Pressuring the quarterback and containing the running game will be key for the University of Maryland defense this fall. A young defensive backfield will also depend on a young defensive line, which is headed up by sophomore end Jeremy Navarre.
The state wrestling champ from Joppatowne High School who is in the midst of his second year as a starter in the Terps? football system, has made it his job to wrestle down opposing quarterbacks and ball carriers.
“A lot more calm,” Navarre said when asked to assess his game now compared to 12 months ago. “Last year was a lot of thinking. You play a lot faster when you?re not thinking.”
He was the first true freshman to start a season opener for Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, and had two tackles in a win over Navy. And while he established himself as a deserving starter in 2005, Navarre is primed to be an impact player in 2006.
The next step for Navarre is to get more pressure on the quarterback ? he has yet to record a collegiate sack. As a whole, the Terps need to improve on that, too, according to Navarre.
“Pressuring the quarterback is one of those things,” Navarre said. “We work on that a lot in practice.”
Missed tackles are another issue the Terps must address.
“Defensively, I think we need to tackle better … and contain the football better,” Friedgen said.
