March 20, 2008

Ralph Friedgen has done a lot for Maryland football in his time as head coach. He's taken the Terps to five bowl games in his seven years, including a school-record three straight postseason contests, won nearly 70 percent of his games and been on the sidelines to see 20 of the top 25 crowds in the history of Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.

But one thing the Maryland graduate hasn't been able to do, and that's become satisfied with last year's performance. The 2007 campaign began with promise as the Terps returned a number of key contributors from a 9-4 team which dominated its bowl game.

The Terps won their first two games last season, and despite a home loss to No. 4 West Virginia and a heart-breaking conference-opening loss to Wake Forest, were in position to compete for an ACC title after wins over No. 10 Rutgers and Georgia Tech.

However, injuries began to mount midway through the season and the Terps could not fully recover. In all, 17 members of the two-deep missed at least one game, including three along the offensive line.

But despite all the injuries, which led to four league losses by a touchdown or less, Maryland still went on post a win over No. 8 Boston College and shut out NC State in the season finale to earn a berth in the Emerald Bowl, the second straight postseason appearance for the Terps.

This season, Friedgen is hoping some adjustments will benefit the team when it opens the 2008 campaign on Aug. 30 vs. Delaware. The Terps will hold their annual Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 26 (3:30 p.m.).

He surrendered his dual role of head coach and offensive coordinator, which he served the last two seasons.

He also hired three new coaches, including tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Danny Pearman, wide receivers coach Lee Hull and offensive coordinator/assistant head coach James Franklin, who was on staff during Friedgen's first four seasons in College Park. Franklin will also oversee the quarterbacks.

Though the Terps will now employ more of a west-coast based offense, much of what Franklin has learned offensively comes from Friedgen's influence. Franklin was also the offensive coordinator at Kansas State the last two years after spending one season with the Green Bay Packers.

"It's more terminology than anything else," Friedgen said of the adjustment with the offense. "James has a very good understanding of the west-coast offense and I think he's very excited and enthusiastic about the possibilities with the talent we have."

While the offensive philosophy will alter, there shouldn't be wholesale changes to a unit which returns 23 letterwinners, including nine starters.

The Terps will have four of their five starting offensive linemen back, as well as starting QB Chris Turner and all of the receiving corps, headlined by All-America choice Darrius Heyward-Bey.

"One of the reasons I was interested in James was the knowledge he had about what we did in the past," Friedgen said. "That's an important ingredient. We want to have a flexible offense so we can take advantage of the strengths of our players. I didn't want to try to put a square peg in a round hole. From what I've seen so far in our meetings this spring, I'm convinced we have that flexibility."

Regardless of the type of offense the Terps run, they'll need to do a better job of closing games.

"We have to finish better this season," Friedgen said. "That's a big area of concern. If we finish at Wake Forest, we win that game, the same with Virginia, North Carolina and Oregon State.

"This is one of the things we emphasized to our kids in winter workouts. When it got a little tough in the fourth or fifth station of conditioning drills, I told them to raise those four fingers because we're in the fourth quarter. Our kids responded real well this off-season, I saw a lot of enthusiasm. They didn't like how we finished last season either."

The defense will go through some changes as well, but those are more personnel based as third-year coordinator Chris Cosh will have to replace six starters, including first-team All-ACC performers Dre Moore and Erin Henderson, and three members of the secondary.

DE Jeremy Navarre and LEO Trey Covington are two of the most experienced players on the team, having each started more than 30 career games. Navarre is expected to move inside along the line.

Despite the loss of Henderson, one of the most productive linebackers in the nation the last two seasons, the linebacker unit should be the deepest group on the defense with a number of players who have seen significant action, including Dave Philistin and Moise Fokou. Philistin was fourth in the ACC in tackles last season, and Fokou was third on the team in stops.

During the spring, health will be the biggest concern for the defense as four members of the prospective two-deep will be out to continue rehabbing from off-season surgery. Mack Frost, who is expected to start at defensive end, as well as Philistin, Fokou and fellow linebacker Rick Costa will all miss spring ball.

Friedgen has some experience on defense as 20 letterwinners return from last season's squad. There weren't quite as many injures on defense as there were on offense last year, but there were a number of players, including Adrian Moten, a 2007 Freshman All-America choice, who saw extended time in a reserve role due to guys being banged up.

The Terps finished 24th in the country in scoring defense and 40th in total defense last season, but there are areas to improve upon.

"We need to do a better job against the run," Friedgen said. "We got hurt a lot on the zone option last season. We want to try and become more flexible on the defensive side of the ball and keep finding ways to play to the strength of our players."

