SB Nation - Dion Armstrong

Maryland Football Season Review: DL

Ben Broman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:00:25 -0000

by Rob Carr - AP

18 days ago: Boston College running back Montel Harris (2) is tackled by Maryland defenders Deege Galt, left, and Justin Anderson (50) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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I'll admit it: I was wrong about the defensive line. Long holding at the beginning of the year, against all critics, that Maryland's defensive line would be markedly improved due to a better scheme and better natural talent, I assumed that the defensive line wouldn't be a weak point. I was very, very wrong.

As it so happened, the DL was beaten by nearly every team all year long. Few teams were stifled by them. Everyone could either run over them or keep them out of the backfield long enough to easily pass through them. They were plagued by uncertainty, inexperience, and lack of talent. The first two issues could still be present next year; hopefully the last won't be.

Jared Harrell, DE

28 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 12 starts

Yeah, those stats aren't awesome. Harrell was fairly average his senior year, which was a little bit disappointing. For a full-time starting senior DE, 1.5 sacks is pretty disappointing. Really, though, Harrell's physical tools were pretty average, and he had a few momentum-changing plays. He simply couldn't put together a solid series. It hurts me to say this, but Harrell might've been more part of the problem than the solution.

A.J. Francis, DT

12 games, 10 starts, 31 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack

Some people are born slightly above-average. Others have slightly above-averageness thrust upon them.

The latter was the case with A.J. Francis, who was mildly surprising in his debut freshman season at DT. He was replacing Dion Armstrong, and, despite having pretty high hopes, slightly exceeded what I though he could do. He started 10 games and was one of the better players on the line considering he was a freshman supposed to be a backup.

The future for Francis is bright. He had 31 tackles and 1.5 TFL while being surrounded by no other good linemen as a freshman. As the others improve, he will too. Considering that was his first year and he wasn't god-awful, I'm pretty happy.

Travis Ivey, DT

25 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack

I'll actually miss Travis Ivey. He wasn't noticeably better than Francis statistically, but you could tell that everyone benefitted from the presence of an experienced, talented big man in the middle. He was as disruptive as most of us hoped, but when people can double without fear of repercussions, it makes it difficult to make an impact.

Deege Galt, DE

26 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks

Galt was one of the more polarizing players on the team this year. On the one hand, his lack of natural athleticism was a big minus. On the other, he led all linemen in sacks and was by far the most productive. Part of that has to do with the fact that he was next to Ivey, but part of it has to do with his pure, good old hustle.

Derek Drummond, DE

16 tackles, 1.5 TFL

I actually expected Drummond to earn a starting spot at some point in the season, but it never happened. I'm actually a fan of his pure athleticism and edge speed, but he was plagued by the same issues as Harrell: an inability to finish plays consistently. He tended to get overpowered at times, too. Luckily for Drummond, he has another year to play, and will probably start that year. If he can work on technique and Francis gives him some help next to him, he'll probably be able to pull out a Galt-esque season.

Zach Kerr, DT

2 tackles

At the beginning of the year, everyone assumed Maryland had to burn Kerr's redshirt. They did, in game one, but he got surprisingly little playing time throughout the year. I don't know whether it was because the coaches didn't feel he was good enough or what, but he was pretty invisible, both when he was on the field and because he wasn't on it enough.

On the bright side, he has a ton of potential and great size. There's going to be an open spot at DT next year, and he should take it. How he does could very well decide how well the DL fares next season.

Justin Anderson, DT

3 tackles, .5 TFL

I wasn't happy about the Anderson redshirt burning - after all, Kerr, another freshman, was directly in front of him - but you can't argue with his production compared to Kerr's. He's not as big, but is more athletic and more in the vein of incoming recruit Andre Monroe. He and Kerr will be competing for that single spot at DT next year, and Anderson could have the inside track.

Carl Russell, DT

8 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack

Russell got a surprising amount of PT, and made the most of it. His solid production this year - again, on the Ivey side of the line - will give him a head start for the DE spot next year. He went about his business quietly and effectively; I can't remember him making any big plays, but I can't remember him messing up much either, and he got what came his way.

Masengo Kabongo, DE

2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack

My favorite player on the DL for a number of reasons, I was disappointed by Kabongo's lack of playing time this year behind Russell. He has versatility - can play DE or DT - good size, decent speed, and an amazing name, but he only saw time in five games, even though he had okay production in those games. I would hope that he'd be able to compete for the anchor spot, which he's basically perfect for, but he is still pretty raw.

