July 21, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the sixth in a nine-part series previewing the 2005 University of Maryland football team. The Terrapins are less than three weeks from the start of fall practice (Aug. 8) in anticipation of the season opener against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 3rd.

Today's portion of the outlook takes a look at the Terps' defensive overall then specifically at the defensive line, an area of interest as fall camp opens. Check back every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of July (and the first week of August) for a breakdown on each component of this year's team (a complete list of when each position's outlook will be posted on UMTerps.com can be found at the bottom of this page).

DEFENSE
Each year, Maryland's defense shuttles players in and out of Gary Blackney's system. Four years running, the success of the unit has not had a hiccup - it has been one of the best in the nation. With one of his youngest groups taking the field this year, the hope is that the success will remain a constant once again.

Last season, the Terps' defense had very few moments where it could not stake claim to being one of the better units in the league, if not the country. The Terrapins replaced three of four starters in the defensive backfield (all three of whom ended up in NFL camps) and a player in Randy Starks on the defensive line who ended up being one of the best defensive rookies in the National Football League last year. The result - a unit that ranked eighth nationally against the pass, 21st in average yards allowed and 27th in scoring defense.

The team returns all three starters at linebacker, a unit ranked best in the ACC by Athlon. The defensive backs again replace three starters, but the athleticism of the group as a whole is improved. Finally, the defensive line loses Shawne Merriman and former All-ACC performer Kevin Eli, but has young talent that could, again, improve the overall athleticism. As was the theme last year, the play and leadership of the team's veterans will prove vital.

"I have been encouraged by what I have seen out of the defense thus far, even though they are young," said Friedgen. "We have some players who could make a difference for us on the defensive line if they can come along and we are all pretty happy with how things have gone at defensive back. At linebacker, our depth is better and we return all our starters, so we'll see what happens. We don't lose much to graduation after this year, so it is safe to say their best days are ahead of them."

Defensive Line
The Maryland defensive front is young and will be looking for a few newcomers to step up in 2005. Though young, its depth will be improved and if one or more of the first- or second-year players is able to step into significant playing time, this group will - like the offensive line - be one to watch in coming years. The defensive line is without a single senior this year.

At the rush end spot, sophomore Jack Griffin left spring as the starter. He is a versatile player whose strength is his motor and ability to stop the run. Sophomore Omarr Savage, a long, lean, player with very long arms, will work to try to regain his spot atop the depth chart while redshirt freshman Mack Frost will also try to earn playing time. In addition, a pair of newcomers - Dwight Galt and Jared Harrell - will be battling for early playing time.

On the opposite side, sophomore Jermaine Lemons and redshirt freshman Trey Covington will likely share time. Both have improved against the run while holding the point of attack is probably more Lemons' strength, while Covington's is getting after the passer and making plays in the backfield. Behind them will be another pair of true freshmen in Jeff Clement and Barrod Heggs.

"Jermaine and Trey have improved so much against the run," said Friedgen. "Are they Shawne Merriman at this point? No, they aren't. But are they solid and improved and do we expect them to get better? Yes. On the other side, we will have some real good competition leading into the season with Griffin and Savage. Griffin's ability to move inside will help us there but just like everywhere else, we want the best guys on the field and will see who prevails."

On the inside, junior Conrad Bolston returns at defensive tackle after starting in all but one game last year. Bolston had a tremendous spring, has proven to be a hard worker and shows the ability to collapse the pocket both as a pass rusher and run stopper. His strength is the leverage with which he plays. Griffin will serve as the primary backup along with Dennis Marsh while freshman Travis Ivey has filled out quickly and looks as if he may be a factor as well.

Junior Rob Armstrong overcame an injured back in the offseason and performed well enough to regain his starting job. His strength is holding the point. Sophomore Dre Moore missed most of spring but is a playmaker and will challenge to regain the spot atop the depth chart. At 6-4, 298 pounds, Moore is the fourth-strongest player on the team pound-for-pound and runs a 40 time in the neighborhood of 4.8. Fellow sophomore Carlos Feliciano will work behind the duo, giving the Terps another player who plays with good pad position and leverage.

"Overall on the defensive line, we are going to be young this year," said Friedgen. "I don't think Coach (Dave) Sollazzo loses a single guy for next year. We are going to have more depth than we have had in the past, but a lot of it is going to have to come from some of these young guys if we are to be as good as we want to be."

Outlook Schedule on UMterps.com:
Offense/Quarterbacks        Posted July 7
Tailbacks/Fullbacks         Posted July 12
Wide Receivers              Posted July 14
Tight Ends                  Posted July 19
Offensive Line              Posted July 21
Defense/Defensive Line      Today
Linebackers                 Thursday, July 28
Defensive Backs             Tuesday, August 2
Specialists                 Thursday, August 4

Other important dates:
Start of Camp/Media Day     Monday, August 8
Fan Day                     Sunday, August 21
Season Opener vs. Navy      Saturday, September 3
Home Opener vs. Clemson     Saturday, September 10

For season ticket information, please call the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or (800) IM A-TERP (8377).