With ACC Media Day going on, it is time to get moving on taking a look the Maryland Football team.  I am going to start with the special teams for a couple of reasons.  One, they are the unit with the most locked in players, and secondly, they are one of the smaller units, and I have a lot going on tonight.

So lets first start with the kickers.  We here at Turtledroppings have always felt the kickers are the heart and soul of the team.  Well, not really, but Nick “Das Boot” Novack was one of our favorite Terps of all time.  So lets look no further than place kicker to get this seasons previews going.

Nick Ferrera , now a sophomore, will be the starting kicker, as he was last year.  Hopefully, he doesn’t have to fill in as the starting punter as well, like last year.  If we focus on the kicking, as a freshman, I think all of us fans are truly looking forward to watching his career for the next three years.  During his first season for Maryland he hit 18-25 fg’s including a career long of 50 yards.  He was also 25-25 on extra point attempts.  That was enough to garner his some Freshman All-American awards.  If that wasn’t enough, as previously mentioned, he also filled in for an injured Travis Baltz.  During his punting duties he averaged 39.8 yds per punt, and had three downed inside the 10.  Considering he was a freshman filling in, those numbers were nothing to sneeze at.  Mike Barbour will back up Ferrera on the place kicking, and kick off duties.

Back to punting, Travis Baltz returns from a broken finger (the second of two injuries for Travis last season).  While he is healthy, he is one of the conferences top punters averaging 40.7 per punt last season, and 40.9 for his career.  As a senior, I think we can expect the same quality punting we have seen over the previous three seasons.

See how easy the special teams are?  Now we get to look at kick returners, and Maryland has the top in the ACC with Torey Smith.  He had over 1300 yards last season averaging 25 yards per game while scoring two touch downs.  When your offense is ineffective, your special teams can get things going.  With Torey Smith back there, there is always a threat for a big play.  Expect to see more of the same this year, and this year only.  Smith is on pace to graduate this December, and he has already looked to get a grade from the NFL scouts.

The one possible question on special teams could be punt returner.  Likely,the position belongs to Tony Logan, who manned the position most of last year.  Redshirt freshman Dexter McDougle impressed during the spring at both punt returner and kick returner.  If Logan has any trouble catching the ball McDougle would be the first to step in.  McDougle is likely to get some touches on kick off when, not if, the opposing team tries to keep the ball away from Smith.

So there you have it a quick look at who is going to be handling the special team jobs for the Terps.  One thing the  Maryland Football program has had under Friedgen is quality special teams, and with so many players back at these positions, this, along with linebackers, may be the easiest unit to preview.  Be sure to keep checking in as we work our way through the entire Maryland Football Depth Chart.

When it comes to assistant coaches in basketball, you never really know the importance.  Sure they help in the day to day things in practice, but when it comes down to a player picking a school, does the assistant really help?  Well, if they do, Maryland might be in for some good things coming out of Baltimore in the near future.  The Baltimore Sun has a nice article on new assistant Bino Ranson.  He has some really good AAU ties in Charm City, and that can only help.  Does that mean we will have the Sun’s all City team as a starting line-up?  Not likely, but it greatly increase the odds of landing some of the top talent from Baltimore.  You have to think Keith Booth still has some clout up there, and now you are adding another reason for the coaches of Baltimore kids to get them in touch with Maryland.

All that said, it still comes down to the head coach sealing the deal.  I think Gary is doing a pretty good job at getting out there a little more than he did in the past, so things should be getting back to the way we remember them in Maryland.  That’s right NCAA tournaments and getting to the second weekend!

Again, Turtledroppings welcomes you aboard Dino, and from the looks of that AAU summer schedule you are going to watching, we like the way things are starting.   Now if we can land a couple of the studs from Baltimore, things should come together nicely.