The Future

Okay, so I said a whole lot of nothing in this review. I'll admit it. But there's a reason behind it: there are very few average DLs. You're either awesome or terrible (or at least good or bad), and not usually in between. Why? Because it's all interdependent.

See, if there's two average linemen and two bad linemen, the OL can focus on the okay ones and bring down the entire line. If there's three decent linemen and one outstanding one, he can disrupt and make everyone else's job easier.

It builds upon each other. It's difficult to really pinpoint who was at fault - who's to say that Francis caused Harrell's troubles and not the other way around? Moreso than any other position, line is the most interdependent.

In a similar vein, it's also the easiest to change. Because everyone depends on each other, minor issues can result in big changes. Next year's team will be plagued with many of the same issues - that is, inexperience and uncertainty for the lineup - but the talent level will rise significantly. De'Onte Arnett could start from day one as a redshirt freshman, and David Mackall, if he ever ends up on campus, is an impact player from day one. There's a lot of talented depth across the board here - the key will be to find the right combination.

Make the line better, and the entire defense gets better. As is the case on offense, the team lives through the line, and Maryland's was bad this year. If it's better next year, expect a much better team.

Preseason ACC Blogger Roundtable

Ben Broman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:11:15 -0000

The good folks over at Tomahawk Nation (Bud, specifically) are hosting the first iteration of another thing you'll have to deal with every week: the ACC Blogger Roundtable. Every team will be represented in the roundtable (minus Duke, because they're awful) by some blog or another, answering questions that will usually be about their teams. The preseason edition is below. The questions are in bold, the answers are normal and unexciting:

Will your team be better than last year, why or why not? Will it show in the record, why or why not?

Short version: They'll be better, but the record won't be.

There's a lot to like about Maryland this year - a game-seasoned, fifth-year senior QB; a deep, talented stable of RBs with a frontline All-ACC starter; nine (yes, nine) game-ready WRs; a likely improved secondary; and leaders returning from the linebacking corps. The new defense, instilled by former UMass head coach Don Brown, has been getting rave reviews and has torn through the offense without fail so far, utilizing surprise blitzes and press coverage. While the defensive line has been getting a bad rap in the media, the new scheme will take a lot of pressure off them, and the projected starters all either have experience or were highly touted out of HS. There's only
one problem, but it's a sizable one: the offensive line. The group is talented, but very, very young, which could render all those skill players moot, particularly early on as they adapt to playing when it counts.

By the end of the year, I'm fairly confident that the line will have gelled together and the weak spots will have been shored up, meaning this team will be a bear to play late in the season. At that point, there's no doubt in my mind this year's Maryland will be better than last year's. They might even be better already. But last year's Maryland overachieved a little, winning in spite of a constant prevent defense; so while they may win head-to-head, besting 8 wins may be tough to do, especially in an improved ACC.

The ACC has been racked hard by injuries in the off-season, which guys did your team lose and how will you replace them if you can? On the flip side, who are the newcomers expected to step up, if any?

Injuries have been quiet in College Park this off-season. The only major player lost was probable starting DT Dion Armstrong. He left the team due to academic ineligibility and fitness problems, but no one was really counting on his presence come September (these issues had been known for awhile). He'll be replaced by redshirt freshman A.J. Francis and true freshman Zach Kerr. Both should be able to do an adequate job in filling that hole - both are as talented as Armstrong, and very underrated.

There are a few other newcomers who could contribute, notably PK Nick Ferrara, G Pete White, LBs Darin Drakeford and Avery Murray, and RBs Caleb Porzel and D.J. Adams. Ferrara is a scholarship kicker, so you'd expect him to be the starter. White is a massive, talented guard, a position that doesn't have a lot of depth. Both Drakeford and Murray
enrolled in the spring to get a head start, and, because there's not a lot of depth at LB, could find themselves backups. Neither Porzel nor Adams are needed, but they're two of the most skilled and athletic players Maryland's brought in a long time, and have been impressing Ralph Friedgen in practice. Friedgen's known to be quick to burn RB redshirts, so the best of the two may see the field.

Which existing player (or group of players) must step their game up in order for your team to over-achieve?

Unquestionably, the offensive line. As I've already said, they're the one huge weakness. If they can show that they're better than what people are saying, even if that only ends up being average, I'll be very confident about this team. If I had to single out one guy, I'd say LG Lamar Young - he's very talented, but reportedly has some issues with attitude, an issue a group this young doesn't need to deal with.

