Turtledroppings.com – Maryland Football And Basketball Blog

There is no secret, the offensive line play will have to improve for Maryland to be successful, or at least improved over last season.  One thing that will help the line, or in theory, should help is the fact the Terps have a talented backfield, and mobile quarterback.  I am not taking anything away from Chris Tuner, because he took lick after lick last season, but he was a pocket passer, and that meant the line had to really try and focus on blocking, and they didn’t do a great job of it.

Fast forward to 2010.  You would think a year under their belt, and they might be able to build on somethings.  Well that isn’t necessarily the case.  Gone from last years line is Lamar Young (academics), Bruce Campbell (NFL), and center Phil Costa (Graduation).  There are two players on that list that could have been helpful this year (Campbell, and Young), that Maryland will have to replace.  It is becoming a broken record, but again Maryland will need the line to gel quickly.

Enough, about what they don’t have, lets look at what we are going to have.  Taking over at center this year is Senior Paul Pinegar.  The former walk-on moves to center for the first time of his career.  Though he is new at center, he has played in 24 games, and has 12 starts, and that is the most of any Terp lineman.

Sophomore Justin Gilbert will begin camp as the starter at left tackle.  He will be responsible for guarding Jamar Robinson’s blind side.  As a redshirt freshman last season he did get into 11 games as a reserve.  I guess you could call that a bright side after all the injuries last season.  Needless to say Gilbert’s role will be much more important this year, and he is needed to step up big time.

Left guard will be manned by junior Andrew Gonella.  He started last year at right guard, and does have some experience at left guard.  He has 8 career starts and has played in 12 games.  Gonella, has the size at 6-5 305 lbs to play the position.  During the spring he earned Iron Terp status, so he also has the strength.  The question will be can he put it all together now that he is one of the more experienced members of the line?

A pair of sophomores, Bennett Fulper, and Justin Lewis, will be competing this summer to start the season as the right guard.  Fulper was forced into action as a true freshman last season, starting in 4 games.  He played three at left guard, and one at right guard.  Lewis played in 9 games as a redshirt freshman, mostly at right guard.  He was slowed during the spring coming off a knee surgery.  Though the right guard spot is up for grabs, both players are young, versatile, and have some experience despite being so young.  The way last season played out, you are going to see a lot of both of these players.

Yet another sophomore, R.J. Dill, will begin summer camp as the starter.  Dill played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman, starting eight.  The line did improve a bit toward the end of the season, and Dill was a part of that starting the last five.

If you think the starters are a young bunch, the reserves are a bunch of freshman and true freshman.  A pair of Pete’s are a bright spot for the future, and hopefully can be eased into the mix this season.  Pete Desouza and Pete White are going to play this year, and many years in the future.

I didn’t really tell you anything we didn’t know after last season.  The line is going to be important.  The line is young, and has limited experience.  The line is going to be a key in an improved offense this season.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at 9:00 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.