Maryland's All-ACC performers
Running back Da’Rel Scott, center Edwin Williams and punter Travis Baltz made the All-ACC first team picked by the media.
Linebacker Alex Wujciak made the second team.
Offensive lineman Scott Burley, tight end Dan Gronkowski, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre and offensive lineman Jaimie Thomas got honorable mention.
Quick thoughts: Most media members and coaches certainly believed Heyward-Bey would be first team before the season began. Is it the receiver's fault that his numbers weren't so high, or do you place the blame with the quarterback, the game plans or the offensive line?
Also, I thought Wujciak had a shot at first team because he gets in on so many plays. But Wujciak is still young and the ACC has some pretty fierce linebackers -- first-team selection Mark Herzlich of Boston College comes to mind.
Your thoughts?
Comments
How do the Terps have 3 OL's honored when that unit struggled with both run blocking and pass protection, especially the last 2 games? And not to diss Da'Rel, but this must have been a down year for ACC backs if he is 1st team. He played hurt and I appreciate that, but he had several games with no positive impact.
Posted by: Skin | December 2, 2008 9:21 AM
DHB cannot separate himself from coverage. If it isn't a lack of speed, then it's a lack of moves to enable himself to break clear.
Posted by: Al | December 2, 2008 9:59 AM
Good for Da'Rel Scott...but really???
Posted by: ryan | December 2, 2008 10:36 AM
Concur on Wojciak. I also think we're lucky to have as many first teamers as we did. I think Da'Rel got lucky, Edwin is clearly good but I find it ironic he was selected given the number of times I read quotes from the senior captain basically saying "We didn't focus" since it was his job to focus the team.
DHB is a great pro WR prospect, but his performance this year wasn't great. He has to find a way to deal with double teams and schemes if he wants to make it big on the next level. However, he'll benefit from potentially better offensive schemes. There are though, only so many ways to get a WR the ball.
Posted by: ckstevenson | December 2, 2008 12:30 PM
I disagree with Skin...did you watch the games?? It's the quarterbacks that can not get him the ball effectively. For example, against Clemson, DHB was open for a easy touchdown but Turner underthrew the ball...you have to have a QB that can get you the ball...that will not be the case in the NFL.
Also, all these conference teams are not legit anyway...are you telling me that Derrick Williams of Penn State had a better year at receiver than Arrelious Benn of Ilinois..but D. Williams was a first team selection and Benn a second team selection..other factors come in to play regarding the selection beside what happens on the field.
Posted by: Adrian | December 2, 2008 4:17 PM
Good to see Wujciak do so well. 2nd Team, All-ACC aint bad for a guy playing his first full season...this year was basically his redshirt freshman season. He's a stud and as long as he doesn't lose anymore speed, should definitely be able to play at the next level.
Posted by: Jeff Arends | December 2, 2008 4:38 PM
too bad Barnes got hurt as he was missed & I think he would've been 1st team all conference. I don't know about assessing blame on H-B's stats but I do know Turner's arm didn't match H-B's speed on the deep ball. That's been glaringly obvious for two years.
Posted by: cjterps98 | December 2, 2008 6:51 PM
Bobby Bowden has experienced a few bad seasons after his Coordinators left. However, he is still one of the most successful coaches in D-1, ever. He has one simple rule, get the ball to your playmakers. If this means you add plays outside of your west coast offense to do that, then stay up all night and get it ready for practice.
I think Frankline tried. DHB is the franchise player here. He did face double coverage all season long. Franklin tried all kinds of ways to get him the ball. However, just trying isn't what wins division championships. The coaches must find away. Here's a suggestion (maybe a naive one), get another deep threat on the other side with deadly speed. Hey, Nolan Caroll was a track guy with deadly speed and a highly regarded receiver recruit. He's got the speed to torch the double on DHB. Yeah Yeah, in D-1 you have to know how to cut to make the routes work and you have to know the routes. I'm just talking about speed.
I never understood why he wasn't used. Torrey Smith and Oquendo are great receivers but can they catch ,,,Nolan flat out?
Nolan just has to catch one in three or four to keep defense honest. They just have to know the threat is on the field, on the line, when the game is. Even if you move Nolan over from the defense for just one or two plays a game. You don't even after throw it to him on all those plays. His speed will make the D coordinator take notice. I'd like to see it. If he just catches one, its probably seven.
Posted by: Pterp | December 2, 2008 6:55 PM
Good for Alex;my 15 yr. old son likes his play.I blame a lack of focus on everybody for Darius playing under his college potential this year.Damn shame.OLB were adequate this year but all ACC?Must be down year for them;meaning all star caliber.Scott deserves kudos but I thought 2nd team,at best.Sorry.Danny O was the man in the end this season.I wish him all the best in his life after college.
Posted by: Dan R. | December 2, 2008 10:56 PM