2008 Maryland Terrapins Preview

The 2007 season left Maryland fans wondering what the Terrapins could have accomplished had the team not been decimated by injuries. Seventeen players on the two-deep depth chart missed at least one game with injury. Barring another injury-ravaged season, the Terrapins should be able to move the ball more consistently with 10 returning offensive starters. Coach Ralph Friedgen has depth and experience on an offensive line that could be the best during his time in College Park. The wide receiving corps could be among the ACC’s best. And Maryland has two capable quarterbacks who could see playing time.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Terrapins

Maryland has enough weapons offensively to consistently score points, provided players quickly adjust to first-year offensive coordinator James Franklin’s West Coast system. An experienced offensive line should offset the losses of two impact running backs, Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball. The wide receiving corps could thrive, particularly Darrius Heyward-Bey, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season. With five receivers who run 4.5 or better 40-yard-dash times, coach Ralph Friedgen has plenty of playmakers offensively. He just needs someone to get them the ball. Quarterback Chris Turner could be the man at the start of the season, but don’t be surprised to see as many as three quarterbacks get snaps during the course of the season. Turner needs to continue his development from last season, when he finished third in the conference in passing efficiency. Unlike much of last season, at least Friedgen has options. Defensively, Maryland will need a few leaders to emerge. Defensive linemen Jeremy Navarre and Trey Covington are experienced and will need to shine. Linebacker Dave Philistin and cornerback Kevin Barnes are two other players entering the season with high expectations. Place-kicker Obi Egekeze, who missed only one field goal in ACC play, could help Maryland win close games.

The biggest change concerns Friedgen, who has given up his dual role of head coach and offensive coordinator, a responsibility he held the past two seasons. Friedgen brought back James Franklin, who had worked under him previously as wide receivers coach, to serve as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Franklin, who brings a West Coast offensive philosophy, had spent a year with the Green Bay Packers and the past two seasons at Kansas State, where he was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Franklin’s return also frees up Friedgen to oversee the program more like a chief executive, allowing him to spend more time bolstering relationships with players.

“Now he gets a chance to really be a head coach,” wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey says. “He has been more relaxed. He just seems like he can worry about the things he has to worry about.”

Quarterbacks

At times last season, it was uncertain whether Friedgen had even one healthy and eligible quarterback available. Now he has three options. Chris Turner, who was third in the ACC in passing efficiency, has a slight lead in the quarterback competition because he started the final eight games last season, leading the Terrapins to victories over two teams then ranked in the top 10, Rutgers and Boston College. But Friedgen has called his quarterback situation “wide open,” adding: “I’m not opposed to playing more than one quarterback if it works. It is only fair we start off with Chris where he is, but that’s not a job that is marked in concrete. It is a nice problem to have.” Turner, who has a laid-back California demeanor, is more a drop-back passer, while Jordan Steffy, who started the first five games before suffering a concussion against Rutgers, has more mobility and could be a sound fit in the West Coast offense. Josh Portis, a transfer from Florida who did not play last season because he violated Maryland’s academic code of integrity policy, possesses what Franklin calls “freakish physical skills.” Portis, however, remains a work in progress.

Running backs

Maryland has talent at the tailback position, but the Terrapins lack experience and depth. That was bound to occur after losing Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball, a duo that combined for 25 touchdowns last season. Ball finished his career ranked fourth on the school’s all-time rushing list. The onus now rests with Da’Rel Scott and Morgan Green to carry the rushing attack. Returning players account for only 15 percent of last season’s rushing total, and Scott and Green combined to carry the ball only 17 times in 2007. Scott is an explosive back with breakaway speed. He averaged 18.5 yards each time he touched the ball, which has the coaching staff optimistic that he can be a consistent threat. Green, who amassed gaudy rushing statistics in high school, was slowed by injury last season. A key to rushing success will be keeping both Scott and Green healthy. Scott is 5'11", 192 pounds, so it remains to be seen whether he can take a beating week to week and continue to be the primary back.

