to “Be A Dude.” Williams laughed at it, saying, “It kind of caught me off guard the first time, but I’ve come to embrace it.”
•Williams quickly answered a question about whether Boston College gets the proper amount of respect. “No. No. I don’t think people respect us. I don’t think teams respect us at all,” he said. “But that’s kind of a chip on the shoulder. That’s one thing we don’t like, and we use that to our advantage.”