Mr. Steele operates the website http://www.philsteele.com/, and annually produces his College Football Preview Magazine. The 2009 Edition is available at Newsstands now, and is an overwhelming wealth of information.

Recognized as one of the Nation’s most knowledgeable College Football Writers, Mr. Steele is on the voting committees for the John Mackey, O’Brien Quarterback, Lombardi, and Ted Hendricks Awards.

Recently, Mr. Steele graciously answered a few Terp related questions for Baltimore Sports and Life.

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Terps appear to have plenty of offensive skill position talent,but questions on the offensive-line. With that known, what do you think is the more appropriate offensive philosophy for this team? Should MD be trying to spread the field with 4 WR’s and forcing defenders out of the box, or should they play things close to the vest by keeping multiple TE’s and RB’s in to help-block?”

Mr. Phil Steele: “With the talent in the backfield like Da’Rel Scott, Davin Meggett and Morgan Green and some good sized TE’s, I would take the more conservative tact. They have a good sized line with my projected starters averaging 311 lbs and it is easier to learn run blocking than pass blocking. “

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Da’Rel Scott, Davin Meggett, and Morgan Green all return to the MD back-field for the 2009 season. Between the 3 of them, they had a combined 1,702 yards and 15 TD’s in 2008. Georgia Tech seems universally regarded as having the bestrunning-back unit in the ACC; where does this MD group have to improve in 2009 to be held in a similar esteem?”

Mr. Phil Steele: “Georgia Tech is married to the option and I do not see Maryland scrapping its offense and going to the pure rush attack. Right now I have Maryland my #5 set of RB’s in the ACC and they could easily move up in those rankings as the talent is there.“

Baltimore Sports and Life: “MD will of course be looking to replace the production of NFL 1stround Draft-Choice WR Darius Heyward-Bey. Torrey Smith seems to be the most likely candidate to step into that lead-roll. What are your thoughts on the athleticism and overall talent-level of some of Smith’s fellow WR’s and TE’s? Players such as Ronnie Tyler, Kerry Boykins, Kevin Dorsey, Lansford Watson, and Devonte Campbell?”

Mr. Phil Steele: “Both Smith and Tyler are HT’s (Top 100 WR out of HS) that are both sophs with 20+ catches last year. Tyler has good speed and a 35” VL. Smith is a little bigger and showed his elusiveness with a 25.9 avg on KR’s last year. Watson is a VHT TE with good size and some experience. Boykins is a VHT WR that is 6’ and was on the track team. He missed half of his senior season or would have been a higher recruit. Devonte Campbell is another VHT TE (PS#8) with good size (250 lbs). Dorsey is my highest rated WR at PS#24 and is the biggest of those mentioned at 6’2”. I like the talent of this group the only thing lacking is experience.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Terps have had Defensive-Line talent during Coach Friedgen’s tenure at MD, with players like Kris Jenkins, Shawn Merriman, and DreMoore. Overall though, the D-Line has been pretty weak in their ability to provide a consistent pass-rush. Former UMass Head Coach Don Brown has taken over as the MD Defensive-Coordinator, and is supposed to have an attacking style.
Is it realistic to believe that on scheme alone, MD can improve? Do you see the Freshman 4Star Defensive Ends Arnett, and Mackall burning their Red-shirts and getting significant time?”


Mr. Phil Steele: “Last year the Terps allowed a respectable 147 ypg rush and the 3.9 ypc was their best marks in 4 years. This year the starting Dline is gone as are their #2 and #3 tacklers on the Dline. The Terps get to avoid Georgia Tech but do play teams led by RB’s such as Jahvid Best of Cal, CJ Spiller of Clemson, and Darren Evans of Virginia Tech. I do not think a change of scheme will be enough to overcome the losses in the front 7 and I project the rush defense numbers will rise this year. Arnett was in for the spring and I would expect him in the two deep by the end of August. “

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Coastal Division of the ACC appears to have the real-strength of the league with VaTech, GaTech, and UNC. What do you make of the ACC Atlantic?”

Mr. Phil Steele: “You forgot to mention Miami Florida in the Coastal which may have the most athletic talent of the bunch. I see Clemson and Florida St as the top two teams in the Atlantic this year. BC has taken some hits since I wrote the magazine (lost QB and LB) and I think the battles for 3rd and 4th are wide open.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “MD heads to California to kick-off the 2009 season in a rematch of last year. Rutgers will come to College Park in Week 3, looking to avenge a home-loss to MD in 2007. Where do you project Cal in the Pac-10, and the Scarlet-Knights in the Big East?

Mr. Phil Steele: “I have Rutgers winning the Big East and having a shot at being a surprise team. I have Cal #2 in the Pac 10 and they are my #3 surprise team this year as I give them a decent shot at knocking off USC in the Pac 10.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “I am projecting the Terps to finish 8-4 overall, and 5-3 in the ACC…. schedule and projection shown below… what records do you seefor the Terps overall, and in conference play?”

@ Cal – L
Middle Tenn St – W
Rutgers – W
James Madison – W
Clemson – W
@ Wake – W
@ NCST – L
@ FSU – L
Boston College – W
UVA – W
@ Duke – W
VaTech – L

= 8-4, 5-3

Mr. Phil Steele: “I agree with most of your W’s and L’s. Here are the ones I differ on. I have the Rutgers game a tossup. I favor Clemson as they have my #9 rated Offensive line and #9 rated defensive line and if you control the trenches you generally control the game. Maryland is young along both lines. I also have Wake Forest favored at home. One thing I have learned about Grobe and his Wake squad is that no matter what my power ratings come up with talent wise, he gets more wins out of the team. Wake has 13 returning starters to Maryland’s 9 and Wake is at home. WF is 14-5 at home the last 3 years and only lost 20 lettermen while the Terps lost 30. We agree on all the other games this year.”

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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