Maryland Minute 8.13.09 - A.J. Francis Emerges, Defensive Line Links Aplenty

Ben Broman — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:13:16 -0000

AJ Francis = Quote Machine - DC Sports Fan
I already mentioned AJ Francis' musical prowess, but I would be remiss if these great quotes were left out.

"While I was redshirting, I hated it," Francis said. "I would get amped up to play every game, I traveled to every game, and in every game except for the Boston College game and the Bowl Game, there was a chance that I could play if someone went down. But Looking [sic] back now, it was the best thing to happen for me. I was weak, immature and had a lack of discipline that would have gotten me eaten alive out there.
...

"Darin is a knucklehead," Francis said. "Darin is one of the goofiest kids I know, but he is a hell of a football player. He is a lot more progressed at this point than I ever would have expected from a true freshman linebacker."

...

"In a 50-yard race, I would need a 40-yard head start and he would have to run backwards, just so we could tie," Francis said. "But seriously, Caleb is so fast and agile that trying to tackle him is like trying to catch water in your hands."

The Caleb Porzel joke is one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time.

Masengo Kabongo Makes a Good Point, Likes Ice Cream
This defensive line has gone from bad to amazing in a period of a few hours, thanks to the introduction of AJ Francis and Masengo Kabongo:

"You know what? You're right, we're inexperienced. But ... [Pauses dramatically to munch on ice cream sandwich] talent can beat out experience sometimes. If we can bring it together as a team and work together, we'll be just fine."

Indeed, Masengo. Indeed.

Players - Yes, AJ Francis is Among Them - Love Brown's Scheme
Now that AJ Francis is officially my favorite Terp, it's time to quote him:

"With this new scheme, like if you get the right blitz call for a certain play, you can make anybody look like an All-American," said defensive tackle A.J. Francis. "The last defense, there were things that we did certain times, especially against shotgun situations, that weren't right. This defense is a lot easier to run right."

That's the one thing that gives me hope about the Cal game - there's no film on this defense. It can only be a plus.

Maryland line gets defensive on lack of respect - TWT
Heather Dinich: Pissing off and motivating Terps for...well, just about ever:

At least that rundown didn't have the personal overtones of another similar ranking from another site, this one poking at the Terrapins' questions at the position.
"It basically said the reason we're the 12th-ranked defensive line in the ACC is because we have so much lack of experience and lack of depth that I'm the starting nose," redshirt freshman A.J. Francis said. "That's what it said. When I read that, I've never been more motivated in my entire life."

Even without Dion Armstrong, I still have trouble swallowing this group will be last. Travis Ivey has all the makings of a Dre Moore-esqe season, Masengo Kabongo and AJ Francis have talent and will be media luminaries, and I'd be surprised if one of Derek Drummond, Jared Harrell, or De'Onte Arnett isn't at least average.

More on Armstrong
Still very disappointed about this, even though things are looking up (see above).

"He came in this morning and thanked me and said he was sorry he disappointed me and said he was going to transfer," coach Ralph Friedgen said. ... Yet his academic issues prompted Friedgen to concede he "wasn't really counting on him" for this season. "I said 'Fine. It's time to move on,'" Friedgen said. "I don't want to get into the whole thing and make a big deal. We have to worry about kids who want to be here. That's where I'm going with that."

Pat Stevens' Practice Notes
Lots of interesting things here from Pat Stevens, but the two I liked were:

* Another day, another Kenny Tate interception. * Two true freshmen Friedgen wants extended looks at in Saturday's scrimmage are center Bennett Fulper and guard Pete White. "I think both of them will be good players," Friedgen said. "I think if you see they may develop, hopefully you have them by the third or fourth game and you've added to your depth. That's what I'm hoping is going to happen. Pete's got to drop a little weight. ... He's very much in the thick of things because that right guard is up for grabs."

It'd be great if White could lose a little weight - he could be one of the best options at RG.

Jordan Williams Has Some Inflated Expecations - IMS
Sorry, Jordan, but if you're giving 10 and 10 with an occasional 20 as a freshman in the ACC, I may just qualify that as "star".

"Like they said when they recruited me, they need size in the middle. Greivis Vasquez was telling us, we don't have to be [stars] but if we can give 10 and 10 or maybe 20 points here and there, we're going to be really good," he said.

Good read, though.

CFN's Best RB Units: Maryland #15
That seems about right. There's so much depth and a frontline, all-ACC caliber starter, so I was hoping for top ten, but that was probably a bit too much.