Former Terp Greivis Vasquez played in his first Summer League game last night, and helped the Memphis Grizzlies to a 89-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks.  In his first game he played 17 minutes scoring 2 points on 1-3 shooting (0-2 from 3).  He did contribute 3 boards and 4 assist to go along with 3 turnovers in 17 minutes.  You can catch him again today at 8 pm on nba.com.

I would really expect him to bounce back with a much better performance today. That is just a gut feeling I have.

With the NBA draft coming on Thursday night, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look around and see where Greivis Vasquez is projected to go.  All summer long he looked to be a long shot for the first round, and most mock drafts had him pegged for the middle to late second round.  I am sure I am a bit biased, and I watched him 900% more than any other point guard in America, but if I was a team with a need for a back up point guard, I would be all over Mr. Vasquez.  He is not going to wow anyone with his individual game.  We all know that.  Does the NBA look for players who can break down their defender off the dribble?  Absolutely.  Does that mean Vasquez can’t make it in the NBA?  Not at all, and anyone who wants to argue with me can try all they want.  I will take him on my team any day.  The guy loves to play, and totally appreciates the opportunity he has to play.  He does not take it for granted.

After doing a little scouring of Al Gore’s invention, it appears some teams may be starting to think the same thing about #21.  First of all, it has been reported that Vasquez has been invited to New York for the draft.  Speaking of NY, it appears the Knicks may have a little interest in Vasquez.  Coincidence?  Probably, but it would be pretty cool to see him go to the Knicks.  There are also some rumblings around Orlando, that the Magic are interested as well.

What does this tell me?  Not much.  I think he will get drafted, and depending on the situation, he may be lucky enough to find a team with a late first round pick that has a need at PG.  That would be ideal.  I would love to see him get the guaranteed three year deal first rounders get.  For all the enjoyment he gave me the last four years, I hope he gets the first round nod.

As for the NBA itself, I will be honest.  I think I watch more of the draft then I do the games.  I really am not into a team, and the games bore me for the most part.  But I do spin the dial to catch former Terps, and if Vasquez were to latch on somewhere, I would be sure to tune in for him.

Personally, I think he will have a nice career in the league as a backup.  I always thought Steve Blake would be the better in the NBA of Juan Dixon and himself.  He had a position, and was tough.  I think a lot of the same could be said for Vasquez.  I think Blake was and is a better defender, and 3 point shooter, but there are just certain guys that are players, and Vasquez (like Dixon) fits that mold.  So I guess you could say I see a little bit of both Juan and Blake in Vasquez, and to me, I think that is enough for him to catch on in the lig.

Wow, I can’t believe this is all happening.  I had heard the rumors and watched as they heated up day after day and now it looks like the College Football world (and all of college sports) is changing right before our very eyes.  Nebraska is going to the Big 10, Colorado is going to the Pac 10, and the Big 12 is now in it’s death roll trying to stop the hemorrhaging.  I’m not so sure it is going to happen.  Now to the casual observer, this sucks for the Big 12. Yes that is true, but the (what appears to be imminent) collapse of the Big 12 is going to leave shock waves that very well could reach College Park.

With the Pac 10 (why even put a # in your conference name anymore) going Big, and the Big 10 going to perhaps 16 teams, there is little doubt that the SEC is going to want to expand as well. And rumor are they will be eyeing the Sunshine State, the Peach State, and the Palmetto State (That means FSU, Miami, Georgia Tech, and Clemson for those who don’t know their state nicknames).  So where would that leave the ACC?  We’ll I hate to think about that.  At this point our 12 team conference would be 8, and would need 8 more schools to again be a player.  Where are we going to get 8 schools?  There will be nothing left of the Big East to take from (we could make a move for WVU, but then we’d only have 9 schools, great for a conference 20 years ago, not so much in 2010). 

So what are we as Terps fans to do?  I can speak for Turtledroppings when I say that we here are adamant about staying in the ACC.  I do not want to jump ship, no way, no how.  I can handle a road trip to Raleigh in late November, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or…wait for it, Nebraska at that time of year.  I also can’t stand Big 10 Football, it’s boring.  There I said it, it’s out.  I just can’t get into it.  I’d watch a Nevada-UNLV game before Indiana-Illinois.  Sure Michigan-Ohio State has some intrigue but if Braveheart is on TBS at that time, I’m pretty sure I’m only checking the score periodically. 

So where does that leave us?  Well I’m not sure.  I think for those of us who want to remain in the ACC, we need to hope that the dominoes stop falling.  We need the Big 12 to  hold on to Texas, somehow pull in some Mountain West Teams to maintain their numbers and then the SEC may be content remaining at 12.  But if this continues to fall apart, God only know where we will end up.  One thing I do know is that things are happening fast.  I have a lot more I’d like to say about the subject, but for now better wrap this up.  But make sure to check the site often as we watch what could be the end of how we used to watch College Football.

It looks as if the search for the third assistant coach on the Maryland Basketball staff is over.  Several Reports state Bino Ranson has stepped down from his position at Xavier and will be hired by Maryland today.  His coaching resume also has time at Marist and James Madison.  One note of particular interest is he was born in Baltimore, and while at Xavier, was responsible for recruiting the Maryland and DC area.  Before that, he set up an AAU team in Baltimore that included Juan Dixon.  Look for more on Bino, when the announcement is made official.

According to Matt Bracken at the Sun, the Terps have added the final piece to the incoming freshman class, by signing 6-10 Juco Center, Berend Weijs.  He will have two years of eligibility remaining after and will be available to play immediately.

There have been some rumblings around the message boards about a big on campus, and apparently they were true.  He comes to us from the Netherlands via, Harcum (PA) College.  He started every game, but averaged just over 20 minutes per game.  His game appears to be defense as he averaged 4 blocks per game, including 15 in one game.  I can’t imagine he will be a major contributor, but added depth down low, is never a bad thing.  Welcome aboard, Berend!

This time of the college sports season is tough to come up with news worthy post, but there is one topic floating around out there that won’t go away.  Talk of Maryland to the Big 10(11) when they expand, which seems very likely, won’t go away, and here Andy Katz mentions Maryland.  It has been mentioned in Sports Illustrated and in several message boards.  The thing is, other than MONEY, why on earth would Maryland want to go to the Big 10.  Let’s be honest, it is money that drives the bus, and football is the co-pilot.

Let’s take a look at this from a fans perspective using football first, since it does drive the bus as I alluded to earlier.  What is nice about playing in the ACC is the occasional football road trip into the Carolina’s or even further south into Georgia or Florida, where you can extend the warmer weather a little longer.   I will use Philip Rivers’ senior day as example number one.   That’s right, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving, and we all took to the highways a day early to squeeze in a round of golf before the tailgate and game the next day.  We wore shorts, got sunburn, and had a memory that none of us will soon forget.  It was the perfect weekend.  Now let’s take a look at the Big 10.  It’s southern most school is PSU.  Not exactly a place you want to go to extend the summer!  Plus it is even starting to get a little higher in elevation there.  That is the best of the scenario’s.   Northwestern?  Chicago is nice, but let’s not kid ourselves.   We want to be there in the summer.  Minnesota?  One Final Four, and one Wedding of a cousin, where it snowed on thanksgiving.  I have seen enough of Minnesota.  Michigan?  I guess it would be cool to see a game in the Big House, But please let that be in August.

From a football perspective, you could argue Maryland doesn’t have the great rivalries, but it does have a decent tradition in the ACC, and I would like to see it continue.  Now, I don’t think anyone out there would argue the ACC butters it’s bread with basketball.  Even after the ACC expanded, it is obvious basketball reigns supreme.  Think about what we would lose.  Rivalries, are aplenty.  Can you picture a season where we don’t get to play Duke?  There is no denying, that is THE game on the Maryland home slate year in and year out.  Think of Comcast and Cole, and all the great game day atmosphere’s.  They were almost all against Duke and North Carolina.  The ACC thinks so much of the Maryland and Duke Rivalry, that they set up our schedule to ensure we play them every year, twice.  Sure Carolina is their rival, but let’s not kid anyone.  There have been some great Maryland Duke games over the last 15 years or so.  It’s not just Duke.  When you have been a part of something as long as Maryland has been a part of the ACC (does the Term Founding Member mean anything?), you have reasons to dislike all the other schools.  Familiarity is what makes it so great.  It is what makes it special.

