i went to a different site to post my picks this year. nice place. http://www.offshorebettor.com/ love to have trk back he did a fine job last year. top that with class.
silver goblin
silver goblin
Any confirmed status on McBrien or Perry? I saw something on the ESPN ticker about McBrien tonight but missed the detail, and I am pretty sure Perry is out but will confirm that before game.
Maryland traditionally a slow starter. Not sold 100% on this early road game. They should win by two touchdowns though.
I am pulling for MD, but might lay off the game.
Good Luck to ya this week, and this season.
It's a new year!
Maryland traditionally a slow starter. Not sold 100% on this early road game. They should win by two touchdowns though.
I am pulling for MD, but might lay off the game.
Good Luck to ya this week, and this season.
It's a new year!
Panther
Any questions that you may have on Terp football,shoot the my way at Farmstore@earthlink.net
BTW Terps should role this team as their offense is clicking on all cyclinders. @ reasons for concern
1)Terp O-line is a little dinged up and lacks depth
2)NIU is treating this agme like the super Bowl.
Terps offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe took time this week to rate the Terps offense following August camp.
Taaffe likes where the Terps are with the exception of, obviously, injuries and depth on the offensive line.
QB Scott McBrien was the Terps top performer in camp, while RB Sam Maldonado was the biggest surprise. Latrez Harrison and Jafar Williams had fine camps and locked up the starting receiver spots, while TE Jeff Dugan raised his level of play with the newcomers pressing. At running back, the Terps will go with Josh Allen and Maldonado until Bruce Perry heals. On the offensive line the Terps suffered their worst setback of camp, losing starting right guard Lamar Bryant for 4-6 weeks with a broken foot, and need either Akil Patterson or Ed Tyler to step up and seize the starting job. Neither has so far. Meanwhile, the Terps are still waiting for some of their other upperclassmen OLs to step up in key backup roles.
"I have been really pleased with our camp. We came back...the guys worked hard this summer, we had a little different format this pre-season, but I feel like we've made strides with the offense.
"The only real full-scrimmage format we had Sunday I thought we did some really good things, I thought we played with poise.
"One of our big things is percentage of error and keeping that no more than 12 percent. And over a 152-play scrimmage we were about 9 percentage of error. For a first scrimmage I was really pleased with that. I was pleased with the quarterback's decision-making.
"I think maybe our pass protection is a little ahead of our run blocking right now and we did a good job there, we threw the ball reasonably well in the first scrimmage. So, I think we have made good progress.
"Concerns, well those obviously are the un-controllable things. We've got four key guys on our offense injured. You know Bruce, he's probably going to miss the first game right now...and Steve Suter one of our best receivers. Our quarterback, obviously, I think we'll be okay but he's missing some work but should be back and ready to go. And of course Lamar Bryant on the offensive line where we don't have a lot of depth. That continues to be a concern and we just can't afford to lose people there, we're not operating at full strength. Hopefully Akil Patterson will step in there and do the job. Ed Tyler has been around here, it's his fifth year, so we got to find a way to get it done in the front. So, we're a little concerned there with our continuity in our offensive line.
"Our running game has to come on. I think Josh Allen showed that's he more than capable in the scrimmage on Sunday as he did last season when he played on a regular basis. Backs-wise, I think we are okay. Sam Maldonado gives us a big back and Lance Ball has been impressive as a true freshman. I think we're okay there.
"Our only thing is we don't have the continuity there with the injuries. It's been a long camp, their legs are dead, they're going to have some time off tomorrow and the big thing now is getting their legs back, that skip back in their step, and then polish up and fine-tune the offense and get ready to go on Thursday night."
Taaffe also said the Terps down-field passing improvements have been evident in camp, with the QBs and WRs timing their routes and passes better and that will open up other parts of the offense.
Taaffe said it's still 'up an down' with the two redshirt freshmen quarterbacks, Joel Statham and Sam Hollenbach, who trade back and forth between No. 3.
"We're waiting for one of them to kind of step out. Right now they both have good days and then kind of act at times like they are lost. It's kind of even there right now. The good thing is I think we have found a capable 'two' (Orlando Evans).
"So, we'll continue to work all four of those guys and 'one' and 'two' are going to get the majority of the reps and 'three' will get a few. But I see that maybe changing week to week until someone...if nothing clears it up, we'll try to keep both of them involved because next year, obviously, we have another issue to settle, so we got to keep them involved in the offense."
Any questions that you may have on Terp football,shoot the my way at Farmstore@earthlink.net
BTW Terps should role this team as their offense is clicking on all cyclinders. @ reasons for concern
1)Terp O-line is a little dinged up and lacks depth
2)NIU is treating this agme like the super Bowl.
Terps offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe took time this week to rate the Terps offense following August camp.
Taaffe likes where the Terps are with the exception of, obviously, injuries and depth on the offensive line.
