University of Maryland Football

Terrapin Sports

Due to technical problems, we are rescheduling today's chat to Friday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. ET.

How did the Terrapins play against Duke this past weekend? Coach Ralph Friedgen stands behind his starting quarterback Joel Statham and keeps him from speaking to the media, saying that Statham "doesn't need to be distracted."

The University of Maryland kicks off their college football season! What is the outlook for this weekend's game against Georgia Tech?

Share your thoughts about how the team looks. Post staff writer Eric Prisbell, who covers Maryland football, was online Thursday, Sept. 30, at Noon ET to take your questions and comments.

Submit your questions before or during the discussion.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Eric Prisbell: Hello, everyone. Thanks for joining me. I know it's a bye week, but I'm still cranking out the daily newsletter, so sign up if you want to know everything about the Terps, including which player has a cold, every day. Ok, let's start it up.

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Jacksonville, Fla.: Eric, great newsletter and Post columns. With over 100 students on the roster the team is a constant ebb and flow of people. Not to get ahead of the season which will be successful, but how does the class of 2005 look so far. I saw McClain fell off and E. Roseevelt's Williams wants Florida or SC. Also Jared G. is now in prep school? Virginia is doing well in recruiting how does Maryland stack up? If you can comment on Gary Williams class too that would be great. Starved for info in Jacksonville.

Eric Prisbell: Hey, thanks Jacksonville. I enjoyed my time in your town, especially on New Year's Eve, during the Gator Bowl. Good question. I know recruiting can go back and forth and nothing is certain until signing day and the faxes start rolling in, but Maryland is very pleased with how recruiting is going so far. I wrote about some of what Ralph said about that in today's newsletter. They are filling some needs and are continuing to recruit for quarterback, which I found interesting. UVA is doing very well, however, as you said. As for hoops, in short, I know Maryland lost the player to Arizona, but Gary Williams has done a good job in the past in building strong teams even though he may not get the best of the best players. In my opinion, I think if you consistently get players ranked from, say, 50-125 in hoops, then you have a decent chance of keeping most of those guys four years. And seniors will win in basketball.

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Raleigh, NC: What do you think will happen next year with the quarterback position? Especially if Statham is successful.

Eric Prisbell: If Statham is successful this season, as the coaching staff believes he will be, then that will set up for quite a QB battle this spring and next summer. I, for one, am really looking forward to that because it will add some drama to next season. The biggest drama we've seen so far this season has involved some players getting upset with the student paper writing columns that criticized Statham. But if Maryland can make its typical late-season surge, then that would add plenty of drama this year. Back to your question, Joel still is clearly better than Jordan right now. By next summer, I think, it could go either way and I can't wait to watch it play out.

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Ted, Washington, D.C.: Nick Novak is a great kicker. How badly does the fact that he missed the potential game winner against WV hurt him as being recognized as the best kicker in the land (for college anyways)

Eric Prisbell: Excellent question. It surely would have helped him had he made the 49-yarder, that's for sure. And Nick knows that the Ohio State kicker made his game-winner against Marshall earlier this season. Nick told me the OSU kicker Nugent is one of the kickers he most admires. The toughest games are ahead for Maryland, though, and I think Nick will get at least one more chance at a big kick in a pressure situation. Another thing: I think Nick will get some national attention as the season goes on as he gets closer to the NCAA all-time points record, which he has a chance to break.

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Rockville, Md.: A fair number of true freshman have played this year already. Are the any the staff especially like to contribute as the year goes on?

Eric Prisbell: Another good question. Keep an eye on Jason Goode, a 6-foot-4 freshman tight end. He could start contributing soon. Fridge said earlier this week that he really likes his progress. Maryland is stacked at tight end/H-back, but Goode can do so many things with his size and speed, so he'll find a way on the field sooner rather than later. The same goes for Keon Lattimore.

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Silver Spring, Md.: I was happy to see a lot more Vernon Davis last weekend. Hopefully this could open up some space for the running game a bit. I thoguht Josh Allen was going to have an incredible year, he seems very tentative, is he still hurt or should we expect to see more of Sammy the Bull as the year wears on?

Eric Prisbell: Yeah, after the Duke game I asked Vernon if his performance -- four catches for 101 yards -- can give him the spark to have other great games in the coming weeks. He answered with an emphatic, "Yes."

I talked to Josh and Sammy both at length this week and Josh said he's 100 percent now. I think Maryland will continue to keep defenses off balance by rotating the two. They complement each other so well with their running styles. They'll need both in the coming games, all of which will be tough.

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Detroit, Mich. : Is the dream over? I think so. (I don't think Maryland will ever win the ACC.) Here's an idea: The Terps should move to the Big East. (Seriously.) This would give them a chance to play for the national championship every year. (Yes, yes, I know: Playing Connecticut and Temple isn't going to get you ready for Oklahoma and LSU. But after you run the table in the regular season, anything is possible.)

Eric Prisbell: I don't care what message is being spun out of Morgantown, the Big East will only be good for one thing in the coming seasons: Basketball. Just think, West Virginia might go undefeated this season and still not be considered among the best teams because the league is so poor.

I have not been impressed with the QB play at FSU or Miami, so the ACC might actually be up for grabs if Virginia can keep playing well.

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Havre de Grace, Md.: Is it a blessing that the defense seems to be way ahead of the offense at this point?