While most of the regulars are back on special teams, they'll have a new coach in Pearman, whose pedigree includes an eight-year stint on Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech staff. Beamer is well known nationally for his special teams success.

"Special teams-wise we have a new coach," Friedgen said. "It's kind of like starting all over there because Ray (Rychleski) was there for so long."

Senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore punter Travis Baltz formed a good tandem last season as first-year starters and should only improve this fall.

All the staff changes have let Friedgen become more involved off the field.

"This has allowed me to get more involved with the players and to make sure I'm spending as much time as possible motivating them," Friedgen said. "I didn't have as much time for that the last two years.

"My major undertaking is to try and coordinate all this. I can see some of the things we are doing on offense, defense and special teams. We need to make it all cohesive. I'm pretty excited right now and looking forward to the spring to see how we put it all together on the field."

Offense

Quarterback

Entering last spring, the Terps had limited experience at quarterback, as no one on the roster had started a collegiate game.

The situation has changed considerably with both Chris Turner and Jordan Steffy serving as the starter last season.

Turner enters the spring as the No. 1 quarterback after posting nearly 2,000 passing yards and the third-best passing efficiency rating in the ACC in 2007.

The junior replaced an injured Steffy in the Rutgers game, led the team to a victory over the 10th-ranked team in the country and went on to start the final eight games of the season.

Quarterback is no different than any other position as players continually battle to keep starting jobs. Turner is likely to have a fight on his hands to remain the starter.

"Chris ended last year as the starter and has a leg up on the competition," Franklin said.

Steffy, No. 2 on the depth chart entering the spring, started the first five games last season and was sixth in the league in passing efficiency when he went down with a concussion against the Scarlet Knights.

"Jordan's as healthy as he's been," Friedgen said of the fifth-year player. "All the quarterbacks have been working hard in the off-season. Josh (Portis) has been doing a good job as well and Chris has a confidence about him."

Each of the quarterbacks brings a different element to the field.

"Jordan is mobile, while Chris is more of a pocket passer, but he'll scramble and make 10 yards." Friedgen said.

Junior Josh Portis is expected to find himself in the quarterback mix after missing the last two seasons. He transferred from Florida in 2005 and sat out 2006 due to NCAA transfer rules. Portis was ruled ineligible prior to the last year's opener and missed the whole season, though he did practice with the team.

"Josh is hungry right now after being off for two years," said Franklin. "He's got freakish physical skills but needs to continue his development as a quarterback."

"I'm pleased with all three guys," Franklin said. "Chris is working very hard. He's getting bigger and stronger and moving well. He played well last year and we hope he continues to improve."

Jamarr Robinson is the only other quarterback on the roster. The redshirt freshman is No. 4 on the depth chart. He served as either the No. 2 or 3 quarterback last season.

"I've been pleasantly surprised with him," Franklin said. "He's done well in the off-season."

Running Back

When you lose two running backs who ended their careers among the all-time leading rushers in school history, chances are they'll be some questions at tailback the following season.

There's not necessarily a lack of talent, just experience and depth.

Sophomores Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green, who battled for the No. 3 tailback spot last season, are No. 1 and 2, respectively, on the depth chart this spring.

Returning players account for just 15 percent of last season's rushing yards total. Scott and Green combined to carry the ball just 17 times. Scott did show some explosiveness in a limited role last season. He averaged 18.5 yards each time he touched the ball.

Lance Ball, who finished his career No. 4 on the Maryland career rushing list, and Keon Lattimore, who was 14th on that chart, carried the bulk of the load the last three years.

The Terps will have a different look this season.

"Da'Rel is a talented back," Franklin said. "He's got the ability to take it the distance. We just need to keep Da'Rel and Morgan healthy. I think we have more speed back there, but a lot less experience."

Sophomores Dan Bonato and Pha'Terrell Washington will vie for time behind Scott and Green. Bonato, who is No. 3 on the depth chart, has not played in a game, but showed an ability to make people miss during last season's scrimmages.

Washington is converted defensive back, who showed promise last season.

The Terps are in good shape at fullback where junior Cory Jackson has started since the end of his true freshman season. Jackson, one of the toughest players on the team, doesn't carry the ball nor catch it much, but is one of the best blockers in the conference and helped open holes for Ball and Lattimore the last two years.

Sophomore FB Haroon Brown filled in nicely last season as a true freshman. Jackson missed a game with a broken hand and Brown came in and distinguished himself well.

Redshirt freshman Taylor Watson will also push for time at fullback, along with senior Steve Pfister.

Wide Receiver

Maryland has a chance to have one of the most potent wide receiving corps in the nation.

Junior All-America Darrius Heyward-Bey has been the leader of this group for the last two seasons. He's already pushing his way onto most of the top 10 lists in the Maryland record book, despite only two seasons in uniform.

Heyward-Bey, who has blazing speed, has almost 100 catches over the last two seasons.

He'll be joined by a slew of talented players, led by seniors Isaiah Williams and Danny Oquendo, as well as a new position coach, Lee Hull, who joined the staff in March.

"We have a real fast group with five guys running under a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash)," Friedgen said. "We need to get them to translate that to the field consistently."

Williams has tremendous physical skills, while Oquendo is the steady third-down receiver. Williams has posted nearly 800 receiving yards the last two seasons and shown the ability to stretch the field.

Oquendo has been the team's slot receiver the last two seasons, and he was missed last season after going down with a knee injury prior to the Boston College game.

LaQuan Williams had a breakout redshirt freshman season before being shelved with a knee injury late in the year. He highlighted his skills in the upset win over No. 10 Rutgers last season, making a remarkable diving catch on third-and-12 to set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. He ended up fourth on the team in receiving yards last season.

The Terps would appear to have solid top four at wideout, with some unproven players behind that group.

"We have a really deep and talented group," Franklin said. "They all have different strengths and we want to try and put people in the right spot."

Redshirt freshman Torrey Smith and sophomore Stephen Smalls open the spring behind Isaiah Williams and LaQuan Williams at the X receiver spot, while sophomore Emani-Lee Odai and redshirt freshman Quinton McCree serve as Heyward-Bey's backup at Z receiver.

Lee-Odai, one of the fastest players on the team, saw increased action during the second half of last season.

Smith and McCree sat out last season as redshirts, but were impressive during practice with McCree making the travel squad. Smalls also did not see game action.

Adrian Cannon, who enters the spring No. 2 on the depth chart at slot receiver, also saw time as a reserve last season, playing in seven games.

Other players who will vie for time at wideout include junior Kevin Gresham, and freshmen Kevin Dorsey, Tony Logan and Ronnie Tyler.

Gresham and Dorsey are listed as reserves at Z receiver, while Logan and Tyler are backups at slot receiver.

Gresham has shown good pass-catching ability the last two years, while Logan and Tyler were both impressive on last year's scout team. Logan and Tyler are a little under-sized but have excellent physical tools.

Dorsey is a highly-touted local recruit who enrolled in classes in January. He may miss some time this spring with a foot injury.

Offensive Line / Tight End

One year after this unit was decimated with injuries and forced to play some unproved players, the offensive line has a chance to be the strength of the team.

The Terps did lose an All-American in Andrew Crummey, who is off to the NFL, but four players with 66 career starts are back, as are four others who saw significant action last season.

"We've got quite a few guys who have played and done something," Franklin said. "Guys we've won with. If we could just develop some more depth, not just for this year but for the future, that would help"

There are five seniors - LT Scott Burley, LG Jaimie Thomas, C Edwin Williams, RG Jack Griffin and RT Dane Randolph - among the top six linemen so getting some of the younger guys ready will be critical.

Williams has the most experience among this group with 26 career starts, tops among offensive players.

However, Randolph has started 17 games at right tackle and stepped in to play some snaps at left tackle last season when Burley was saddled with nagging ankle injuries.

Burley distinguished himself well in his first season as a starter. He managed to start 12 games in 2007 despite being hampered by sprains to both ankles at various points in the season. He ended up earning all-conference honors for his play.

Thomas started just seven games at left guard, missing the second half of the season with a fractured right fibula. He was able to return and play in the Emerald Bowl.

The starting spots on the offensive line are pretty well sewn up entering the spring. The only question is whether Griffin or junior Phil Costa gets the nod at right guard.

Both played extensively last season and are versatile. Costa started one game at right guard for an injured Crummey and started the last six games for Thomas at left guard.

Griffin split time at right tackle with Randolph in the early portion of 2007 before taking over at right guard for Crummey after his injury.

In addition to the veterans, sophomores Bruce Campbell and Paul Pinegar played quite a bit last season. Despite being a true freshman, Campbell started one game for Burley at left tackle. Pinegar also saw time at left tackle and left guard last season.

The Terps have a number of linemen who redshirted last season including Stephen St. John, Joe Faiella, Lamar Young, Tyler Bowen and Bearthur Johnson.

All have skills, but those need to be developed.