QB Scott McBrien was the Terps top performer in camp, while RB Sam Maldonado was the biggest surprise. Latrez Harrison and Jafar Williams had fine camps and locked up the starting receiver spots, while TE Jeff Dugan raised his level of play with the newcomers pressing. At running back, the Terps will go with Josh Allen and Maldonado until Bruce Perry heals. On the offensive line the Terps suffered their worst setback of camp, losing starting right guard Lamar Bryant for 4-6 weeks with a broken foot, and need either Akil Patterson or Ed Tyler to step up and seize the starting job. Neither has so far. Meanwhile, the Terps are still waiting for some of their other upperclassmen OLs to step up in key backup roles.
"I have been really pleased with our camp. We came back...the guys worked hard this summer, we had a little different format this pre-season, but I feel like we've made strides with the offense.
"The only real full-scrimmage format we had Sunday I thought we did some really good things, I thought we played with poise.
"One of our big things is percentage of error and keeping that no more than 12 percent. And over a 152-play scrimmage we were about 9 percentage of error. For a first scrimmage I was really pleased with that. I was pleased with the quarterback's decision-making.
"I think maybe our pass protection is a little ahead of our run blocking right now and we did a good job there, we threw the ball reasonably well in the first scrimmage. So, I think we have made good progress.
"Concerns, well those obviously are the un-controllable things. We've got four key guys on our offense injured. You know Bruce, he's probably going to miss the first game right now...and Steve Suter one of our best receivers. Our quarterback, obviously, I think we'll be okay but he's missing some work but should be back and ready to go. And of course Lamar Bryant on the offensive line where we don't have a lot of depth. That continues to be a concern and we just can't afford to lose people there, we're not operating at full strength. Hopefully Akil Patterson will step in there and do the job. Ed Tyler has been around here, it's his fifth year, so we got to find a way to get it done in the front. So, we're a little concerned there with our continuity in our offensive line.
"Our running game has to come on. I think Josh Allen showed that's he more than capable in the scrimmage on Sunday as he did last season when he played on a regular basis. Backs-wise, I think we are okay. Sam Maldonado gives us a big back and Lance Ball has been impressive as a true freshman. I think we're okay there.
"Our only thing is we don't have the continuity there with the injuries. It's been a long camp, their legs are dead, they're going to have some time off tomorrow and the big thing now is getting their legs back, that skip back in their step, and then polish up and fine-tune the offense and get ready to go on Thursday night."
Taaffe also said the Terps down-field passing improvements have been evident in camp, with the QBs and WRs timing their routes and passes better and that will open up other parts of the offense.
Taaffe said it's still 'up an down' with the two redshirt freshmen quarterbacks, Joel Statham and Sam Hollenbach, who trade back and forth between No. 3.
"We're waiting for one of them to kind of step out. Right now they both have good days and then kind of act at times like they are lost. It's kind of even there right now. The good thing is I think we have found a capable 'two' (Orlando Evans).
"So, we'll continue to work all four of those guys and 'one' and 'two' are going to get the majority of the reps and 'three' will get a few. But I see that maybe changing week to week until someone...if nothing clears it up, we'll try to keep both of them involved because next year, obviously, we have another issue to settle, so we got to keep them involved in the offense."
and the terp defense
Terps defensive coordinator Gary Blackney took time this week to look back on August camp and the performance of his defense.
Up front, it was huge getting NG C.J. Feldheim back from a knee procedure two weeks ago, as the senior is the heart of the front line and keeps the unit running with his leadership and maturity.
Junior tackle Randy Starks had his best practice ever as a Terp on Tuesday, as he took over and dominated in 'team' drills. His play led to one of the worst days for the offense in camp as he completely disrupted the line and QBs.
Also up front, Conrad Bolston has come on of late at DE and will back Scott Smith, who will have to watch his back this fall as he struggles through some pain.
Fellow freshman DL Robert Armstrong can play both nose and tackle. Both freshmen are in the two-deep.
Also at end, junior Kevin Eli returned to practice this week and has had a solid camp. He has become a bit more explosive at the point of contact, his one 'knock' in the past.
Among the linebackers/LEOs, LEO Jamahl Cochran has been one of the steadiest Terps in camp, and raised his play with Shawne Merriman out. Cochran has been excellent against the run and makes few mistakes. Merriman is expected to play vs. NIU.
D'Qwell Jackson, Leroy Ambush and Leon Joe have all had solid camps, while freshmen Tim Cesa and Wesley Jefferson are pushing to get into the two-deep. Reserve Andrew Henley will offer support at as many as three back-up spots while the young guys develop. You also have Reggie Holmes and William Kershaw in the mix at the Mike and Will. Kershaw was moved to the Will last week. Overall, the Terps LB corps is a bit smaller this year than last year, but is quicker and covers more ground.
In the secondary everyone knows what AAs Madieu Williams and Domonique Foxworth bring to the table, but the other two - Dennard Wilson and Curome Cox two players often overlooked by the 'headliners' - have taken the next step in their development. Especially Wilson who has been one of the top playmakers and leaders throughout camp.
The key has been Starks, who when he plays at the level he did this week opponents will have a real tough time running the ball against UM.
