Despite roster changes, new coach is optimistic
As they begin preseason practice, the Maryland Terrapins have plenty of disbelievers — again.
There was good reason for Maryland to be discounted a year ago after its 2-10 free fall of 2009. But Ralph Friedgen resuscitated the program in his final season, going 9-4 and laying a solid foundation for his successor, Randy Edsall.
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So why were the Terps picked by ACC media members to finish fifth out of six teams this year in the Atlantic Division?
“You want my honest answer?” Edsall asked with a smile. “Who were those people picking ’em?
“I’ve never really bought into that stuff. Every year’s a new year. It’ll just give us a little more incentive, a little bit more sense of urgency to go out and prove people wrong.”
Maryland is undergoing a transition, even more than Edsall expected when he took over in January. That’s the only reason, Edsall said, he can account for the low expectations.
“I think people probably looked at some of the issues we’ve had to deal with and maybe factored those things in,” Edsall said, referring in part to the departure — for a variety of reasons — of 12 scholarship players with eligibility remaining.
But in a league full of question marks and teams starting first-year-starting quarterbacks, Maryland has 10 starters back, including ACC freshman of the year Danny O’Brien, who provides continuity and playmaking ability under center.
“I like where we are. I like what I’ve got the ability to work with,” Edsall said. “Danny has the raw ability to play the position. But he’s also the guy who has those leadership qualities you want.”
Edsall enters 2011 with some concerns. He has just four linebackers on scholarship. Depth on the offensive line could hurt. Starting guard Justin Lewis was dismissed earlier this summer. And Edsall can’t count on former starting tackles Justin Gilbert, who is due back in October following a second ACL tear, or Pete DeSouza, who has been cleared for full contact after suffering multiple leg fractures in a November moped accident.
“He’s come a long way, but he’s still got a long way to go,” Edsall said. “It’s gonna be how much explosiveness does he have. That’s something I have to watch.”
The lack of depth is such that Edsall has granted scholarships to four walk-ons — wideout Webb Dulin, long snapper Tim Downs, tight end Ryan Schlothauer and defensive back A.J. Green — all scheduled to graduate in the winter.
Despite the depth concerns and naysayers, Edsall is optimistic.
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinions,” Edsall said. “I know what we have. I know what we can do. Our players know what we have. Our players know what we can do. The only way that we can prove anybody wrong is by going out there on the field and taking care of business.”