"Bruce Campbell's development will be important this spring as will Lamar Young's and Bearthur Johnson's," Franklin said. "If we could come away with 10 guys we think we can work with in the fall after spring practice, I think we'll be in good shape."

Other veterans who are expected the push for time include Lee Oliver, Danny Edwards, Evan Eastburn, and Kyle Sappington.

Tight end should be in good hands with Dan Gronkowski back. He has started 17 career games, including eight last season. Gronkowski has been used mostly as a blocker, but he has good hands and can run well after the catch.

Junior Tommy Galt will be asked to fill a more substantial role this year. He was used as the third tight end in running formations last season.

Sophomore Drew Gloster served as a backup at H-back last season and will assume the No. 1 spot in the spring. "For Tommy and Drew it's their time," Franklin said. "They need to find a role."

Others expected to vie for time at those positions include Lansford Watson, Devonte Campbell and Matt Furstenberg. Watson redshirted last season, while Campbell and Furstenberg are true freshmen who entered school in January.

Defense

Defensive Line

The Terps have some holes to fill along the defensive line with Dre Moore and Carlos Feliciano, a duo which started 46 career games, having graduated and in the process of pursuing pro careers.

"We're a little untested up front," Cosh said. "This is a group where someone will have to emerge, especially inside."

Senior defensive end Jeremy Navarre is the most experienced returnee, having started a team-high 35 career games. He is the Terps' active career leader in tackles for loss (18.0) and sacks (9.0).

Navarre will slide inside to tackle this spring, a post he manned quite a bit last season. Quite often last year Mack Frost entered the game at defensive end with Navarre bumping inside to tackle, especially on pass-rushing downs.

Junior Travis Ivey, a good-sized run-stuffer, is atop the depth chart at nose tackle. He's a veteran guy who played mostly in goal-line situations last season, though spelled Feliciano and Moore at times.

Frost is expected to step into Navarre's role at end, but he will miss the spring while recovering from off-season knee surgery.

Junior Jared Harrell and sophomore Brian Whitmore are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on the depth chart at end entering the spring. Neither has seen much time, but both are strong, athletic players who could contribute come the fall.

There's also a group of veterans who hope to make an impact at one of the tackle spots.

Seniors Dean Muhtadi and Olugbemi Otulaja, along with junior Deege Galt, look to provide some depth on the interior of the line. Muhtadi and Otulaja saw limited time last season, but were effective when they were on the field.

Some of the youngsters will get a chance to see time. Dion Armstrong and Ian Davidson both redshirted in 2007, their first season in College Park and were highly recruited coming out of high school.

Carl Russell is a true freshman who signed in 2007, but did not matriculate until this semester. He's penciled in as a backup at defensive end.

Senior Trey Covington is manning the LEO position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker spot, for the fourth-consecutive year. Covington provides a veteran presence and a pass rusher off the edge. He played very well in last year's Emerald Bowl, posting nine tackles, including a career-high two sacks.

Covington will be backed up by redshirt freshman Derek Drummond and junior Jeff Clement, who has been mostly a special teams contributor in his career, but played some at LEO last season.

"Drummond is a big, long guy," Cosh said. "We're hoping he can help us at this spot."

Linebacker

Despite losing one of the most productive linebackers in school history, this position may turn out to be the defense's deepest.

Erin Henderson led the team in tackles the last two seasons from his Will linebacker spot. He was a two-time All-ACC choice and earned All-America honors in 2007, following in the footsteps of his brother, E.J.

But seniors Dave Philistin and Moise Fokou were two of the top linebackers in the ACC last season when they started all 13 games. In addition, Adrian Moten was one of the top freshman defenders in the league a year ago.

Philistin ranked fourth in the ACC in tackles (9.5 pg) as the Mike linebacker and Fokou was 20th (6.4 pg) from his Sam LB position. Moten, who played all three linebacker positions, tied for the team lead in sacks (5.5) and tallied 50 tackles despite not starting a game.

However, off-season surgery to Philistin, Fokou, and Rick Costa will keep them out of spring practice. With that trio shelved, some others will get a longer look.

Moten opens the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at Sam linebacker. He'll be backed up by Dominique Herald and Femi Akinwande, both of whom were moved from safety to linebacker this spring.

"Dominique is a little undersized, but we're trying to get some more speed on the field," Cosh said.

Sophomore Alex Wujciak enters the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at Mike linebacker. Last summer Wujciak looked like a player who was going to be an integral part of the defense. But a knee injury near the end of preseason camp derailed his year before it even got started.

"Alex is a guy who can affect tempo and effort," Cosh said. "He likes to play the game and that's infectious."

