Maryland Linebackers Are A Proven Quantity
9/5/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2000
Five days before Maryland opens its season, there is little question where the strength of the defense lies. Last season's starting linebackers--Marlon Moore, Aaron Thompson and Kevin Bishop--return, and redshirt sophomore E.J. Henderson has played his way into the mix with an impressive preseason. While Bishop has fought through a pair of injuries, Henderson has been so good that it seems he might start Saturday against Temple.
As the Terrapins hope some inexperienced players can fill positions on the defensive line and secondary, the linebackers are proven playmakers. Maryland Coach Ron Vanderlinden repeatedly has said he thinks the unit is the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference and among the best in the nation.
"I think Marlon and Thompson both have terrific speed and all three are very tough," Vanderlinden said. "And E.J. Henderson just is very instinctual. He surprises me almost daily with the plays he makes."
Though no one player particularly stands out, Thompson might be the leader of the bunch. A redshirt junior from Baltimore, he has started every game at outside linebacker in each of the past two seasons and had 111 tackles--17 for losses--last season.
Moore, a junior from Potomac (Md.) High, led the team in tackles last season with 130 from his inside position. Bishop, a transfer from South Florida, was talented enough to overcome missing five days of preseason practices last year and earn the other starting inside position. He had 84 tackles before hurting his knee in the ninth game of the season.
Bishop has been slowed this preseason while recovering from surgery to repair his knee and by a pelvic disorder that has been difficult to treat. While he was out, Henderson took advantage of his chance to work with the first unit and appears to have played his way into a starting role. Bishop returned to practice late last week, but Vanderlinden seems inclined to keep Henderson in the lineup and has hinted he might make other changes.
"I like [Henderson] because he gets to the ball and he consistently makes plays," Vanderlinden said. ". . . He's not always smooth, but he's like an old-time linebacker and gets the job done."
On the surface, the four players appear similar. All are either 6 feet 1 or 6-2 and range in weight from 221 pounds (Moore) to 233 (Thompson). Thompson said that Moore is the athlete of the bunch--"he could probably play safety"--while Henderson and Bishop get to the ball. As any linebacker doing a self-analysis might say, Thompson said he considers himself "the hitter."
"Those boys fly around and they make plays," said tackle Kris Jenkins, the only returning starter on the defensive line. "I'm very excited about them. Every time there is a play, they make sure they're around the ball."
In addition to the veteran starters, the Terrapins have some depth. Redshirt junior Reggie Lewis, a backup inside linebacker, will not play Saturday because of a pulled hamstring suffered in a scrimmage on Friday. But coaches are encouraged by the play of redshirt freshman Leon Joe (Friendly High) and junior Monte Graves.
And if there was a need for more enthusiasm, first-year linebackers coach Mike Mallory provides it. A former all-American at Michigan, Mallory is the most energetic coach on the staff, constantly running to give instructions during practice. Mallory also knows what to look for in a linebacker.
"The first thing you want is leadership qualities--first by example and by being productive, so then when you say things, people listen," said Mallory, whose younger brother, Doug, is the Terrapins' secondary coach. "We still need to go as far as setting tempo, but we've gotten better. Then you want consistency with assignments. Those are the big things."
Terrapins Notes: After yesterday morning's practice, Vanderlinden said he has chosen a starting quarterback but declined to reveal whether it will be incumbent Calvin McCall or junior college transfer Shaun Hill. However, all indications are that McCall will start on Saturday. Vanderlinden said he expects both to play.
"I've already got the whole thing worked out, but I'm not going to say anything," Vanderlinden said, adding that he "had an idea all along" how the situation would play out.
McCall has impressed the coaching staff with his improved passing and footwork. He and Hill have split practice repetitions, but it seems likely that McCall has played well enough to keep the starting role for now. . . .
Redshirt freshman Lamar Bryant (Crossland) and redshirt sophomore Bob Krantz (Centreville) are battling for the starting right guard position. . . . Wide receiver Jason Hatala (back) will not play on Saturday.
This story appeared on Sept. 5 in the Washington Post