Bryd Suite Update - TWT
Progress from last time, but not a whole heck of a lot of it.

Maryland has sold season deals for 40 of the 64 suites with just more than a month before they open; at this time a year ago, Maryland already had sold 28.
...
But the greatest priority, athletic director Debbie Yow said, is meeting a debt requirement of about $2.4 million annually over 20 years. For that to happen, the Terps need to reach the 48-suite plateau this season.
...
Yow said she didn't believe the Terps had reached a ceiling but admitted it could be "unless you develop a consistent level of excellence." She said such a standard would require a series of nine-win seasons, including bowl games. Maryland hasn't won nine games in consecutive seasons since Friedgen's first three years.

"You have to create a need," Yow said. "People have to feel like they need the tickets. Not that they want them. But that they need them for quality of life - 'My life is incomplete if I am not at Maryland watching them beat Rutgers. It's incomplete.' You do that by winning."

Really, Rutgers is the main draw? I'm on board about the 9 wins a year, though.

'Dog Days - D1scourse
An interesting tidbit from Pat Stevens about Maryland's 21 point underdog odds against Cal:

And should this spread hold up, it will mark the biggest Maryland has faced since a 2000 trip to Clemson, when the Tigers were favored by 31 1/2. Which means, of course, it would be the largest of coach Ralph Friedgen's tenure. The largest to date (according to Steele) was a 19.5-point spread at Clemson in 2006. The Terps won 13-12.

Dion Armstrong Leaves the Team, Will Transfer

Ben Broman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:30:49 -0000

Intimidating or no, it looks like Dion Armstrong couldn't make the grades.. Image via Daylife

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I feel a little bad, because I completely stole the entire story with just that headline. From @insidemdsports on Twitter:

Ralph says Dion Armstrong has left the team and will transfer.

That's a big, big problem. Armstrong was looked at as one of the key fulcrums for the defensive line, a unit where there's no sure things right now outside of Travis Ivey. People raved about his potential, his size and surprisingly athleticism. If he could've come through, the middle of the line would've been extremely strong, which is almost a necessity with the ends as average as they are.

Instead, it looks like he's gone. Armstrong had been having academic issues and sat out spring practice for that very reason. His status was in limbo as practice started, and the problem was compounded by fitness issues. Whether it's grades, attitude, or fitness that did him in I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out tomorrow.

Like I said earlier, this is a big loss for the team as a whole, and the defense especially. Sliding in his spot will probably be A.J. Francis, who thought highly of Armstrong and seems to be a quote machine in the making. Francis was redshirted last year, but did well in practice and came this close to seeing the field. He sounds like a vocal guy who could be a team leader early on, but his talent level - or at least his potential - doesn't seem to be what Armstrong's is.

If there was one thing Maryland didn't need, this would be it. A new defense while one of the biggest cogs is missing? That's bad news. Hopefully Francis can step up and fill what is now a very large hole in the line.

Maryland Minute 8.12.09 - Permanent Captains, Dion Armstrong, Terps Still Lead for Parker

Ben Broman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:21:10 -0000

Permanent captains possible - D1SCOURSE
Does it have an impact? Perhaps. Is it interesting? Very.

Friedgen is considering instituting permanent captains for the first time in his tenure after his Terrapin Council asked if it was possible to do so. "I told them I was going to wait until the end of two-a-days to do that and have a team vote," Friedgen said. "I'll probably have two on offense and two on defense and then get a special teams captain for every game."

So, offense will be Chris Turner and Phil Costa? And defense will be two of Travis Ivey, Nolan Carroll, and Alex Wujciak? That sounds right to me, anybody I'm forgetting?

Good news on the Dion Armstrong front (no he didn't qualify)
But AJ Francis thinks that that stuff about Armstrong not being a hard worker is baloney:

"I don't know what the whole situation is as of today, but he's doing the work he needs to do," Francis said. "He gets a bum rap. People say he's lazy and he's not doing the work he needs to do, but he is. It's just sometimes he doesn't prioritize the way he should, but he's fixed that completely. The fact of the matter is he's a different person."

Terps Still Lead for Parker - NBE
He's still probably the most likely to commit next, unless the Terps slowplay him.

"Parker’s top five at the moment includes Maryland, Wake Forest, Miami, Auburn and Arkansas," Landseadel told NBE in an e-mail. "Parker appears to be leaning towards Maryland at the moment, and is planning on making his visits in the fall to help finalize his choice."

SI Says: No Bowl for Maryland
Just some more bulletin board material for Ralph & Co. God knows they have enough of it.

Oh Joy!
Kenny Tate could be a hybrid nickle linebacker. Yes, a linebacker. Is there any doubt he won't be a beast on the field this year?

What's hot (and not) in college football for 2009 - ESPN
Hey! Have you heard Ralph Friedgen lost weight and Maryland's offensive line is young?

HOT: Fridge's thinner waistline: Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has dropped nearly 100 pounds since October with an improved diet and exercise.

NOT: Fridge's thinner offensive line: If the Terrapins are going to match last season's 8-5 record, they'll have to replace three starters on the offensive line.

CFN's Best Linebackers: Wujciak Clocks in at #22
That's fair, I suppose. He is a tackle machine, even if his game isn't quite as well-rounded as I'd like.

CFN's Best Kick Returners: No Torrey Smith?
Really, guys? He might not've been the most explosive kick returner, but he set an ACC record as a freshman. That's got to count for something. And it's not like they were just from a bunch of 25 yard returns - he busted a 99 yarder on Nevada.

Terps Insider: Travis Baltz Profile
Nice piece on one of the best punters in the game, Travis Baltz. I found this a little funny:

To calm his nerves, he takes a deep breath and he thinks about Gaba, or Florence Baltz as she was more commonly known. Gaba was Baltz's grandmother, and while she occasionally watched Baltz play, Baltz said he wasn't sure how much she really understood about the sport. However, that didn't mean Gaba was bereft of competitive juices.

"When we played cards with her, if you beat her in a hand, she might punch you," Baltz said of Gaba, who stood 5 feet 4. "It's kind of weird being scared of your grandma."

Proud to be Punter U.

FLS - Terps' Smith knows he can adjust on fly to split end
An article from Torrey Smith's (and mine) hometown paper, the Free Lance Star, on Mr. Smith himself. The tastiest nuggets:

"He's a great weapon," special teams coach Charles Bankins said. "We've talked about Torrey leading the country in all-purpose yardage. I told him if he does his part as a receiver, I'll take care of the rest."

"Coach Bankins wants six. He's not satisfied with big yards; he wants a touchdown every time," Smith said. "Each time I'm out on the field, I want to score."

CJ Leslie Stars at Nike Global
A note I missed from yesterday:

If there is a bouncier 4-man in the country than Leslie -- although 6-foot-9 Perry Jones (Duncanville, Texas) might have an argument -- I would be shocked. Leslie wasn't seen much during the summer circuit, but he put on an explosive, acrobatic show that was pretty much peerless. Whether it was attacking the rim in the half-court set or catapulting in transition, his effort was awe-inspiring. His skills are limited outside of five feet, but he has a pretty nifty spin move that is cat quick. He gets up twice before most get up once while trying to finish in the paint area, and he has terrific hands. He needs to improve his range on his jump shot at the elbow, but the upside is definitely there. Overall, Leslie has the potential to be a terrific player at the next level. If he can improve his skills, his ceiling is quite high because his effort at both ends is outstanding.

Of course, he just listed Maryland as a school recruiting him hardest (which often - though not always - correlates to the top school list).

More from Nike Global: Terrence Jones
Not quite done yet:

Terrence Jones (Portland, Ore./Jefferson) put together a nice performance displaying his versatile game. He needs to post up more often to utilize his imposing physique, but he can face up and get to the rim or hand out a nifty assist. However, his jump shot, more like a set shot, needs polishing due to a slow release.

Maryland Minute 8.4.09 - Scott Makes Walker Watchlist

Ben Broman — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:21:33 -0000

Da'Rel Scott: Finally get the props he deserves. Image via ESPN

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2009 Doak Walker watch list unveiled - Scott on it
Chris Turner might not've made the Davey O'Brien watchlist, but Da'Rel Scott made his. I guess that's to be expected - he was all-ACC last year, after all.

Counting down college football's most prestigious programs - Maryland #31 - ESPN
Is it just me, or is this a little high? Regardless, I'll take it. It is all-time, so there are some head-scratchers for anyone under the age of 70 (like Duke at #38).

NBADraft.net Preseason Top 25: Maryland at #24
Yeah, take that, Gary critics (if there are still some out there other than myself about five months ago).

24. Maryland Terrapins
Last season: 21-14 (7-9 ACC), Round of 32
Key returnees: G Greivis Vasquez (17.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5 apg), F Landon Milbourne (11.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Key addition: C Jordan Williams
Key loss: F Dave Neal
Projected starting lineup: PG-Vasquez / SG-Adrian Bowie / SF-Sean Mosley / PF-Milbourne / C-Williams
The Prognosis: No coach was more embattled last season than Gary Williams, and no coach more resolute or vindicated. The Terrapins managed a shocking ascent from the bottom of the bubble to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they were embarassed by Memphis. Vasquez was the only power conference player to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, and the vivacious Venezuelan is good enough to emerge as a legitimate All-ACC first teamer this year. Will he have help? I think so - Milbourne and Mosley both could be headed for breakout years.

Five pre-camp questions: Maryland defense - D1SCOURSE
The most interesting question to me was about Dion Armstrong. The other ones I'm not too considered about, but I see Armstrong as a real fulcrum this year.

Mario Rowson the 7th Best HSer in the 757
This area is loaded with talent, so there's no shame in being #7. It's actually got to be a bit of an honor.

Rowson runs 4.4 in the 40. He benches 310 pounds and lifts 185 pounds 15 times. He’s strong with a wide frame. His best attribute is his ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. It not only frustrates the receiver but makes it difficult for them to get open. "You just don’t find corners that big," Titans coach Hank Sawyer said. He’s got great hands and excellent closing speed. Rowson has committed to Maryland.

There's also a highlight video in the article. Rowson is definitely a perfect fit for that press defense.

Recruiting Report: Devin Burns discusses Maryland commitment
More on the Devin Burns commitment. I'm starting to warm up to the sleeper idea - I mean, it worked for Wake Forest, right?

As a true freshman, Burns will join classmate Tyler Smith, plus Jamarr Robinson, C.J. Brown and Danny O’Brien in the battle to replace Chris Turner at quarterback. Burns said the Terps coaches like his dual-threat ability. "They like the fact that I can throw the ball; I’ve got a strong arm and [I’m] accurate," Burns said. "They also like the fact that I can run just as good as I can throw the ball. If the play breaks down, I can [take off running]."

So every single QB on the team will be able to make plays with their feet. All of them. We have no Sam Hollenbachs. Looks like we're still searching for Scott McBrien's successor.

Edwin Williams Challenging for a Spot on Redskins' Roster
Good article from the WaPo on former Terp Edwin Williams and his challenge to make the roster. He seems to enamored with Casey Rabach right now, but let me tell you, Edwin: he isn't that good.

Zags - Harris Cutting List at End of August
I thought the delay - from end of July to end of August - was made clear a few weeks ago, but whatever. Tobias Harris, in case you couldn't tell from the title, is waiting until the end of this month to cut his list. The thing I found more interesting, though, was this:

"Memphis, Kentucky, Florida and UCLA are trying to get involved. We have not decided at this point to explore these schools," Torrel said.

And that means we still have a shot, if a miniscule.

Gary Getting It Done, and Telling the World on Twitter
Gary Williams has done a lot of recruiting. And he wants you to know it. That's why he announced that he's been to six different cities in the past three or so weeks.

Glad to be back in the office. Been to Las Vegas, Cleveland, Cincy, Augusta, Los Angeles, and Phoneix the last few weeks recruiting.

I love the new, active Gary.

Nike Global Challenge teams released
These names had been trickling out, but this is the first full list I've seen. It is packed with Terp targets, and this tournament should be great. Trevor Cooney, Roscoe Smith, and Tobias Harris are all participating for the 2009 USA East team, while Terence Jones, CJ Leslie, and James Johnson are on the USA West/South team. I wish I lived in Oregon.

Tobias Harris is a year young
Wow, really?

6-7 Tyler and 6-8 Tobias Harris as we have discussed in the past have started elementary school a year earlier than normal. Tyler should be a rising sophomore and Tobias should be a rising junior. Being the father of six kids I took advantage of the opportunity to enroll both sons into school early as it was big savings on day care.

Huh. I never knew that.

Baxter and Ibekwe sign in Turkey
In case you were wondering what these two former Terps were up to, they've just signed with two Turkish teams.

Football Fall Practice Storylines to Follow

Ben Broman — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:08:59 -0000

We're now less than one week away from the official kickoff of football season, as Maryland practice gets underway next Monday, August 10. Here's a basic guide of things to watch for:

The entire offensive line's performance - This might seem like a copout, but it's a completely necessary generalization. How far Maryland goes this year depends almost wholly on the offensive line's performance. Outside of fifth-year senior center Phil Costa and stud LT Bruce Campbell, the entire line is a question mark. Will Andrew Gonella or Lamar Young be the starting LG? Who'll start at RT? Can the line gel? All of these are very important issues that should be made clear through spring practice.
The massive wide receiver battle - Let's face it, only a certain number of wide receivers can dress for the travel team. Let's say, just for the sake of saying it, seven - that's a pretty reasonable number, and I think it was six or seven last year. If it is seven, there could be an issue, because the Terps have at least nine receivers good enough to make that team. There's a massive log-jam at the position, and I'd venture to say only two players - Torrey Smith and Ronnie Tyler - have any semblance of job security.
Jamarr Robinson's development and the backup QB spot - Sure, Ralph called him the most improved player of the spring during the ACC media days, but it's a long time since spring. And if there's anything Terrapins Rising has shown us, it's that Jamarr Robinson hasn't always had the coaches' confidence. If he doesn't show improvement, regresses, or either of the freshman duo CJ Brown and Danny O'Brien impress, he could be out of a job.
The continuing implementation of the Don Brown defense - A new defensive coordinator is in town, and he's a lot better than the old one. Don Brown will hopefully continue introducing more blitz concepts and continue teaching press man and cover two defensive schemes, something Maryland defenders aren't used to. While I have no doubt the scheme can be a success, it ultimately depends on how the players grasp it.
Dion Armstrong - Armstrong was expected to be the starting DT, but is not listed on the depth chart...was it a mistake, or is he having academic trouble? The defensive line could really depend on his presence.
The defensive end battle - Jared Harrell has the "anchor" spot - whatever that is - pretty well locked down, but Derek Drummond isn't so sure about his DE spot. Expect Masengo Kabongo to seriously challenge for field time.
The special teams battles - Nick Ferrara, the current favorite to start at PK, is currently at #3 at the PK spot on the depth chart. You can bet that won't last long, but it'll still be interesting to see his development. Meanwhile, Tony Logan is the current leader at PR, but I expect a lot of challengers, from Kenny Tate to Anthony Wiseman to basically any non-essential player.

Is Maryland Last-Place Bad?

Ben Broman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:09:22 -0000

I know Maryland football isn't going to be great next year, but are the Terps last-in-the-ACC-Atlantic bad? Tony Barnhart looked at every major football magazine preview and listed their predictions. He then threw his own into the hat. The consensus? Maryland will finish dead last.

Athlon: Florida State, N.C. State, Clemson, Wake Forest, Boston College, Maryland

Lindy's: Florida State, Wake Forest, Clemson, N.C. State, Boston College, Maryland

Phil Steele: Clemson, Florida State, Boston College (tie 3rd), N.C. State (tie 3rd), Wake Forest, Maryland

Sporting News: Florida State, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Clemson, Maryland, Boston College

The Kickoff: N.C. State, Wake Forest, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, Boston College

Then, when you throw in Barnhart's prediction (yet another last placer), Maryland is easily the last team in the conference, at least according to these guys. Barnhart had this to say:

Maryland: The Terps have their offense back on track with James Franklin calling the plays for QB Chris Turner and RB Da'Rel Scott (1,133 yards in 2008). But the issues last season were on defense and veteran Don Brown has been called in to fix it. He'll have to work some magic, which includes replacing seven starters, in order to keep the Terps out of the cellar.

I understand the issues at hand on the team, but he doesn't present a very convincing argument. The defense should see an improvement, not a drop. I'd be surprised if Travis Ivey and Dion Armstrong don't perform to Navarre and Bemi's level. Kevin Barnes can scarcely be called a starter, as he missed half the season anyway. Jeff Allen's departure isn't a big deal, as Kenny Tate and Antwine Perez are still there. Add in a defensive coordinator who knows what he's doing, and the defense won't be worse. Maybe not a big improvement, but probably not a decrease. The bigger issue is on the offensive line, which was mediocre last year and will be even younger now. Outside of Bruce Campbell, the entire line scares me.

Is Maryland really that bad this year? I don't think so - I'm actually expecting another bowl. But these kind of thoughts aren't exactly good omens.

Tuesday Links: Women's Basketball (and Football) Edition

Ben Broman — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:12:24 -0000

The women's basketball team is starting to get some notice in the media. Strangely, it's all coming from Dan Steinberg.

