2006 Football Outlook, Part IV
7/25/2006 8:00:00 AM | Football
July 12, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The fourth in a seven-part series previewing the 2006 University of Maryland football team, today's outlook segment focuses on the Terps' offensive line. The Terrapins open fall practice on August 7th in preparation for their season opener against William & Mary at Byrd Stadium on September 2nd.
Check back every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to the Terrapins' August 7th Media Day for a breakdown on each component of this year's team (a complete list of when each position's synopsis will be posted on UMTerps.com can be found at the bottom of this page).
Offensive Line
Strength or weakness at any other unit can always make a difference in an offense's performance, but no other unit can help compensate for shortcomings or accentuate strengths like an offensive line. Heading into this season, the Maryland offensive line looks to be the best and deepest of any in the Friedgen Era, and could be that difference-making type of group.
This year's offensive line returns three starters from 2005, its top lineman from 2004 (who missed '05 due to an injury) and starting-caliber depth at both tackle and guard. The lone concern as the season approaches is an inexperienced center position.
Maryland entered spring camp with sophomore Edwin Williams, the frontrunner for the starting job with the goal of improving his comfort at the pivot as much as his overall play. Less than a week into practice, he went down with a finger injury that required surgery and kept him out the remainder of spring. Williams has good size, quickness, strength and intelligence, but in work as a reserve a year ago, nerves got the better of him at times. He will be ready for fall camp but will see competition from redshirt freshman Phil Costa for the job as Costa took all of the reps with the first team in spring and continued to impress while getting noticeably bigger and stronger than he was as a true freshman. Newcomer Evan Eastburn will provide depth and hopefully get up to speed quickly.
Junior Andrew Crummey leads the pack of guards from his post on the right side. Once noticeably thin by lineman standards, the heady junior now looks that part at 301 pounds and could be poised for a breakout season. Garrick Clig and Lee Oliver will line up behind him. One of the team's strongest linemen, Clig got work as a backup center with the numbers low in the offseason, joining Crummey as possibilities to fill in if needed.
On the left side, it will be a battle for the starting job between incumbent Donnie Woods and sophomore Jaimie Thomas. Woods, who started all of last year despite an injured shoulder, missed spring as the injury healed while Thomas made ground. Woods plays smart and with passion and will be tough to unseat, while Thomas has been moving closer to the play anticipated of him when he first arrived, showing size and athleticism. Junior Jack Griffin will likely redshirt while working to make the transition from the defensive side of the ball.
If the Terps don't lay claim to the league's best line, it will be hard to debate against their tackles. The team's top lineman from 2004 (and an anticipated honors candidate a year ago), Stephon Heyer returns after injuring his knee in camp a year ago. Heyer successfully made his way through spring and gives Maryland an experienced pass blocker with impeccable credentials on Hollenbach's blind side. Unlike in season's past, however, Heyer will not be a shoe-in for the job as junior Scott Burley is healthy and, at a stout 6-5, 326 pounds, is playing his best ball.
On the right side, a potential star was born in 2005. With Heyer out, then-true frosh Jared Gaither stepped in after game three at left tackle and did not relinquish the spot - or give up a sack - the entire season. At 6-9 and 350 pounds, Gaither is a load who can run and pass block and proved in last year's NC State game that he can handle the duties on the right side. Midway through that contest, Gaither shifted to the right side of the line after struggling with overall No. 1 pick Mario Williams, and the freshman shut the star defensive end down.
Gaither's chief competition will come from Dane Randolph, another Terp bookend on the rise. Randolph saw significant action last year and has impoved seemingly with every snap since moving from defensive tackle his freshman year. He continues to get bigger and stronger, yet has maintained his good feet, giving the team yet another competitive player at the tackle position.
"I think our offensive line should be solid at its worst," said Friedgen. "We have more depth than we have had than in the past. If we can stay healthy, we have a chance to be pretty darned good."
Outlook Schedule on UMterps.com: Offense/Quarterbacks Posted July 13 Tailbacks/Fullbacks Posted July 18 Wide Receivers/Tight Ends Posted July 20 Offensive Line Today Defense/Defensive Line Thursday, July 27 Linebackers Tuesday, August 1 Secondary/Specialists Thursday, August 3Other important dates: Start of Camp/Media Day Monday, August 7 Season Opener Saturday, September 2 ACC Opener (at Ga. Tech) Saturday, October 7
For season ticket information, please call the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or (800) IMA-TERP (8377).
