Football practice began Monday evening in College Park as Maryland aims for its first Atlantic Division title since the ACC realigned. Offensively the team cooled off once it entered ACC play in 2008--despite scoring 35 and 51 points in back to back weeks against Cal and Eastern Michigan...the Terps averaged just 16 points a game in conference action...if they're to be a contender instead of a pretender this November, the Terrapin offense can't be sluggish.
POSITIVES: talent at skill positions... look no further than running back Da'Rel Scott (1133 yards and 8 touchdowns rushing, 5.4 yards a carry)--while coach Ralph Friedgen has a change of pace back in Davin Meggett (457 yards on 5.1 yards per pop). Wide receivers Torrey Smith and Ronnie Tyler look to build off solid seasons while tight end Lansford Watson has been voted preseason all-ACC (tight ends are to College Park what linebackers are to Happy Valley). Tying it all together is senior quarterback Chris Turner--who's the first clear-cut #1 signalcaller entering camp since the days of Scott McBrien.
QUESTIONS: An inexperienced offensive line: just one player returns to the position he started in last year...left tackle Bruce Campbell. Right guard Phil Costa moves over to center--( a shift that mirrors Terrapin grad Edwin Williams with the Redskins...the Md center's playing both guard positions in training camp) while the other three spots are up for grabs. Just as a great offensive line can maximize mediocre skill players...a porous line can minimize talented backs and receivers.
COMING UP NEXT ON THE TERRAPIN TRAIL--A DIFFERENT DEFENSE...
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