2008 Football Season Outlook - Part IV
8/3/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the final installment in a four-part series previewing the 2008 University of Maryland football team.
The Terrapins open fall practice on Monday in preparation for their season opener on Saturday, Aug. 30 (3:45 p.m.) against Delaware at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
Today's portion of the outlook previews the secondary and special teams.
Outlook Schedule on umterps.com: Overall Overview/Quarterbacks/Running Backs Thursday, July 31 Wide Receivers/Offensive Line/Tight Ends Friday, Aug. 1 Defensive Line/Linebackers Saturday, Aug. 2 Secondary/Specialists Sunday, Aug. 3
Secondary
The Terps spent the spring looking at options in the secondary where they 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 the lone returning starter with the departure of CB Isaiah Gardner, FS J.J. Justice and SS Christian Varner.
Barnes and juniors Anthony Wiseman and Nolan Carroll battled it out in the spring for the starting roles and that should continue into the fall.
"Nolan established himself this spring and Wiseman is battling Barnes for a starting spot," Friedgen said.
All three will see significant time.
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 Carroll. 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. He is healthy for the first time in over a year.
Others who will vie for time at corner include Michael Carter, Trenton Hughes and Brandon Jackson-Mills.
Carter has had a solid off-season and is expected to increase the competition level at cornerback. Hughes and Jackson-Mills are young, athletic players who will add depth at corner and on special teams.
The safety spots will have two new starters.
Senior Jeff Allen is penciled in as the No. 1 strong safety and junior Terrell Skinner appears to be in a battle with sophomore Antwine Perez for the starting free safety slot.
Allen and Skinner saw time in the defensive backfield last season, but most of their action has come on special teams.
Allen is a sure tackler, while Skinner is a big, athletic former wide receiver.
"Skinner got better and better last season," Cosh said.
Perez sat out last season after transferring from USC, but the Terps hope he can find his way into the mix.
"Perez showed he was physical on the scout team last season and demonstrated a willingness to hit," Cosh said.
Senior Drew Robinson and junior Jamari McCollough, both of whom saw time on special teams last season, enter the fall as Allen's backup.
Redshirt freshman Austin Walker, who was impressive on the scout team last season, adds depth at safety.
Special Teams
The specialists return nearly a full complement, although there will still be competition at spots.
The unit has a new field general as Danny Pearman is the new special teams coordinator, taking over for Ray Rychleski, who had guided the group 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,
"Danny comes into a good situation, but I like what I saw from that unit in the spring," Friedgen said. "He's a very hard worker and has the right temperament for the position. I think the kids have really taken to him."
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 to return kicks.
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.
"Obi had a really solid spring, but just struggled some in the spring game," Friedgen said.
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.
Baltz held off a charge from Ted Townsley in the spring. The sophomore transfer kicked well in a couple of spring scrimmages, but Baltz was sharp throughout the five weeks of practice.
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.
Redshirt freshmen Ronnie Tyler and Torrey Smith are also candidates to see time at punt returns.
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 expected to see extensive time at tailback, so whether Scott remains the returner is up in the air.
Wiseman, Trenton Hughes and Richard Taylor are also candidates for the kickoff return job.
The Terps will have to replace holder Matt Goldberg and short-snapper (FGs/PATs) Brendan McDermond, both of whom graduated.
Baltz served as the holder in the spring and looks like he will have the job in the fall.
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.
Schmitt will also handle the snaps for the FG/PAT team.
The Terps have not had a punt blocked since the 1999 season.
Redshirt freshman Tim Downs will serve as Schmitt's backup.
Senior David May, who never played high school football, enters the fall with a shot at kickoff duties. He's also a reserve place-kicker.
Brett Weiss and Nick Wallace will join May in a battle for the backup place-kicker spot in the fall. Weiss is also a member of the Maryland lacrosse team.