First, he asks why the media doesn't cover the women as much as the men. It's an interesting debate, but one that is easily explained. Besides the fact that more men watch sports than females (men care about men's sports more than they do women's sports), men's basketball is more exciting to watch for those who aren't basketball junkies. The pace of the women's game is slower and there aren't any high-flying dunks, which turns off some fans. Not saying it's good or bad, just pointing out it out.
Next, he walks us through the women's locker room. There's colorful, positive signs all over - "Heart", "Fun". "Be Aggressive", etc. There's a jar of toy turtles with coach, player, and staff names on them. When they're dropped in water, they "come out of their shell" - an obvious metaphor. It's actually a pretty humorous read.
Remember, the Lady Terps take on Utah tonight at 7, The game's on ESPN2.
Maryland football started spring practice today. Out of the bit I caught of Ralph's press conference, he seemed to really like the skill positions (WR, RB) and defensive backfield (S, particularly). Alex Wujiack will be out all spring, which is a disappointment (he can't seem to stay healthy), and Dion Armstrong will miss a week. Cory Jackson had an "operation", he'll also be out all spring. Fridge expressed some concern over the OL, and I can't blame him - they are young. He also discussed the QB situation - let's just say it wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for Jamarr Robinson. It almost sounded like he's already playing catchup to the freshmen (who aren't even on campus yet).
A new depth chart for football was released today to go along with the start of practice. Demetrius Hartsfield seems like he'll finally see the field; he's a starter right now. Drew Gloster seems to be doing well at the MIKE spot, though he'll lose his position once Wujciak returns. The offensive line, a crapshoot before, seems to be settling: outside of Campbell and Costa - who were known - the starters will be Paul Pinegar, Justin Lewis, and Lamar Young. I expect all three positions to change, but at least some starters are down.

Terps Out of It

Ben Broman — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:01:33 -0000

After attending the game, I can't express in words just how disappointed I am with this team. A night game, a blackout, a must-win, senior night...and they give that kind of performance. It was just sad.

One could tell from the beginning it wasn't going to be a good game. Florida State came out pumped up, jumping around, very active. Maryland? Almost somber. Very little energy. That was echoed when the game started.

Chris Turner did not have a good day, obviously. Threw a couple of picks that really hurt. That's not to say he was the biggest culprit - pointing out one player would be hugely incorrect. No one did their job last night. The offensive line is another big one - perhaps Turner would've done better if he wasn't getting whacked every time he stepped back to pass. And the running game - maybe if it was actually a threat, the defense would have to play honestly, and Turner wouldn't be facing a blitz every single down. At halftime, Maryland had one yard rushing. One yard!

Then there's the defense. They did very little all game. It's tough to blame them too much - they could've given up only 6 points and still lost. Not to mention how much they were on the field. But man, there were times when Christian Ponder would run over guys - a quarterback would carry a linebacker. What kind of performance is that?

That brings me to the coaching staff, who maybe were the worst of everyone. Chalk me up as one who doesn't understand James Franklin. Both starting safeties are out for FSU, and yet he decides to go dink-and-dunk for half the game. Darrius Heyward-Bey would consistently get single coverage, yet throwing it deep to him seemed to be taboo. Instead, Franklin thought to get the ball in his hands by screen plays and reverses - I have trouble with that. Another problem - on almost every pass play, Turner would roll out to his right, completely taking away half the field. Instead of covering 53 yards, the defense had to cover 26 yards. That's a substianally less amount of space, which only makes it harder for the QB. Even worse, Meggett played most of his time in the spread, while Scott played more in the 2 TE packages - the exact opposite of what's supposed to happen. The power back goes in the power set, the speed back in the speed set.

Chris Cosh wasn't better. Too often he'd set the defensive back ten yards of the line of scrimmage. This mostly happened in the 1st and 2nd quarters, and FSU saw it - they were able to hit screen plays and short dump offs for seven or eight yards consistently. The middle of the line was the weakest I've seen it in a long time. I don't know if was the players or the scheme, but it wasn't right.

Really, despite the crappy coaching, it comes down the players. Yes, at times Cosh didn't call the right set. But the times Moises Fokou, Jeremey Navarre, Dave Philistin, or Dion Armstron just ran by the guy the ball - usually Ponder - or tried (and failed) to arm tackle him instead of wrap him up...they didn't execute. Same with the offense. Franklin's plan would've worked perfectly had the line actually blocked. It's the players fault foremost, then the coaches for failing to adapt. Just a very, very saddening game.

[photo via ESPN/AP]