While it is a honor to be mentioned in all these expansion articles that come up, I prefer to stay where we are.  Sure the Big 10 has a pretty good academic reputation, but so does the ACC.  Geographically, it doesn’t make much difference.  You go from being one of the northern most schools, to one of the southern most, but still, it does not put you in the heart of Big 10 country.  So for all these people floating Maryland out there as a possibility, I beg you to stop.  I am happy where I am, and I bet 100% of the responses I get will say the same.  So Debbie Yow, and Dr. Mote, or your soon to be replacement, please consider this before doing something you will regret.

Though the late signing period for basketball has yet to pass, the Terps seem to be looking at a top  25 class in 2010.  In fact ESPN is putting them just outside the top 20.  Twenty First to be exact.  The Terps will be bringing in 5 kids this fall (maybe more since one scholarship is still available).  Shooting Guard Pe’Shon Howard from Wytheville, VA.  Haukur Palsson is a small forward from Montverde, FL.  Ashton Pankey is a Power Forward from Bronx, NY.  Mycahl Parker is a shooting guard from Washington, NC.  And Terrell Stoglin a Point Guard from Tucson, AZ.

Stoglin of course will be a key player considering both Vasquez and Hayes will no longer be allowed to play the point at Maryland next year, per NCAA Eligibility Rules.  What is most interesting to me is the fact that there are no Marylanders on this list.  Not sure how to interpret that, pulling kids as far away as Arizona and Florida is cool, but losing games to Clemson, Florida State, and Virginia Tech at the hands of a kid from either Baltimore or Prince George’s County, isn’t so cool.

Regardless the Terps have a top 25 class.  I’d prefer higher, but anything in the top 25 is good.  Let’s face it, recruiting is such an inexact science, and basketball recruiting is so cyclical, that these rankings don’t mean that much.  But for the national media to give you a thumbs up by placing your class in the top 25, that at least means you are heading in the right direction. 

Of course the Terps aren’t the only ACC school in the top 25: UNC (2), Duke (5),  Wake Forest (8), Florida State (12), NC State (14), and UVA (22) also had good recruiting seasons, which pretty much means don’t count on seeing many rollover games in the ACC anytime soon.  Though that may make for some tough competition, as fans who get to watch the ACC day in and day out from January to April every year, that’s good news. 

So there you have it, 5 fresh faces coming into College Park next year.  Who knows what we’ll be writing about them over the next 4 years, but as of today, the sky is the limit.

Walk-on David Pearman is transferring to Salisbury University in search of playing time.  I can’t say that I blame him.  He has been a tremendous asset to the team, but at some point as a player you have to want to get on the court and play.  He was a part of two tournament teams, so he had a nice experience as a Terp.  Now it is time to play a little.  Over his career at Maryland he scored 7 points in 22 games, and added 5 rebounds.  Not exactly a guy they will miss on game day, but he certainly seemed to be a great teammate when you saw him on the bench, or on any behind the scenes programs about the Terps.

As a guy who was an 11th man on my high school basketball team, I always have a soft spot for the Donnie Judd’s, Andre Collins’ and Dave Pearman’s of the world.  You work hard in practice hoping for a rout so you can get in and play.  For me I enjoyed practice because playing in a gym in December and January beat playing outside in a driveway or a park, but it does get old not getting serious burn.

So best of luck to you David, and we will try to keep tabs on him so every one knows how he is doing for the Gulls.