The summer just keeps dripping along. But with Maryland set to open practice tomorrow, it’s time to get into a gridiron state of mind. Because we are all busy people, and because I’m disinclined to delve into the battle for starting Gatorade distributor, here is a 10,000-foot preview of your 2010 Terrapins.
- Offensive Line: The five dancing elephants in the room. Maryland ranked 110th in the country in sacks allowed last year and 102nd in tackles for loss allowed. That was with Bruce Campbell as the anchor, and this year Bruce Campbell (and, for that matter, second-best-lineman Phil Costa) ain’t walkin through that door. Bookends R.J. Dill and Justin Gilbert are both promising and large, but they’re also both sophomores. Guards Andrew Gonnella and Bennett Fulper have 12 starts between them. When the Terps take the field against Navy, Paul Pinegar, the line’s only senior, will start his first game at center. Hoo boy. Maryland has some exciting skill players, but if the line can’t stay firm, they’ll be running through Jell-O all season long.
- Running back: Every Terps RB preview starts with the phrase “If they can stay healthy.” Who am I to buck conventions? If Da’rel Scott, who missed five games in ‘09 with a broken wrist, can stay healthy, they’ll have a good unit. When he did play, Da’rel somehow managed five yards a carry, proving he can hit home runs even with a poor o-line. Davin Meggett is a decent complement, especially as a pass catcher. Gary Douglas could change the pace. Sledgehammer D.J. Adams will see short-yardage action.
- Receiver: Torrey Smith is playing his junior and probably final season in College Park. In 2009, he finished sixth in the nation for all-purpose yards and in the top 60 for receiving yards. He was all-ACC last year and should be so again. He could set the NCAA record for kickoff return yards, not to mention several team receiving marks. But this unit is more than Torrey. Adrian “Have A Few Words With The” Cannon is back on the other side, and Ronnie Tyler will start in the slot. LaQuan Williams also returns.
- Quarterback: Playing time in seven games last season, including two starts, gives Jamarr Robinson the most experience under center. His arm is strong, if not accurate. He’s mobile, but tends to go more east-west than north-south. If he can’t produce, requests for The Ballad of Danny O’Brien could flood the hotlines.
- Defensive line: As with the offense, a soggy line kept the defense on slippery footing last year. They finished second-to-last in the ACC in total defense, and there doesn’t appear to be major improvement for 2010. Sophomore A.J. Francis is the only returning starter. Derek Drummond and Justin Anderson should start at the ends. From the hope-springs-eternal-in-the-spring department, Joe Vellano was evidently a one-man gang in April.
- Linebackers: Preseason all-ACC first teamer Alex Wujciak, fellow senior Adrian Moten, and 2009 breakout Demetrius Hartsfield will again be — and need to be — big predators for the Terps defense. Despite the overall unit woes, the LBs got 30.5 tackles for loss and lots of accolades last year, and should be improved for 2010 after a year studying Don Brown’s Let-God-Sort-Em-Out philosophy.
- Secondary: If the line underwhelms again, the linebackers, who are better run stuffers as it is, will have to compensate. Looks like the third level will be on an island again. In 2009, the Terps finished last in the ACC for pass defense, and return only one corner — Cameron Chism — from that unit. Antwine Perez and Kenny Tate are game at safety.
- Coaches: It’s probably Bowl Game Or Get Off The Pot for Ralph Friedgen. With a new athletic director (not to mention university president) entering the fold soon, and Fridge in the final year of his contract, this is it. O-coordinator James Franklin, Debbie Yow’s handpicked Coach In Waiting, may not have the same understanding with the new honchos. If they go 2-10, or anything like it, a cleaning of houses is in the offing.
Bottom line: Could be another long season. The official ACC preseason media poll has them dead last in the Atlantic Division, and they received the second-lowest total votes, ahead of only Virginia. Last season’s strengths – rushing, receiving, special teams – remain strong. Weak spots – the lines and the secondary — remain weak. The key will be whether new players will shore up the leaky spots in the dike or just bore a new set of holes.
Final score: Better luck and a relatively easy schedule gets them to 5-7, but it’s not enough for a bowl game, or to save Ralph Friedgen’s job. This all has the look and feel of a program poised to tip itself into rebuilding mode. Let the bloodletting begin.
(Photo credit: NJ.com)
