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Ralph Friedgen was unusually relaxed in the weeks leading up to spring practice. Following a third consecutive season with at least 10 victories, Friedgen treated his staff to a week of vacation at a Dominican Republic resort. Then, on the way home, Friedgen took a detour, stopping in Atlanta and retreating to his Georgia lake house for a few days. "Getting soft, I guess," Friedgen joked. Hardly. A more likely scenario is that entering a fourth season with largely the same group of assistants, Friedgen and his staff have things going so well that a major offseason overhaul is unnecessary. "I don't know if it's good or bad," Friedgen said. "Normally I go through the playbook every year and go through all our tapes. We did it faster this year than any other year. [We didn't have to] spend that much time on what we're doing and how we're doing it." Maybe not, but Friedgen knows there are several questions facing his team in 2004. Can the Terrapins find a capable quarterback? What about the secondary, which loses three key starters, most notably All-ACC safety Madieu Williams? Can the defensive line overcome the loss of tackle Randy Starks, who chose the NFL over his senior season? Will Maryland be able to replace the right side of its offensive line? Making things a little more difficult than in past seasons, the Terrapins will have to answer these questions while trying to meet lofty expectations. It is another reminder of Maryland's progress since turning to Friedgen. "Remember, I was disappointed because we had such low expectations," Friedgen said, alluding to the days when a six-win season would have been enough to earn the team a parade down Route 1 through College Park. "If you want to have a good program, then that comes with it." Offense The team's biggest issue is quarterback, where third-year sophomore Joel Statham is the leading contender to take the season's first snap. An athletic player with running ability, Statham threw just 25 passes last season, and his three interceptions in the spring game didn't instill confidence in the coaching staff. Don't be surprised if true freshman Jordan Steffy gets a look.
Junior tailback Josh Allen appears set to move into the full-time role at tailback. He rushed for 922 yards while sharing time with Bruce Perry last year. Sammy Maldonado, a transfer from Ohio State, averaged 6.0 yards per carry in a reserve role last season. He can be counted on to carry the load if Allen goes down. There will be some new faces at wide receiver, but senior Steve Suter (a two-time All-ACC return specialist) gives the team a top playmaker. He caught 29 passes for 471 yards last season. Derrick Fenner could be primed for a breakout season. He turned 12 receptions into 334 yards for an ACC-best 27.8 yards per catch last season. Center Kyle Schmitt and All-ACC guard C.J. Brooks will lead a unit that has been a pleasant surprise in each of Ralph Friedgen's seasons. Brooks, who has started all 37 games in his career, should vie for All-America honors. Schmitt, an honorable mention All-ACC pick, was the Terps' highest-graded lineman in 2003. Defense Senior defensive end Kevin Eli, whose career had mostly been an afterthought until he was pressed into service midway through last season, earned second-team All-ACC honors with 5.5 sacks.
"He wasn't even going to come back and use [his final season of eligibility]," Friedgen said. "He's already graduated. Now he's back and being a leader." The linebackers will be the unit's strength, led by Shawne Merriman, who has big-play ability on every down. D'Qwell Jackson returns at middle linebacker. Tall and hard-hitting William Kershaw is penciled in at the weak-side linebacker. Cornerback Domonique Foxworth, a two-time All-ACC pick, excels in coverage. Unfortunately, he's the only returning starter in the secondary. Senior Rueben Haigler could start at the other corner, but of more concern are the safety spots, where seniors Chris Kelley and Ray Custis are untested and sure to be challenged. Specialists Maryland's special teams, with every key player returning, should be a strength. Kicker Nick Novak, a two-time first-team All-ACC selection, has excellent range and consistency and is strong on kickoffs. Punter Adam Podlesh was second-team All-ACC as a redshirt freshman.
Suter has six punt returns for TDs, one shy of the NCAA career record. Final Analysis In a short amount of time, Friedgen led the Terrapins from the conference basement to its upper echelon, a notch behind Florida State. Staying there might be difficult, however, with the additions of Miami and Virginia Tech in the ACC's football-driven expansion.
But Friedgen believes his alma mater can continue to compete at the highest of levels. And with 31 wins in three years, it's hard to doubt him. "I try to look at each year's team, what their potential will allow; that's all you can expect," Friedgen said. "I think the precedent [of 10 victories] has been set. Our kids look at that as a benchmark." • Click here for a complete list of 2004 Team Previews from Athlon
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