Bye week Q&A for the Eagles' Nest

I think we can all agree a break for everyone is nice this week, fans and team.

It’s been a surprising 1-2 start to the year given how the last two games have looked. As crushing as the Michigan State loss was, the Stanford game is the one that has the fan base worried already and it’s still September.

With no practice or interviews open to the media this week, I figured it’d be a good time to try another Eagle’s Nest message board Q&A. Didn’t have many responses (I assume you all just needed a mental break from this program), but here’s what I’ve got for those that did respond:

Why did BC not have a plan with that timeout before the end of the 1st half and go for a TD rather than settle for 3?

I wish I knew and didn’t get a chance to ask postgame. It was actually stunning, I’m pretty sure they had 14 seconds left and it ran down to three if I remember correctly. Given the experience on the staff and Bill O’Brien’s vast experience head coaching in the NFL and at this level, it feels like just a complete whiff in the situation.

Jaedn Skeete, superstar of summer camp (a.k.a. the new Jerome Ledbetter), has only 5 catches in the first three games and zero catches, and I believe zero targets, against Stanford. What the heck is going on with Lonergan and Skeete?

I should probably know who Ledbetter is, but in terms of Skeete I’m really surprised. He was legitimately the best receiver in camp and was constantly open. On one hand, you love to see Lonergan having the chemistry he does with Lewis Bond as the team’s No. 1 and I think Reed Harris is eventually going to be a problem on Sundays, but Skeete’s quiet start is puzzling.

I wouldn’t hit the panic button on it yet, but if he stays quiet through the UConn game then I’d be worried. He’s healthy and does help Harris and Bond when he’s on the field, but like you, I’d like to see him start getting more production. He’s still the fastest guy they have besides Wilkins.

Kevin does this make any PR sense for the program? State secrets-it is football! Wow.

This was in reference to closing practice this week. I can see it from both sides.

From my perspective, it sucks because it makes our job harder trying to come up with content for the week. I’m also very surprised they’re not choosing to get the positive ‘we’re going to be fine, we’ve regrouped’ etc. message out there for the fan base that’s clearly concerned (rightfully so).

On the other hand, it might be a good thing that they’re saying ‘it’s just us’ this week, no one else around. Let’s lock back in and do what we can to right the ship. I don’t hate it, especially after Harris’ comments postgame about guys not being fully locked in out in California.

Is it because half the team left?

Nah. I genuinely think O’Brien just wanted to close the doors and not have any distractions or guys having to answer all of our negative questions. They’re also really banged up and probably don’t want us to see who is and isn’t practicing (even though we can’t report on it anyways). I don’t hate that they closed it to us, even if it does make things a bit tougher on us. It is what it is.

Kevin –Your predictions for the year were pretty hopeful. Do you want to amend them at this point given the season experience thus far?

Some of it, yes.

Nine wins is obviously one of the dumber things I’ve said, but after camp I thought this offense (especially the running game) would be excellent. I still think the passing game can get in a shootout with anybody and I have more confidence in most than the O-line still, but I didn’t expect the defense to give up what they’ve given up so far.

The lack of tackling is a hard thing to fix, because with only three days of work during the week, they can’t really tackle ‘live’ to the ground. They had a very physical training camp, but it certainly hasn’t translated.

Always appreciate you guys helping out with these!