Redshirt freshman Ben Pooler, who nearly played last season, opens the spring as Wujciak's backup. Senior Alex Schulz will provide some depth in the middle.

After an injury-plagued season, senior Chase Bullock opens the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at Will linebacker. Bullock was near the top of the depth chart at Mike LB entering last season, but hurt both his ankles early in the year and played sparingly the rest of the way.

Sophomore Chris Clinton and freshman Demetrious Hartsfield are the backups to Bullock at Will. Clinton has seen limited time, but he has the size and athleticism to provide a spark. Hartsfield, meanwhile, is a speedy true freshman who entered school this semester.

"We think our linebackers will give us some toughness on defense," Cosh said. "We also need to find some leaders on defense and hopefully there are a few guys from this group we can look to."

Secondary

The Terps have a few holes in the secondary this season where second-year coach Kevin Lempa will have to replace three starters.

Senior cornerback Kevin Barnes, who had a team-high four interceptions and ranked tied for fifth in the ACC in passes defended, is lone returning starter.

Juniors Anthony Wiseman and Nolan Carroll will battle it out for the starting spot opposite Barnes.

Wiseman was the third corner for most of last season, though Carroll saw extended time later in the year at cornerback. Both have good speed and athleticism.

Senior Richard Taylor is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Barnes. Taylor was in the mix for a starting spot last season before injuring his knee in the spring and never getting on the field in the fall.

Others who will vie for time at corner include Brandon Jackson-Mills, Michael Carter and Trenton Hughes.

Cosh singled out Carter as someone who was impressive in winter workouts.

There will be two new starting safeties with J.J. Justice and Christian Varner completing their eligibility.

Senior Jeff Allen in penciled in this spring as the No. 1 strong safety and junior Terrell Skinner is No. 1 at free safety.

Allen and Skinner saw time in the defensive backfield last season, but have seen most of their action on special teams.

Allen is sure tackler, while Skinner is a big, athletic former wide receiver.

"Skinner got better and better last season," Cosh said. "We're looking for a big spring from him."

Sophomore Antwine Perez sat out last season after transferring from USC, but the Terps hope he can find his way into the mix. He enters the spring No. 2 on the depth chart at free safety.

"Perez showed he was physical on the scout team last season and demonstrated a willingness to hit," Cosh said.

Junior Jamari McCollough, a special teams player last season, enters the spring as Allen's backup.

Seniors Drew Robinson and Jared Baum will provide depth at each of the safety spots.

Special Teams

One season after overhauling the special teams unit, the Terps enter this spring with almost a full complement of starters. However, they will have a new field general as Danny Pearman is the new special teams coordinator, taking over for Ray Rychleski, who had guided the unit the last seven years.

Pearman will certainly place his stamp on a special teams unit which has been among the best in the ACC since Friedgen's arrival in 2001, but the cupboard is not bare.

Senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore Travis Baltz form one of the top kicking tandems in the ACC, while senior Danny Oquendo is in his third season as the punt returner and Da'Rel Scott is back as the kick returner.

"We feel good about where we are on special teams, but we could still have some competition at some spots," Friedgen said. "We'll have to see how it all plays out."

Egekeze had a solid junior season, his first as the starting place-kicker. He made nearly 75 percent of his kicks and was almost perfect in ACC play, nailing 13 of his 14 attempts, the best mark in the league.

Baltz, a freshman All-America choice, distinguished himself well last season, averaging 40.9 yards per punt which was seventh in the ACC. He also performed better in league play, averaging 43.1 yards per punt, the second-best mark in the ACC.

Oquendo has been a solid and steady contributor as the punt returner. He'll most likely slide back into that spot in the fall, though Anthony Wiseman saw time there last season after Oquendo missed the last four games with a knee injury.

Scott, a 2007 freshman All-ACC pick, showed play-making ability returning kicks last season. He nearly broke a couple for scores and had a 60-yarder vs. Florida State. His 566 return yards were the most ever for a Maryland freshman. He is No. 1 on the depth chart at tailback, so whether Scott remains the kick returner remains to be seen.

The Terps will have to replace holder Matt Goldberg and short-snapper (FGs/PATs) Brendan McDermond, both of whom graduated.

Senior Andrew Schmitt returns as the team's long-snapper (punts). Schmitt has snapped the last three seasons and Baltz is just the team's third punter in the last nine years. The Terps have put together quite an impressive run in terms of blocks, or lack thereof.

Maryland has not had a punt blocked in the last 98 games (third game of the 1999 season), the longest streak in the nation.