With Young gone, Terps' line depth even more questionable

With Maryland confirming guard Lamar Young is transferring from the football program --- after a spring of dealing with academic issues, it's not difficult to figure out the reason --- the Terrapins' offensive line depth looks more dicey than ever.

Nix that, not so much dicey as unknown. And that doubles as dicey some of the time.

Young didn't practice in the spring, so an optimist would say "Gee, that just means Maryland got a head start on playing without him."

But let's not kid ourselves.

Not a practice session went by this spring without Ralph Friedgen bringing up or getting asked about his team's conundrum at guard. Walk-on Josh Cary received a ton of reps, not because he was good (though he received a ton of praise for handling a huge workload and was probably among the most appreciated players on the roster in April) but rather because he was the only option.

In short, a guy who played in 10 games last year and started three at left guard would have been useful for Maryland. Perhaps not crucial, but certainly something of an asset.

As it stands, here's the rundown of the likely backups on Maryland's line. There's an assumption on my part at center, but you'll notice a distinct trend regardless of that:

LT: Nick Klemm (RS-Fr.)
LG: Pete White (RS-Fr.)
C: Sal Conaboy (Fr.)
RG: Justin Lewis (RS-So.)
RT: Pete DeSouza (RS-Fr.)

Lewis played in nine games in 2009, starting three times in the second half of the season. None of the other guys has taken a college snap.

Perhaps some or all can play capably if need be if the tentative starters --- three starters and two former walk-ons --- falter or get hurt. But in this particular season, when the line will again dictate any sort of upside Maryland will enjoy, it's easy to envision an injury or two to a starter up front basically being the end of whatever hope there is to reach a bowl game and save Friedgen's job.

Comments

[ngaterp]

Patrick, without a doubt the key to the Terps season will be the health of the OL. If we can avoid key injuries 7-8 wins very possible. As you say "Young's departure only makes situation more dicey.... I do think they will move Hampton back to OL based on the Young transfer.

[D1scourse]

Nga ---

The issue with Hampton, to be blunt, is he just wasnt a very good offensive lineman. A guy who didnt play in the last five games last season and not because of an injury ... theres really not another likely conclusion to come to. Since they see him helping on the d-line in some capacity, I just dont see that switch as an initial move.

The Gonnella/White and Fulper/Lewis pairs are a starting point. If one of the starters gets hurt, maybe the freshman Conaboy starts at center and Pinegar shifts to guard.

Eight wins is a real stretch, and even seven victories represents a remarkable level of optimism. Given the questions with this roster, 6-6 would constitute a solid season Maryland fans should be happy with in the current context.