Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6′ 3″/208 lbs
Age: 33 Experience: 10
College: West Virginia READ MORE >>>
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The battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball is crucial to playing well and winning football games. Last year, Maryland struggled on both sides of the line. I have already covered the Maryland offensive line and today, we are gonna get started on the defense with the defensive line. In Friday Night Lights, the quarterbacks for the show have been Jason Street, Matt Saracen, and J.D. McCoy, and of the three, only Saracen has actually won a state title for the Dillon Panthers. Now you would probably describe Jason Street and J.D. McCoy as the superstar quarterbacks with the ability to make any throw, but Saracen has something even more valuable and that is leadership and the ability for his team to believe in him and rally behind him in spite of his perceived weaknesses. Even in the new season, the team doesn’t begin to gel until the quarterback situation is taken care of and Vince becomes the primary signal caller. READ MORE >>> I don’t know if any of you remember the commercial for Wendy’s from the mid 80s but with the Maryland has no shortage of experience returning at the wide receiver position. They return their top five receivers from last year including junior Torrey Smith (6-1, 200) and senior Adrian Cannon (6-2, 204). Torrey Smith finished sixth nationally in all-purpose yards and was named preseason All ACC for wide receivers and kick returners. Smith led Maryland in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns (61-824-5) and kick returns with 51 for 1,309 yards last year. The coaches have worked with Smith on running sharper routes and catching the ball more cleanly and over the offseason, Smith studied film of Larry Fitzgerald. He should be an improved receiver this season even though some of his statistics might not be as impressive. He also has a chance to break his own record for the third straight year for kick return yardage in a season. READ MORE >>> The Terps had eight former hoops stars (Greivis Vasquez–Grizzlies, Chris McCray–Grizzlies, James Gist–Spurs, Ekene Ibekwe–Trail Blazers, Landon Milbourne–Hawks, Jamar Smith–Timberwolves, Nik Caner-Medley–Clippers, and D.J. Strawberry—Lakers) participating in the NBA Summer League. The listed included recent graduates and some a few years removed as you can see. The four that stood out the most for me would have to be Vasquez, Strawberry, Ibekwe, and Gist. READ MORE >>> Position: Wide Receiver Next time you want to win a bar bet, ask who has the most 100-yard receiving games for the Ravens in their history. The answer is Mark Clayton with 9 of them. Another interesting factoid is that he is the only non-quarterback to throw for a touchdown in Ravens history. So over the weekend Carmelo Anthony, our very own Baltimore native and current star on the Denver Nuggets, got married. However, the thing that stuck out from the wedding was during a toast made by Chris Paul of the Hornets saying that he, Amare, and Anthony will form their own “Big 3” in the Big Apple. . . . → Read More: Big Decision for Carmelo So I tuned in last night just like millions of others to hear the decision of LeBron James. I can’t say I was surprised by his decision based on reports from various people that day that he was going to be joining the Miami Heat with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Last night, LeBron just made it official. He is a global icon but of what I am not sure yet. No longer can he be in the conversation as best ever player because Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant would never jump on a team together and try to win. Could you see Jordan teaming with Bird or Magic? Instead, they would go out and eviscerate all their competition including each other to win the ring. . . . → Read More: Lebron James: The Global Icon? The Wizards draft was really very, very good. I would give them an A due to the fact that they added a cornerstone player in John Wall. They also added some bulk, toughness, and youth with Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, and Hamady N’diaye. I don’t think they will be significantly better next year, but by adding John Wall, the Wizards have a cornerstone piece to build for a championship team. I like the direction the Wizards are going. As for the other players highlighted on Tuesday, here is how they fared. In the lottery, the Nets took Derrick Favors and got a really good piece that will complement Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. It will be interesting to see how they use their cap money and if Favors actually is a Net by training camp. The Pistons really wanted Demarcus Cousins but Greg Monroe fell in their lap, and in him, they got a big man that can pass and play the low post very well. The Clippers took Aminu and I just am not sold on him because I am not sure his body and skills will translate to the NBA level. The Raptors prepared for life without Chris Bosh with the drafting of Ed Davis. While Davis does not have the offensive skill of Bosh, he can definitely help on the defensive end and will be a good complimentary player to go with Andrea Bargnani. . . . → Read More: Wizards & ACC NBA draft aftermath “With the first pick in the 2010 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards select…” So, the Wizards have three picks in this year’s draft, but will they select anyone from the ACC. Let’s breakdown the players and see what Chad Ford, ESPN’s NBA draft guru, thinks. Top 5 Picks: Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech)—long athletic big . . . → Read More: ACC NBA draft preview Ted Leonsis is now the principal owner of both the Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards after the sale went through today after approval by the NBA Board of Governors. While it was a foregone conclusion that Leonsis would take over after Abe Pollin passed away, it still marks as a significant and hopefully positive transition for a struggling franchise. I think David Stern summed up that transition very well, “The transaction signifies the end of an era and a passing of the torch into very capable hands. We have long admired what Ted has done with the Washington Capitals in terms of sales, marketing and outreach in the community, and we look forward to him bringing those skills to bear for the Wizards.” . . . → Read More: Ted Leonsis Officially Takes Over the Wizards: Better Days Ahead? As the basketball season is winding down and the Lakers and Celtics play for the title, teams turn their eyes to free agency and the draft to improve their teams. Of particular interest for Terps fans are the prospects for Greivis Vasquez. Of course, before we can go into teams that Greivis might fit into we have to know some of Vasquez’s strengths and weaknesses. As Terps fans and college basketball fans in general can attest, Greivis Vasquez exudes passion for basketball. Some of the other things Chad Ford, ESPN’s draft insider, states are that he thrives on drives to the hoop, solid passing which can be helpful to play some point guard in the NBA. Some of the weaknesses are his athleticism (in terms of leaping and speed) and his mid range jumper along with needing to bulk a bit. Scouts also can’t figure out what position he would fit best at whether it would be as a true point guard or as a combo guard. With all that said, Greivis figures to grade out as an early to mid second round pick. . . . → Read More: Are Greivis Vasquez’ NBA Draft Dreams Realized in Motown? |
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