Terps Defense Has Stellar First Scrimmage
When you scrimmage yourself, there is always two ways to look at things. All the headlines yesterday were about how good the defense was, and for a second you get very excited. Then you realize they are playing the Terps offense and you begin to get concerned. Now, it is after all a scrimmage and Coach Friedgen and his staff are really experimenting with different players in new roles, so you have to take it all with a grain of salt. That being said, I am excited to see the defense making a lot of plays in the backfield, and I am a little concerned that the offensive line allowed that to happen as often as it did.
One key component of the offensive line is Phil Costa, and he did not participate in the scrimmage at all in an attempt to get some game like action for his backups. Similar situation with the Terps starting QB, Chris Turner. He participated in only three series.
With two veterans of the offense out, the defense made the most of their opportunities by recording 15 tackles for a loss, with 12 of them being sacks (see my reason for concern). Obum Akunyili and Derek Drummond recorded two sacks a piece.
Kenny Tate continues to impress at safety recording 5 tackles, a sack, and an interception. I feel he is a player that is really going to excel under Terps new Defensive Coordinator, Don Browns, scheme. He has the speed to get up to the line of scrimmage to make stops on runs, the ability to get into the back field and get sacks as well, and he seems to have a nose for the football and has the hands to make the interception. I am really looking forward to seeing him this year.
Of the 19 possessions, the offense was only able to score on three of those drives. The defense also recorded one safety on the day.
One position that appears to be wide open is place kicker. After the majority of the day yesterday, it appeared Mike Barbour had a chance to take the position, but in a goal line series, he missed a 26 yard kick, that left the door open for the job.
Caleb Porzel and D.J. Adams were both singled out by Friedgen for having impressed him again. That is about the only thing you will hear that had a favorable tone concerning the running game. It is mentioned again that the passing game is ahead of the running game, mostly due to the run blocking of the offensive line.
One final note, Travis Baltz blasted a 78 yard punt. Even with a return of 20 yards, the net 58 was still impressive. Mr. Baltz keep that leg fresh, you may need to use it quite a bit this year.
Well there you have it, some quick notes from the Terps first scrimmage of the season. Take out of it what you will, and look for some of the starters to get some more reps in the next scrimmage.
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