2002 Football Outlook, Part V - Maryland Terrapins
1/1/1970 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 6, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the fifth installment of an eight-part series that will look at each facet of the 2002 University of Maryland football team starts its first day of freshman workouts. With the first day of full-squad practice scheduled for Saturday, August 10, this series first looked at the offense and the quarterback position (July 30); the running backs (Aug. 1); wide receivers and tight ends (Aug. 2); the offensive line (Aug. 5); the defense and defensive line (today); the linebacking corps (Wednesday, August 7); the defensive backfield (Thursday, August 8); and the special teams (Friday, August 9).
PART V: DEFENSE & THE DEFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSE
The Terrapin defensive unit was outstanding with few exceptions a year ago. Coach Gary Blackney's unit used a high-pressure, blitzing style that stymied opponent's rushing attacks while forcing turnovers when they went to the air.
In 2001, the Terps had the best rushing (90.6 opp. ypg) and scoring (19.1 opp. ppg) defense in the ACC and ranked in the top seven nationally in interceptions (2nd; 24) and turnovers gained (T7th; 34). It was a defense that took pressure off of the Maryland offense early in the season while helping it win close games later in the year.
Maryland will return its most recognizable name to the defensive unit - senior E.J. Henderson - but his availability at the start of the season will be one of the keys to the team's success. Henderson underwent a surgical procedure on his back in early spring and his availability for the Notre Dame game will likely not be determined until game week nears.
The effects of his presence, however, can not be overlooked. A healthy Henderson gives less experienced players time to wait in the wings, younger players a shot at whatever position comes natural and helps the Terps line up with one of the premier players in the nation.
The defense is not short on talent, but it is not long in the tooth either, and several new faces will be in the mix as fall camp opens. The defensive line is strong but could use depth, the linebacking corps are talented with a mix of youth and experience, and the defensive backfield basically has three new faces in the starting lineup. All signs suggest that the Terrapins will again be strong and will likely get better with the passing of each game.
"We are going to be very young on defense this year," said Friedgen. "E.J.'s health will be important to us early and it will be interesting to see what some of the newcomers can do to contribute. I think we will again have a good defense - we just have some questions that will need to be answered along the way."
DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line was one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2001 season. The Terp defensive front was one that entered the year with questions surrounding talent and depth. What emerged was a group that both held up against the run and collapsed the pocket in passing situations and, ultimately, became the front line of one of the ACCs top defensive units.
This year, the defensive line has questions to be answered as well, but those questions again circle more around depth than anything else. The unit is comparable to its counterpart on the offensive side of the ball as it lost just one starter from a year ago. Unfortunately, like the offensive line, that lost starter (Charles Hill) happened to be the player who was most important to the unit's success a year ago. Hill was the team's second-leading tackler and a quiet leader on the Terrapin defense.
"Charles (Hill) played very, very well for us last year," said Friedgen. "He was the guy in the middle that kind of held everything together."
Spring ball gave Maryland the answers it was looking for at Hill's old position as C.J. Feldheim stepped up and showed he is fully capable of making the shift in lining up over the ball. The shift is Feldheim's third in as many years as a Terp (end as a freshman; defensive tackle last year), but if his transition a year ago is any indicator, this year's move will be smooth and his improvement will continue. Feldheim posted 36 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks a year ago and established himself as a player to watch in the next two years. Feldheim will be backed up by senior William Shim