Receivers

Expect the wide receiving corps to enjoy a breakout season. Maryland returns its top four, including Heyward-Bey, who has made nearly 100 catches the past two seasons. Heyward-Bey, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season, was an honorable mention All-America selection and promises to be among the nation’s most explosive receivers. But he is far from the only threat. Five receivers run 4.5 or better in the 40-yard dash. Isaiah Williams has amassed nearly 800 receiving yards the past two years. Danny Oquendo, who was typically a third-down receiver last season, went down with a knee injury before the Boston College game and should figure more prominently in the offense. Another player to watch is LaQuan Williams, who also suffered a late-season knee injury.

Offensive linemen

Maryland’s offensive line should be one of the best in the conference. Four full-time starters are back, and five of this year’s top six linemen are seniors. All played last season, when injuries decimated the line and contributed to the Terrapins tying for 105th nationally in sacks allowed. Center Edwin Williams has started 26 career games, and Dane Randolph has started 17 games at right tackle. Left tackle Scott Burley started 12 games and earned All-ACC honors, even though he was hampered by sprains to both ankles at various points during the season. Left guard Jaimie Thomas played in the Emerald Bowl but missed the second half of the regular season with a fractured right fibula. At right guard, Phil Costa and Jack Griffin both have experience and versatility after filling in for injured players on the line last season.

Defensive linemen

The defensive line is largely untested and is one of the bigger question marks. Much of the leadership responsibility will fall to Jeremy Navarre, who has started a team-high 35 games. Navarre, who is expected to move inside to the tackle position, is Maryland’s active career leader in tackles for a loss and sacks. Mack Frost will move into Navarre’s end slot, but he missed spring practice while recovering from knee surgery. That allowed two athletic players, Jared Harrell and Brian Whitmore, the opportunity to get more experience as they look to contribute this fall. Travis Ivey, who played mostly in goal line situations last season, will need to make an impact at nose tackle. Trey Covington will play the LEO slot, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position, for the fourth straight season. He had nine tackles in the Emerald Bowl and will need to make a contribution as a pass rusher off the edge.

Linebackers

Maryland will be hard-pressed to make up for the departure of All-American Erin Henderson, but the Terrapins still have several playmakers in the unit, which is one of Maryland’s deepest defensive positions. Dave Philistin ranked fourth in the ACC in tackles last season. Adrian Moten made a significant impact as a freshman, playing all three linebacker positions and tying for the team lead in sacks. One player the coaching staff is particularly high on is Alex Wujciak, who was poised to make an impact last season before he suffered a knee injury at the end of preseason camp. Another player returning from injury is Chase Bullock, who played sparingly last season after hurting both ankles.

Defensive backs

The secondary took a significant hit, losing three important starters. Maryland will quickly need a leader and a few playmakers to emerge. The one positive is the return of cornerback Kevin Barnes, a senior with speed and size who led the team with four interceptions last season. Free safety Terrell Skinner and strong safety Jeff Allen both played in all 13 games last season but will be looked upon to provide more of an impact. Watch for Antwine Perez, a physical safety who sat out after transferring from USC, to have a chance to get some playing time as well.

Specialists

Since Friedgen arrived in College Park, Maryland’s special teams unit has usually been one of the ACC’s strongest. Placekicker Obi Egekeze made 75 percent of his kicks last season and made 13-of-14 in ACC play, the best mark in the league. Punter Travis Baltz averaged 43.1 yards per punt in ACC games, which ranked second in the league. It remains to be seen whether Scott will continue to return kicks because he is the No. 1 running back heading into camp. But he had a strong year last season, amassing 566 return yards, the most ever by a Maryland freshman.

Choose another preview: Select a Conference ACC Big East Big Ten Big 12 CUSA Independents MAC MWC Pac-Ten SunBelt WAC NCAA

Email this page to a friend | Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds