The Maryland Terrapins opened spring practice March 10, and well, we assume things are fine. Media were allowed in that first day but just once since, though there's another viewing or two before the Spring Game April 21.
Coach Randy Edsall, who can give Barrack Obama a run for his money as the most-scrutinized man in the Metro area, is keeping his second edition of the Terrapins under wraps. That first Maryland team, coming off a 9-4 Military Bowl season in 2010, struggled to a 2-10 mark in 2011.
And there have been other losses, too. Since Edsall took over, 24 players have left his program, most notably 2010 ACC Freshman of the Year Danny O'Brien, who announced he was transferring in February with two years of eligibility left as a top-flight quarterback.
To his credit, Edsall has brought in a solid recruiting class, ranked 35th in the nation and sixth in the ACC by Rivals, and headlined by five-star prospect Stefon Diggs, a jet-fast wide receiver from Olney, Md., and easily the most high profile Maryland signee in several years.
Edsall has been a lightning rod for criticism since taking over for the popular Ralph Friedgen (who wasn't popular enough to sell tickets to keep expanded Byrd Stadium full or land the Terps anywhere better than the Military Bowl after an 8-win season). But since taking over, Edsall has been blasted by fans and lambasted by the media.
Edsall doesn't connect well with those constituencies but apparently he plays really well in the living rooms of potential recruits. And with a pretty good corps of returning players who apparently, as the coach likes to say, are "all in."
That's the good news. Edsall is now surrounded by a more loyal mix of soldiers no longer pining for Friedgen's softer ways. Edsall also shook up his staff -- three new coordinators -- and thanks to the glut of injuries last year, he has a lot of experienced players coming back, though there are several wide-open competitions this spring.
Notably, starting offensive tackles R.J. Dill and Max Garcia have both transferred, opening holes, and center Bennett Fulper is back from an injury to compete for his old job. The receivers are unproven -- Hello, Mr. Diggs (this fall) -- and there are some exciting new running back candidates to take option pitches from default-quarterback C.J. Brown, a junior who showed some promise last year as long as the Terrapins can rely on his legs more than his erratic arm.
But hey, that's what spring practice is for: to iron out the rough spots.
"We've had a very productive winter conditioning program and now we get to go on to the next phase, out on the field, to start to improve our fundamentals and techniques to get us more ready for the 2012 season," said Edsall.
On defense, new coordinator Brian Stewart has a ton of experience back thanks to all the injuries that beleaguered unit suffered last season. Of course all that experience was in a completely different defense than the 3-4 Maryland will employ this fall but the talents of All-ACC DT Joe Vellano and back-from-injury linebacker Kenny Tate should translate in any scheme.
The Terrapins are hoping for a fresh start and a season where fans can get excited about something more than the array of Under Armour uniforms they can don. Of course it might be easier to sell tickets to a skeptical fan base if there were some more news and buzz coming out of spring practice. Right now, everyone will just have to wait and see.
Behind the scenes, we're told, things are looking up.
"There are so many things that we do that promote competition and I think it has helped the team a lot," said senior linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield of changes this offseason. "Even though we are competing against each other I feel like everyone is really together."
NOTES, QUOTES
--Senior transfer Ricky Schultz is the only backup quarterback for Maryland this spring behind junior C.J. Brown. The two are wearing bright yellow jerseys and the word is "hands off" for the defense. "He's not going to get touched at all this spring," coach Randy Edsall said of Brown. The duo will be joined by freshmen Caleb Rowe and Perry Hills in the fall, adding some depth but no experience.
--Edsall said repeatedly this spring he will go with his best five offensive lineman so that could mean a lot of shuffling between now and the Sept. 1 opener with William & Mary. Redshirt freshman RT Ryan Doyle was the only player with no experience listed No. 1 as spring practice began but there's sure to be movement, including RG Justin Gilbert getting a look at tackle, and former defensive lineman De'Onte Arnett searching for a spot to put his athleticism to use. He began the spring at LG.
--Lots of competition on the offensive line where there's also a lot of experience. Lots of depth in the front seven on defense, which could and should be much improved, but just who will get most of the snaps besides Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis in the middle. Which veteran linebackers will emerge in the new 3-4, and how does 2010 All-ACC safety-converted-to-linebacker Kenny Tate, back from a knee injury, figure in? Will the secondary be improved, too?
Can new coordinator Andre Powell shore up the woeful special teams? Is Kerry Boykins ready to step up and lead a receiving corps that disappointed last year?
SPRING MOVERS
QB C.J. Brown -- With O'Brien gone, the offense is tailored to Brown's strengths, running the option from the spread and throwing short to intermediate passes. He has always been a quick study in the two previous Maryland offenses he has played in, so he shouldn't have any trouble.
FB Tyler Cierski -- Had his moments last year but he is much-improved this spring. A weight room demon, he can put some oomph in the running game.
TE Devonte Campbell -- Brown will rely on Campbell, the most athletic pass-catcher among the tight ends. Campbell could be primed for a big senior season.
RB Brandon Ross -- The redshirt freshman was a standout on the scout team last fall but he has impressed in the early going this spring. He has proven a hard-charging north-south runner and there's always a spot for a guy like that even though Justus Pickett has more experience and incoming freshmen Wes Brown and Albert Reid have more talent.
DT Joe Vellano -- The second team All-American has become the face of the program and he's arguably the most talented Terp, including a 20-tackle game last year. His quickness is translating well to the 3-4, and he is a leader by example, as the Terrapins transition to their third new scheme in three seasons.
