169 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

IMS: Notes: Players Emerging at OL and DB, Funk Impressing Early
http://maryland.247s...-Early-44550859

Nothing too surprising, but certainly good to hear. Excited to see Moore, Edsall's staff always raved about him in practice, he'll finally get a shot to start after being stuck behind Mulrooney. Also excited to see what Woods and Conyers to do at safety. The last time the Terps had to replace both starting safeties was 2012 when Anthony Nixon and Sean Davis replaced Eric Franklin and Matt Robinson (who moved to OLB). That turned out pretty well, hopefully 2016 is the same.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Scott Shafer has stepped down as the team's Defensive Coordinator for "personal reasons". It's assumed that Mike London will be promoted to fill that role, but they may need to find a new Defensive Line Coach if London doesn't keep that position.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Scott Shafer has stepped down as the team's Defensive Coordinator for "personal reasons". It's assumed that Mike London will be promoted to fill that role, but they may need to find a new Defensive Line Coach if London doesn't keep that position.

 

That's a blow. Certainly disappointing.   Odd.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Yeah that sucks. Liked the hire. Durkin brought in a lot of personalities to his staff... hope it isn't anything like that. Hate to speculate but it is just odd timing and of course vague reasoning provided.

[BSLMikeLowe]

I take it this has nothing to do with today's date? If not, then this marks the second straight time a new coach has hired a DC and seen him depart before a single game is played. I have a lot more confidence in Durkin to find a suitable replacement, even if he just does the job himself, than I did Edsall's choice of Todd Bradford *shudders*.

[Pedro Cerrano]

It's on Testudo Times and there was a press release, so I doubt this is a dumb Pedro-style April Fool's joke.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Caleb Rowe: "Thoughts and prayers for Coach Shafer! Once a Terp always a Terp!"

 

Sounds pretty serious, hope all is well with him and his family.

 

London is more than capable of stepping into the DC role, he may even keep coaching the DL.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Testudo Times: Maryland football expected to hire Kentucky's Andy Buh as defensive coordinator, per reports

 

Curious choice. Never heard of him until now. I guess it's a case of Durkin taking care of an old buddy.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Testudo Times: Perry Hills appears to be Maryland football's top quarterback on spring practice depth chart

http://www.testudoti...ice-depth-chart

 

Testudo Times has compiled an unofficial depth chart based on their three practice viewings. It's not too different from my projected one (which will be updated soon). Some things to note:

 

• Unsurprisingly, Perry Hills is the overwhelming choice to start the year at QB.
• Avery Edwards is getting more 1st-team reps at TE than Andrew Isaacs. I'd expect them to split time at the position.
• Shane Cockerille is getting a good number of reps at OLB, but that may be more to see how he fits at the position than his position on the depth chart.
• It looks like Jarrett Ross has moved from CB to S.

 

We should get a much clearer picture of the depth chart during the Spring Game next Saturday.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Post: New defensive coordinator Andy Buh has strong ties to DJ Durkin, few to Maryland

[BSLZackKiesel]

InsideMDSports: Schedule Change: Maryland Football to Play on a Friday

http://maryland.247s...Friday-44668590

 

The Terps' road game against FIU this season has been moved to Friday, September 9th.

[BSLMikeLowe]

That should be good news for those who want to watch the game. The switch means the game should end up on one of the ESPN broadcast networks since there is only 1 other game scheduled that night. If it was played Saturday there would be a much greater likelihood it would have been relegated to the standard-definition, crap-quality stream of ESPN3.

 

EDIT: Scratch that....forgot that Conference USA doesn't have a deal with ESPN, only Fox Sports and CBS. So this game will either be on Fox Sports 1 (hopefully) or CBS Sports Network (ugh).

[BSLChrisStoner]

IMS: Spring Practice Round-Up: Position Battles
http://maryland.247s...ferer=CBSSPORTS

[BSLMikeLowe]

Testudo Times: Maryland football has one of the easiest schedules in the country this season

 

Basically, if the projections are accurate, they have 5 very winnable games this season. Pull out a win against Indiana or Minnesota, who are projected to be better than MD, but not much better, and the Terps could go bowling. The exposure and those extra practices would be great headed into 2017.

 

An interesting note from this article: According to Football Outsiders' S&P+ rankings, the Terps played the toughest schedule in the country last season.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Baltimore Sun: Hills, Rowe to split reps in Maryland spring game; competition to continue in fall

http://www.baltimore...0415-story.html

 

Weather looks great for tomorrow, low-70s and sunny. For those who won't be on campus for the game, it'll be broadcast on BTN2Go (and also available there for replay after the game).

[Mike in STL]

Heard yesterday that the recruits Durkin has brought in have improved the class from 68th in the nation to 22nd. I like it. 

[BSLZackKiesel]

InsideMDSports: Abner Logan Leaves Maryland Football Program

http://maryland.247s...rogram-45121726

 

Well that was unexpected. I guess Shane Cockerille will be starting at LB after all.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Zack, lots of of numbers in the Secondary, when you factor the incoming Freshman.  See any Safety types that could be moved up to OLB?

[BSLZackKiesel]

Zack, lots of of numbers in the Secondary, when you factor the incoming Freshman.  See any Safety types that could be moved up to OLB?

Denzel Conyers is the obvious choice, since he played some LB when he first arrived. Elvis Dennah is another one who could possibly make that move.

 

However, I think the more likely result is that the defense plays a lot more Nickel (and Dime) packages. Going down the schedule, they'll face spread offenses in half of their games this season, meaning they'll only need a 3rd linebacker in half of their games. What you may see happen is the defense move to a more 4-2-5/3-3-5 look, with the third defensive back serving as a linebacker/corner/safety type (Conyers is perfect for this role).

[You Play to Win the Game]

Any word on why Logan has left?