Turtledroppings.com – Maryland Football And Basketball Blog

The Terps football team is a little less than two weeks away from their bowl game in Boise, Idaho. However it’s never to early to speculate on next season’s team.  The Terps will be losing 30 seniors and most likely Hey Bey to the NFL draft.  If he’s going to be a first round pick he has got to go.  I won’t be mad at him.  But, the Terps will still have Turner, who will be an experienced senior at QB.  They will have Scott and Meggett, who played well this year, at running back.  They will also have Portis as the backup and possibly “wildcat” QB.  Unfortunately or fortunately the offensive line will have new faces.  The defense will also have a new general and many new faces as well.  The defense will probably be the real wild card next year.  Friedgen must decide if he’s going to bring in a new coordinator or promote the “Seamonster”.  I believe even with young guys our defense will be improved next year.  We always seem to reload at corner and linebacker.  What we really need is some lineman who can get pressure on the quarterback. 

I think Franklin and his offense should run a bit smoother next year.  He and Turner have another summer to work out the kinks.  I know the offense was very stagnant at times but I believe in Franklin and I hope he proves a lot of his critics wrong next year. 

Maryland also lost the special teams coach.  “Teams” didn’t really impress me much this year.  We didn’t have a touchdown return this season and Obi really fell apart down the stretch.  The lone bright spot is Travis Baltz.  He is looking as good as Bernard and Podlesh the more he plays.  Maybe instead of LB U. and QB U. we should be Punter U. 

Lastly I want to talk about coach Friedgen.  A lot of fans have been calling for Debbie Yow to fire the Fridge the past two seasons.  I’m not one of those people.  I remember the days of Duff and Vandy and I can say we are now much better off.  Look at the improvement in the fanbase and the facilities.  MGN and the Terrapin Club are growing each year.  Fridge started Terrapin Alley and breakfast with the Fridge.  I know I enjoy going to the signing day event each February.  If you want Friedgen out, who do you think is going to replace him?  Is Yow going to bring in Bob Stoops or Urban Meyer?  No.  Will she get Jeff Fisher or Tony Dungey?  No.  Do you want Mike Tice?  I don’t.  I’m happy with what Friedgen has been able to accomplish here at Maryland.  Of course I want more ACC Championships and better bowl games but I just don’t see anyone else coming in and making a huge impact overnight.  Be careful what you wish for.  Go and ask an Auburn Tiger fan how they feel about their teams chances next year.   Their athletic director has created a mess and should probably be fired himself.  Maybe Fridge can get Tuberville up to College Park to help out with the defense.  Just my 2 cents.  Now, back to bowl talk.  Go Terps!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 11:53 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.