Linked to the Heights, Oct. 15: Steve Addazio, Setter-Upper

Sep 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College head coach Steve Addazio talks to his players during the first half against Maine at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

It’s nice to be nice, but maybe Boston College head coach Steve Addazio was too nice.

More from Football

• Offensive Coordinator Ryan Day Leaves Boston College Football
• Colton Lichtenberg Commits to Boston College Football; Shores Up Kicking Game
• Soaring to Glory Show, Jan. 21, 2015: We’re Back, Baby
• Cost of Attendance: You Know, Boston College Has a Point
• Boston College Recruiting: Football Offers Jeremy Larkin, Jayson Ademilola

In yesterday’s press conference notes, Addazio made the Clemson Tigers defense sound good — very good — but Clemson’s defensive coordinator is having none of it.

Today’s news:

Boston College Football

Venables on Addazio’s Comments: “He’s Trying to Set Us Up”
TigerNet.com (David Hood)

The Boston College head coach was flattering to Clemson to the point of actually drawing a modest, downplaying response from the Eagles’ opposition.

“I haven’t seen a defense like this since we played Alabama in the [2009] SEC Championship Game. This is the most dominant defense I have seen. Period.” (Steve Addazio, Monday).

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said that he felt Addazio was trying to “set [them] up” as being better than they actually are. He noted that his players have made some big changes for the better since last season, but that they are still not perfect.

It isn’t like Venables didn’t take the compliment: He just engaged in some “coach-speak” of his own, as the article put it.

He also does not want his defensive players to get too cocky heading into Boston College, knowing that even though the Eagles are an imperfect product themselves, at their best, they have beaten a top-ten team at home this season. It’s all about humility and managing expectations.