Here were Blackney's thoughts at camp's end about his defense, as well as some thoughts on NIU:
"As far as our defense is concerned, the last few days we've really picked it up. I think our enthusiasm and our effort and our emotion has really come together. I think we've bonded, and it took a little longer than I hoped it would. I thought with the veteran unit we have I thought it would have happened a little bit sooner. It looks like it's happening and I'm really pleased.
"Getting C.J. Feldheim back was big, and when Randy Starks really turns it up he's good. And Scott Smith's had a really good pre-season. Conrad Bolston has really come along and he's going to fit into our plans.
So, when you get those people up front playing, creating a lot of havoc, it makes the defense that much better.
"Randy has turned it up the last three or four practices which is big."
"Northern Illinois is going to present some real defensive challenges for us. Number one, Michael Turner is a really excellent back, I think he's a back that can play at any level. I really believe he can be a Sunday player.
"Because he's so powerful and you have to stop him, they take advantage of the play-action pass, you know faking it in the line with him and then pulling the ball. And they love to run deep routes and the quarterback is exceptional at throwing the deep ball. He throws the take-off extremely well, he throws the post, and he throws the post corner really well. And they have 2-3 really good receivers who can go up and get the ball.
"So, we need to try and keep Turner under control and then on defense, especially the guys in my part of it, the back end, not giving up the big play.
"Turner, he's got a real good low center of gravity so he's hard to knock off his feet. He runs sub-4.5 so he can get around the corner. And he's got good vision and great cut-back ability. So, he's got excellent feet and good hips plus he's 6-foot, 220-pounds so he's wired up pretty good."
Terps defensive coordinator Gary Blackney took time this week to look back on August camp and the performance of his defense.
Up front, it was huge getting NG C.J. Feldheim back from a knee procedure two weeks ago, as the senior is the heart of the front line and keeps the unit running with his leadership and maturity.
Junior tackle Randy Starks had his best practice ever as a Terp on Tuesday, as he took over and dominated in 'team' drills. His play led to one of the worst days for the offense in camp as he completely disrupted the line and QBs.
Also up front, Conrad Bolston has come on of late at DE and will back Scott Smith, who will have to watch his back this fall as he struggles through some pain.
Fellow freshman DL Robert Armstrong can play both nose and tackle. Both freshmen are in the two-deep.
Also at end, junior Kevin Eli returned to practice this week and has had a solid camp. He has become a bit more explosive at the point of contact, his one 'knock' in the past.
Among the linebackers/LEOs, LEO Jamahl Cochran has been one of the steadiest Terps in camp, and raised his play with Shawne Merriman out. Cochran has been excellent against the run and makes few mistakes. Merriman is expected to play vs. NIU.
D'Qwell Jackson, Leroy Ambush and Leon Joe have all had solid camps, while freshmen Tim Cesa and Wesley Jefferson are pushing to get into the two-deep. Reserve Andrew Henley will offer support at as many as three back-up spots while the young guys develop. You also have Reggie Holmes and William Kershaw in the mix at the Mike and Will. Kershaw was moved to the Will last week. Overall, the Terps LB corps is a bit smaller this year than last year, but is quicker and covers more ground.
In the secondary everyone knows what AAs Madieu Williams and Domonique Foxworth bring to the table, but the other two - Dennard Wilson and Curome Cox two players often overlooked by the 'headliners' - have taken the next step in their development. Especially Wilson who has been one of the top playmakers and leaders throughout camp.
The key has been Starks, who when he plays at the level he did this week opponents will have a real tough time running the ball against UM.
Here were Blackney's thoughts at camp's end about his defense, as well as some thoughts on NIU:
"As far as our defense is concerned, the last few days we've really picked it up. I think our enthusiasm and our effort and our emotion has really come together. I think we've bonded, and it took a little longer than I hoped it would. I thought with the veteran unit we have I thought it would have happened a little bit sooner. It looks like it's happening and I'm really pleased.
"Getting C.J. Feldheim back was big, and when Randy Starks really turns it up he's good. And Scott Smith's had a really good pre-season. Conrad Bolston has really come along and he's going to fit into our plans.
So, when you get those people up front playing, creating a lot of havoc, it makes the defense that much better.
"Randy has turned it up the last three or four practices which is big."
"Northern Illinois is going to present some real defensive challenges for us. Number one, Michael Turner is a really excellent back, I think he's a back that can play at any level. I really believe he can be a Sunday player.
"Because he's so powerful and you have to stop him, they take advantage of the play-action pass, you know faking it in the line with him and then pulling the ball. And they love to run deep routes and the quarterback is exceptional at throwing the deep ball. He throws the take-off extremely well, he throws the post, and he throws the post corner really well. And they have 2-3 really good receivers who can go up and get the ball.
"So, we need to try and keep Turner under control and then on defense, especially the guys in my part of it, the back end, not giving up the big play.
"Turner, he's got a real good low center of gravity so he's hard to knock off his feet. He runs sub-4.5 so he can get around the corner. And he's got good vision and great cut-back ability. So, he's got excellent feet and good hips plus he's 6-foot, 220-pounds so he's wired up pretty good."
