Terps Football Q&A with Patrick Stevens, Washington Times

Patrick Stevens covers the University of Maryland (and other local colleges) for the Washington Times.

You can find his work with the Times at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/d1scourse/

Stevens is also on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/#!/D1scourse

Baltimore Sports and Life thanks Mr. Stevens for answering a few Terps Football related questions.

Baltimore Sports and Life: “With the departure of Taylor Watson, and Haroon Brown;
the FB depth has been limited. How did Rahsaan Moore perform in the Spring? Do you
expect incoming Freshman Tyler Cierski to immediately push Moore?”

Patrick Stevens: “Given the limited media access during spring practice — three 40-minute sessions, plus the always-vanilla spring game — it’s difficult to credibly offer an assessment on anyone’s performance beyond what coach Randy Edsall had to say. With that in mind, Moore wasn’t mentioned a whole lot throughout the spring. Also worth mentioning: It’s uncertain just how much Maryland will utilize a fullback in offensive coordinator Gary Crowton’s scheme. Considering there are no fullbacks on the roster with playing experience, Cierski would seem to be very close to (if not at) the top of the list of true freshman most likely to play at some point this season.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “With Kenny Tate moved to LB, the projected starting
LB’s (Tate, Hartsfield, and Drakeford) appear to be a talented, athletic trio. An already
thin group of LB reserves has become thinner with Ryan Donohue leaving the program.
Reserves Desmond Kearse, Mario Rowson, and Lorne Goree all came to College Park
with some pedigree. Out of that group, who is best poised to emerge a bit when Fall
practice begins?”

Patrick Stevens: “My guess is Goree, almost by default. Both Kearse and Rowson are backing up Tate, who probably will be on the field as much as anyone this season. Goree is the lone scholarship player left over from spring practice to back up both Hartsfield and Drakeford (though help in the recruiting class is on the way).”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Three Offensive Line players (Pete DeSouza, Justin Lewis,and Justin Gilbert) are attempting to work back from injury. Even without them, the O-line appears deeper and more talented than in recent years. De’Onte Arnett was converted from DE to LG, has he progressed? Pete White was a highly regarded recruit, but is still not expected to start as he heads to his Sophomore year (’09 Redshirt). What do you think about White?”

Patrick Stevens: “I think Arnett, who drew praise for his work ethic while making the transition from defensive line to offensive line last season, is probably still adjusting to the position. Edsall didn’t mention him much throughout the spring. Of course, he’s playing behind Andrew Gonnella, who appears to be entrenched at left guard for this season. As for White, he shares a position with an incumbent starter (Justin Lewis) and a former walk-on awarded a scholarship before last season (Josh Cary). He still has three years to make an impact, and it’s a little too soon to start wondering why he’s not on the field. In an ideal world — one rarely in play in College Park — offensive linemen would rarely crack the starting lineup until their junior seasons, anyway.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Devonte Campbell was a SuperPrep All-American, and
Rivals.com ranked him 9th nationally among Prep players in ’07. How would you
compare and contrast him with the starting TE Matt Furstenburg?”

Patrick Stevens: “One big difference: Furstenburg stayed healthy last year and Campbell didn’t, which probably created some separation for the two. Furstenburg remains a reliable receiver and blocker, while Campbell’s athleticism makes him an intriguing possible mismatch if he can remain on the field.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Even with Scott gone to the NFL, and Douglas leaving the
program; RB appears in good shape with Meggett, and Adams. If additional backs are
needed, are Jeremiah Wilson and Justus Pickett the next in-line?”

Patrick Stevens: “That sounds about right, though it’ll probably take an injury to Meggett or Adams before we see a lot of the tailbacks behind them outside of a garbage time setting. Wilson’s a converted defensive back and Pickett will be a true freshman, so it’s anyone’s guess how effective either will be if thrust into the lineup. An offensive line that brings back four starters, though, will surely help all of Maryland’s running backs.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Maryland has to replace a lot of catches and experience
with their receivers, but plenty of athletic talent returns. In particular, I am looking
forward to seeing Dorsey, Boykins, and Coxson emerge. How do you see the receivers as
a whole?”

Patrick Stevens: “Maryland’s wideout position is sort of weird. It clearly lost its most effective player in Torrey Smith, and a solid complement in Adrian Cannon. It’s easy to look at that and say the Terps could have problems, yet Danny O’Brien so effectively spread the ball around most of the time (well, besides the N.C. State game) that a fair number of returning guys have at least played meaningful snaps. Dorsey’s a guy who possesses a lot of promise, as he has since he arrived, and Boykins seems like he’ll be a rock-solid option out of the slot. Don’t forget about Quintin McCree, who could emerge as a favored target as well this season. As for Coxson, he came out of the spring listed as a co-backup with Devin Burns. Having not seen him play in anything beyond the spring game, it’s tough to offer an adequate assessment of the guy.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Zach Kerr is gone, but I like the look of the Defensive
line. The hope is Mackall can get to QB’s from the DE position. Vellano is appearing on
pre-season 1st team All-ACC lists. Productive/talented players like Anderson, Francis,
Hampton, and Ross are slated to be reserves. Do you expect Freshman Quinton Jefferson,
and Keith Bowers to Red Shirt?”

Patrick Stevens: “Barring injuries and based on the existing depth, I wouldn’t expect to see either of those guys play. But realistically, it’s hard to get a real gauge on most recruits until they arrive on campus, so it shouldn’t be considered an impossible scenario, either.”