April 14, 2008
James Franklin is in his sixth season as an assistant coach at Maryland, but in his first year as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator.
Franklin, who also coaches the quarterbacks, was on Ralph Friedgen's original staff, but spent the 2005 season with the Green Bay Packers and the 2006-07 campaigns as the offensive coordinator at Kansas State.
Franklin sat down with umterps.com on Friday to access the offense's progress during spring practice.
You have coached at both the collegiate and professional ranks, how would categorize the type of offensive you like to run and who has been influential in your career?
"I think the biggest thing that I've tried to do is just steal and learn as much as I could from all the different people I've been around. Guys that have influenced me are obviously Ralph Freidgen from when I was at Maryland a few years ago, my former head coach at East Stroudsburg Denny Douds, Mike Sherman when I was with the Green Bay Packers, Andy Reid, who is now with Philadelphia Eagles, and Ron Prince, the head coach at Kansas State. All of those guys have had a big influence in my career."
How do you feel the players have adapted to the new offense thus far in spring practice?
"I think the biggest thing we are trying to emphasize this year with the guys is that we can't let ourselves have the excuse that, `this is the first year running this offense, we'll be better next year.' We have 15 days of spring ball and every day is like gold, so we can't let one of them go by. Right now, things are going well and I see the guys progressing and getting better every day, I'm very pleased with the offensive line and how they are playing right now. The quarterbacks, who have as much to learn as anyone, are coming along and taking strides in the right direction."
What were some of your offensive goals coming into the spring?
"I think the biggest thing that we talked about as a staff is that we wanted to develop confidence in the individual and confidence in the scheme. I want each and every one of these players to feel like they are the best player in the country at their position. I want them to feel like this offense is the best in the country. We need to be able to put them in position to make plays so we can become an explosive offense."
There were some injuries to the wide receiving corps (LaQuan Williams [foot] and Isaiah Williams [hand]) during the first half of spring practice. How has that affected the rotation? Who are the receivers that have stood out so far?
"I think we are fortunate to have the depth we do at wide receiver. So I really am looking at these injuries as a blessing in disguise because we have some young guys that need the reps to get better and they are getting them. So in the long run we hope this situation will be helpful. Ronnie Tyler is a guy that is really standing out right now and has done some really good things. Torrey Smith has done some really nice things. I'm very pleased with him. There are some guys who are really coming along for us right now and were excited about that."
The running back position lost two of the most productive players in school history in Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore. Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green entered the spring No. 1 and 2, respectively, at tailback on the depth chart. How have they progressed to this point in spring practice and what improvements would you like to see? Who are some of the other running backs that have caught your eye?
"Well, I think in general we will have more speed then we did last year. No disrespect to (Lance and Keon) but we are going to coach Da'Rel and Morgan, and all of our other running backs to do such a good job that people will forget quickly that we lost two great senior running backs. I want this to be a positive and I want us to feel like we have improved since last year and as coaches and players that's the attitude we need. I think Pha'Terrell Washington has been doing some good things; he just needs to more disciplined and more consistent."
The starting offensive line, which dealt with numerous injuries last season, returns intact with the exception of Andrew Crummey. One of the focuses would seem to be finding capable backups. Who has been making a move up the depth chart along the offensive line?
"Before spring ball started I wasn't really happy with the ways things were going with (starting right tackle) Dane Randolph. Just a little while ago I sat down and had a talk with Dane and now he has been playing as consistently as any player on the line. At right guard I am happy with the play of Phil Costa, who is our only underclassman (among the starting unit). (Center) Edwin Williams is a much underappreciated talent. I think he has the chance to be a big-time player. (Left guard) Jamie Thomas is playing very well, but the guy who is playing extremely well and coming on right now is (sophomore tackle) Bruce Campbell.
Quarterback is always one of the most talked about positions on any team. After starting the final eight games last season, Chris Turner entered the spring No. 1 on the depth chart, followed by Jordan Steffy, Josh Portis and Jamarr Robinson. Can you access the quarterback play through the first three weeks of spring practice and what improvements would you like to see from each of them?
"I think there is a legitimate competition between Chris Turner, Jordan Steffy, and Josh Portis. Chris Turner and Jordan Steffy have been a little bit more consistent day in and day out. However, Josh Portis will do some really great things, but again just isn't nearly consistent enough. Chris holds on to reads a little to long some times and Jordan is getting the ball out a little faster, but they both are playing extremely well."
The team has six players who enrolled in school a semester early, including three on offense (WR Kevin Dorsey, TE Devonte Campbell and TE Matt Furstenberg). How is that group adjusting to the college game?
"Kevin Dorsey has some limited reps right now (due to a prior foot injury). He is a great kid and a really good player. Devonte Campbell is extremely talented, but it is his first time really playing at the tight end position because he was mostly a big wide receiver in high school. He is raw right now and the more reps he gets, the more he'll get going. Matt is a guy recovering from a shoulder injury so we haven't seen much of him yet."
The leadership of a team changes from year to year. Who among the offensive players are emerging as team leaders?
"This is what we are trying to create this year. Instead of trying to have one or two leaders on offense, I want all 11 guys out there to be leaders and to be accountable in all different ways. I want all 11 guys to feel like they are responsible for whether we win or lose. I want each of the offensive lineman to feel like we are going to win or lose by how (they) play. I want the tight ends to feel like we are going to win or lose by the way I play."
Coach Ralph Friedgen mentioned heading into the spring that the team needs to finish better after not being able to close out a couple games last season. Is that something that the offense is conscious of this spring and how have you tried to improve in that area?
"The biggest thing we are trying to do on offense is have consistency. Good offenses have to be consistent and finish games out. That's what we are trying to teach these guys. They understand the message and we are trying to have the attitude that we are going to go out and score 50 points on whoever we play. I don't care how many points our defense gives up, we are going to score more than our opponents. We are going to be relentless in our pursuit of that and they all understand that."