CB Jeremiah Johnson -- Has all the physical tools to be a solid corner, and has shown flashes with his athletic ability and speed.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2012 OUTLOOK: Outlook is the operative word. While so much has been made of the 24 transfers out since Edsall took over, that means the players who are, as Edsall likes to say, "buying in" are still here. The vibe around the team and the locker room is much better and while the jury is out on coordinator Mike Locksley's new offense and Brown as the ONLY viable QB option, the defense looks to be much-improved and the special teams cannot be any worse. Just a lot of players with a year under their belt under Edsall are going to make this team better. The irony is that football wasn't the reason Friedgen was fired. Maryland lost fans and Edsall hasn't done anything to win them back or add to sagging sales. He better have the product improved on the field this fall.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: New offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, the former New Mexico head coach, is more known for his recruiting chops but he's unveiling a more pro-style spread offense this spring that will play to the strengths of junior quarterback C.J. Brown, a strong option runner who is working to improve as a passer.
QB Danny O'Brien, the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year, has transferred and it's Brown's show now. He'll be working behind a rebuilding offensive line but perhaps have more talent around him at the skill positions, particularly at running back where redshirt freshman Brandon Ross has been impressive this spring. Ross and sophomore Justus Pickett will likely have to fend off challenges from high school All-American Wes Brown and Washington, D.C.'s Gatorade Player of the Year, Albert Reid this fall.
Local product Stefon Diggs is another big-time prospect arriving in the fall that can hopefully shore up a receiving corps that was a weakness last year. Senior center Bennett Fulper should anchor the offensive line, weakened by the transfer of both starting tackles.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Former NFL defensive coordinator Brian Stewart takes over a unit that ranked near the bottom of the FCS last year in total defense (457.1 yards allowed, 108th nationally) and scoring defense (34.25 ppg, 102nd).
The good news is that the injuries that completely sabotaged the defense last season have resulted in a wealth of experience returning for 2012.Sixteen returnees have started at least one game, and there are 10 listed returning starters, including 11 of the top 13 tacklers.
Cat-quick All-America senior Joe Vellano returns at defensive tackle and will again be a key, now in a three-man front. Seniors Demetrius Hartsfield and Darin Drakeford headline a suddenly deep and experienced linebacker corps and the secondary, while young, also has experience.
Stewart vows to be more aggressive in producing pressure out of the front seven to take heat off that secondary. Coaches hope more experience, particularly up front, plus more size, can help the Terps slow opposing rushing attacks, too. Maryland was 111th in the nation, allowing 219.7 yards per game on the ground.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: There's a new special teams coordinator, too, erstwhile running backs coach Andre Powell taking over for Lyndon Johnson, who will just handle coaching the linebackers now. Maryland's special teams were consistently bad last season -- 99th nationally in punt and kickoff returns, and invariably giving up a big play in every contest.
A hip injury to senior kicker/punter Nick Ferrara opened the door for sophomore kicker Michael Tart and redshirt freshman punter Nathan Renfro this spring but Ferrara is expected to be ready this fall.
TOP NEWCOMERS
WR Stefon Diggs -- A five-star prospect out of Olney, Md., Diggs (6-0, 185) runs a 4.4 40, and Edsall keeping him home is a signature statement for the struggling program. He has the big play potential the offense lacks last season.
RB Wes Brown -- Diggs' teammate at Good Counsel High, Brown (6-1,200) rushed for 1,382 yards and 22 touchdowns last year, Rivals' No. 14 RB in the country and a Super Prep and Under Armour All-American. Ditto on the much-needed big play potential.
LB Abner Logan -- Rivals' No. 24 outside LB, Logan (6-1, 220) has the kind of athleticism that will make it difficult to keep him off the field this fall. The No. 3 prospect out of Massachusetts, Edsall has had his eye on him since he was coaching at UConn.
RB Albert Reid -- Reid (5-10, 177) ran for 1,705 yards and 17 touchdowns at Washington, D.C.'s Friendship Collegiate Academy. He earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors and ESPN ranked him the No. 2 prospect in the city. Coaches think his speed and shiftiness will compliment Brown's power and speed perfectly, and again he's a top local prospect Edsall kept home.
DL Quinton Jefferson -- A 2011 sign, Jefferson (6-4, 250) just enrolled in January and is expected to immediately help create some pass rush off the edge. Scouts.com had him rated the No. 40 DE prospect in the nation last year.
ROSTER REPORT
--Besides senior K/P Nick Ferrara (hip), four other Terps are sitting out spring drills with injuries. They are redshirt freshmen WR Tyrek Cheeseboro (knee), and DB Makinton Dorleant (knee), senior LB Kenny Tate (knee) and junior OL Pete White (shoulder).
--Several other returnees were limited in spring workouts by injuries, including defensive linemen, junior Isaiah Ross (knee) and sophomore Ian Evans (strained abductor muscle); senior C Bennett Fulper (knee); junior TE Dave Stinebaugh (shoulder) and sophomore S Matt Robinson (shoulder).
--Sophomore DE Keith Bowers, who impressed last fall, will sit out the remainder of spring workouts after doctors discovered a heart ailment. The condition was discovered when Bowers experienced some discomfort, but the early prognosis is he should be ready to go in the fall.
--Senior OL Justin Gilbert was expected to miss practices after rolling an ankle in winter workouts but he was out the first day. Gilbert has had a history of injuries but started the last three games last season at RG. He is pushing for a tackle job this spring.
--Junior OT Pete DeSouza, injured in a 2010 motor scooter accident on campus, will take a medical hardship season, not fully recovered from injuries. He will serve as a student assistant coach.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think our players understand what the program is that
we have at the University of Maryland. They get that we're trying to
make them better people, better students and better athletes. They
understand that and they are all in." -- Coach Randy Edsall.
