Terps in the NFL

The Baltimore Sun did an excellent job of running down some of the recent football Terps and their where abouts this training camp. The only Terp to be drafted this year was Dre Moore, who went to Tampa Bay. Here are some of the highlights of the article:

-According to Scout.com, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden thinks defensive tackle Dre Moore -- Maryland's lone draft choice -- has a ways to go before making an impact:It was obvious, though, that Gruden thought fourth-round pick Dre Moore, a defensive tackle out of Maryland, was behind the rest of the class."You know, this is not a game where you want to do too much thinking at that position," Gruden said. "You've got to get off the ball, you've got to be disruptive, and he is getting better. I think he's getting in better shape. The tempo and the speed of this game is probably a little bit foreign to him but he does have talent."

- Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that an injury to backup linebacker Heath Farwell will open the door for Erin Henderson to receive more playing time.Childress said Henderson, the undrafted free agent, will get more reps in practice. Henderson has shown flashes in camp and had a solid debut Friday with five tackles.

- An injury to Green Bay Packers backup tight end Tory Humphrey could pave the way for Joey Haynos to claim the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that Haynos' speed and blocking have impressed Packers coaches:Haynos is extraordinarily long-levered at 6-8, 268 pounds. He primarily worked as a blocker and possession receiver at Maryland, where he had 67 receptions for 687 yards and three touchdowns over his last two seasons. McAdoo said Haynos is the most fundamentally sound blocker among the rookie tight ends, and in training camp, Haynos has shown an ability to get downfield, too.

You can read the rest of the article here . A highly recommended read!

BONUS CUTS:
- SI.com has its ACC preview up, the Terps are predicted to finish 3rd in the Atlantic at 4-4 in ACC play
-They also pegged Darrius Heyward-Bey as the 5th most outstanding player in the ACC

Terps' Burning Questions

Heather Dinich, who covers the ACC on ESPN.com with a very up to date blog, answers three burning questions about the Terps heading into the 2008 season.

"1. How will the ongoing battle at quarterback affect the team chemistry?
This is a similar situation to what's going on at Virginia Tech, and who knows, maybe Friedgen will play both Jordan Steffy and Chris Turner in situations that play to each of their strengths. Regardless of what happens, they both have reason to believe it's their job. Steffy looked legitimately good this spring, but Turner proved he was more than capable last year when Steffy suffered a concussion.

2. How much more productive will the offense be under first-year coordinator James Franklin?
This was a smart hire because Franklin recruited half the players he's now coaching, and his addition to the staff allows Friedgen the luxury of being the head coach without having to worry about calling the plays. Look for Franklin to throw more deep balls this season and for receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to catch them.

3. How important is this season for Friedgen?
Maryland has had three losing seasons in the past four years. No wonder the local media isn't chipping at the lock on the gate to see spring practice. In 2006, the Terps beat Purdue in the Champs Sports Bowl, but that was their lone bowl win since the 2003 Gator Bowl. The athletic department is heavily invested in stadium renovation and trying to sell luxury suites. Somehow, though, (namely a sweet contract and a metro audience where the Ravens, Redskins, Orioles and Nats divert some of the attention) Friedgen has escaped the hot seat. "

Heather was a guest on the Steak, Crab, & Curry Show last Spring and the interview can be heard on our podcast. The podcast is available for download on iTunes.

You can also read the ACC Blog by Heather here.

**Also, on the blog, Heather broke down the power rankings of the ACC:

The Terps were ranked 4th with the description "The Terps could be this year's darkhorse, as Ralph Friedgen made a smart off-season hire in offensive coordinator James Franklin and has playmakers with the potential to flourish in the West Coast offense. The key will be how he uses -- not appeases -- his quarterbacks."

Heyward-Bey Featured!

Terps' wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is starting to gain some serious attention as a stud wide-out in the ACC this season. The redshirt junior's numbers have grown in each season and he is poised for another big season.

The Washington Post staff writer, Steve Yanda, did a great job of praising and preaching the talents of Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey talked about the adjustments he had to make going from high school to college Division-I ball,

"the transition was a struggle. In high school, the routine had been simple -- sprint off the line, blow past the secondary, catch the deep throw, accelerate toward the end zone."

You can read the full article here.

Terps Open Up Football Season

Tomorrow, Monday, the Terps will open up the preseason camp at 4:15 EST PM. The Terps will embark on a 3-way grueling schedule that will lead up to the home opener against Delaware on August 30th.

The Terps will first and foremost need to take care of the QB issue. Who will start week 1, Jordan Steffy or Chris Turner? Or perhaps Josh Portis??

The Terps seem to be set on using Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green at running back to split the duties and will have All-ACC candidate Darrius Heyward-Bey to anchor the passing game. An experienced offensive line will return to protect whoever the quarterback may be. It will also be interesting to see how the addition of offensive coordinator James Franklin will factor into the attack.

Here are some preseason predictions and accolades that UMTerps.com has gathered:

Maryland Preseason Rankings/Honors
Team
National Rankings:
34th...Lindy's
42nd...Athlon

ACC Predictions:
4th/Atlantic...Athlon
4th/Atlantic...Lindy's
5th/Atlantic...Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA)
6th/Atlantic...The Sporting News

Unit Rankings:
1st-ranked OL in the ACC...Athlon
1st-ranked OL in the ACC...Lindy's
2nd-ranked Special Teams in the ACC...Lindy's
4th-ranked LBs in the ACC...Athlon

Individual
Scott Burley, #77, Offensive Lineman
Honorable Mention All-America...The Sporting News
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's

Darrius Heyward-Bey, #8, Wide Receiver
Honorable Mention All-America...The Sporting News
Fastest Receiver in ACC...The Sporting News
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon• Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's
16th-ranked WR in Nation...Lindy's

Dave Philistin, #34, Linebacker
Nagurski Trophy watch list
Butkus Award Candidate...The Sporting News
First Team All-ACC...The Sporting News
First Team All-ACC...Blue Ribbon Yearbook
First Team All-ACC...Lindy's
11th-ranked ILB in Nation...Lindy's
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon

Jaimie Thomas, #76, Offensive Lineman
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's

Edwin Williams, #60, Offensive Lineman
Rimington Trophy watch list
Preseason All-ACC...Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA)
All-ACC...The Sporting News
First Team All-ACC...Lindy's
First Team All-ACC...Blue Ribbon Yearbook
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon