The University of Maryland has a lot of skill position talent, that is going to be wasted if the offensive-line can not improve.
The best pro-prospect is Bruce Campbell at LT, who reminds some Terp fans of Raven LT J. Gaither. Campbell suffered a turf-toe in the Cal game, and that is not an easy injury to recover from. Assuming he is able to stay in the lineup, you can expect him to be at-least solid most games.
Campbell:
http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/campbell_bruce00.html
http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=8&c=1&nid=1837806
http://maryland.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=56510
Next to him at LG is Lamar Young. 6’4, 320 lb Sophomore that is in his 3rd year in the program. Does not have a lot of playing experience, but his familiarity with the program should help. Being able to be in-between Campbell, and Costa should help as well.
Young:
http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/young_lamar00.html
http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=8&c=1&nid=2670005
http://maryland.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=45721
Phil Costa at Center has some limitations, but he is not going to hurt you either.
Costa:
http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/costa_phil00.html
http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=8&c=1&nid=1201152
http://maryland.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=27338
This means, when you talk about improving the Terp offensive-line, you are talking about RG, and RT.
In the opener, MD started Andrew Gonnella, and Paul Pinegar on the right-side. You have to respect both players for starting as non-scholarship players, and working up the depth chart to become starters.
While I respect what they have accomplished, I think they need to be replaced as starters. If they can come in to games and help a few snaps a game, that is a bonus. Playing them as starters will just expose them.
Of course Coach Friedgen and Coach Franklin are aware of this. They decided to start Gonnella, and Pinegar, because they deemed them the best alternative. So knowing that, I certainly understand what that indirectly says about the players that could replace them.
Ideally at RT, it would be Tyler Bowen. Unfortunately Bowen continues to battle foot-injuries.
Until (if) Bowen can return, I think the Terps need to go with Red-shirt Freshman RJ Dill at RT.
Dill does not have the experience of Pinegar, but at 6’7, 320 lbs he has physical-skills that can not be taught.
Dill:
http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dill_rj00.html
http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=8&c=1&nid=2683763
http://maryland.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=58733
At RG, my preference would be to go with true-Freshman Pete White.
White was regarded as one of the nation’s top OG prospects in the 2009 class:
White:
http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=8&c=1&nid=3473701
http://maryland.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=63706
In the opening game vs. Cal, MD used 4 true-freshman, so burning his Red-shirt should not totally be out of the question, especially if he is going to get extensive playing-time.
If you are not willing to burn White’s Red-shirt, than I would go with Red-shirt Freshman Justin Lewis.
Lewis:
http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/lewis_justin00.html
http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=8&c=1&nid=3029478
http://maryland.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=63132
MD has games the next two-weeks vs. James Madison, and Middle Tennessee at-home. I know that James Madison is a Top 10 FCS (1AA) team, and that their conference foe Richmond just beat Duke Saturday. I know that Middle Tennessee just beat MD last-year, and that after playing at Clemson in their opener; will not be intimidated coming to College Park.
Still, MD has no business losing to either team. Make the changes on the offensive-line now, and let these players get two games of experience, and be better prepared to face Rutgers on September 26th.
Beyond shifting some of these bodies, the Terps will have to address their offensive philosophy.
You either spread the field with 4 and 5 receivers, with the idea of pulling defenders out of the box; or you go to a max-protect scheme with 2 TE’s, and a FB.
Frankly, maybe the Terps need to consider using the Jumbo package the Baltimore Ravens often used last-year, with a 3rd Offensive-Tackle getting extended snaps.
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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.