Eric Prisbell: Well, Maryland is very fortunate that the defense is playing so well and playing, in my opinion, better than most people expected. Everyone knew about Merriman and D'Qwell and Foxworth, but Chris Kelley, Holloway and some others are playing very well, too. Maryland has I think 12 turnovers, which ranks them 108th nationally. The defense is responsible for the team's 3-1 record right now.

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Ted, Washington, D.C.: At what point do you say the qb has turned it over way too many times, put him on the bench.

Eric Prisbell: That's a great question and one that many people around the program have been thinking about. I honestly don't think it's near that point, though, for a couple reasons. First, Statham is the best Maryland has right now. Jordan, by all accounts, will be very good, but he's not there yet.

Also, it would be tough to throw Jordan in for his first start against the meat of the ACC schedule. Joel really helped himself with the 362 yards passing effort against Duke. He made several good reads and should be looking for Vernon Davis often in the future. But again: Statham is the best they have right now.

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Bethesda, Md: Why are people always so impatient with first year starting QBs? Statham is receiving the same criticism Scott McBrien received his first few games in 2002. And McBrien turned out alright, winning 21 games in 2 years while capturing 2 major bowl MVPs. And in fact, Statham is easily ahead of where McBrien was during the first few games his junior year, and Statham is only a sophomore. So why is it so hard for people to realize this?

Eric Prisbell: Now that sounds like Ralph Friedgen. But I tend to agree with you. Joel is 20 years old. He has been great with the media throughout, taking responsibility for his mistakes and keeping a positive attitude. The most criticism so far has come from two forums: the student paper has written a couple columns -- not written by the beat writer, of course -- suggesting he should have jumped on a "midnight train to georgia" after a few of those interceptions. And the message boards have attacked him. It's the nature of the sport. It's best to stay away from message board because you're never as good as they make you out to be and never as bad as they say. All that said, he needs to start turning the corner soon because the schedule is so difficult.

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Greenbelt, Md.: What's with the D.C. blitzing all of the linebackers and safetys on the last play of the game against WVU?! The Terps lost in overtime last year too from having one-on-one coverage against the other team's best receiver!

Eric Prisbell: Interesting point. But Foxworth was the man in coverage there, not exactly a lightweight. The coaching staff said Foxworth never gets burned on an inside route during practice. But he made a wrong guess on the route against WVU and got beat. It happens.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi. Outside of Md/Va I really look forward to Md/Fla St. Like baseball coming to DC is this the year Maryland beats the Seminoles?

Eric Prisbell: I would say it could be the year because Fridge is so good at Byrd Stadium. But I have to see Joel play better against decent teams. His two best games came against Temple and Duke, two of the worst teams in the country. How Joel does against an NC State defense that is ranked No. 1 in the country will be very telling.

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Rockville, Md.: Allen and Maldonado seem capable ball carriers, but defenses are able to stack players in the box, knowing that Statham is not a real downfield threat. Is Statham's inability to handle the ball the fatal blow to an otherwise capable offense?

Eric Prisbell: It certainly looks like that's the case. But there are some other things that have to improve, too. The offensive line has not been as sharp as it was during the first two games. Receivers at times have to run better routes. The problem has been a lot of Joel but not totally all Joel.

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Winston-Salem, NC: Coach, Rich Parson was injured early in the WVU game but played, and played well, against Duke. I really admired his effort all game, and especially on the touchdown catch and run, when he was still clearly in pain. How is he doing, and could you comment on what appears to me to be his leadership role on offense? Thanks.

Eric Prisbell: He had a yellow (restricted contact) jersey on during practice yesterday but I saw him still make a great catch. They'll need him to be totally healthy as the year goes on. He talked to me earlier in the season about providing more leadership and I think that will definitely help, especially when you have such a young quarterback. All of the receivers will help Joel's development.

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Atlanta, Ga.: How come the Terps don't use more running backs? GO TERPS.
WALTER S.

Eric Prisbell: Use more running backs? Or use running backs more?

Allen and Maldonado are doing a pretty good job, and Allen's performance will improve now that he is totally healthy. I am a little surprised Lance Ball hasn't had an impact after all the hype about him late last season.

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Centreville, Va: What is your opinion on the development of Wesley Jefferson?

Eric Prisbell: Wesley has 18 tackles and coaches have been very pleased with his progress. I think he'll get much better before the season is out, too.

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Beltsville, Md.: What reason did Derrick Williams give for ruling out Maryland so early in the recruiting process?

How's the recruiting going for Boateng? (wide receiver)

Eric Prisbell: I keep hearing Florida will be tough to beat for Williams.

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Sterling Va: What was the deal with Terp recruit Dave Mc Clain decommitting? Thank You.

Eric Prisbell: McClain is huge and a very promising prospect. As for his de-commitment, this stuff happens in basketball and football. I take everything with a grain of salt until the player actually signs with a school.

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Maryland (Tim): Fridge has made it well known that he, and his staff, will make every effort to keep the best players in state. In the past couple years he has lost out on: B. Edwards, A. Wooden, D. Harvey, D. Dutch, and most likely D. Williams. While Ralph is bringing in some talented in-state players, he is not keeping the #1 ranked player / bule-chip prospects in-state. Why are the so-called bule-chipers going out-of-state, and what can Ralph do to keep them in-state in the years to come?

Eric Prisbell: I expect the Under Armour commercial to help recruiting overall, both in state and out of state. All the players see this thing and many have told Ralph that it really pumps them up. That said, this is a competitive area for recruiting and UVA and Virginia Tech are strong programs. So no program will be able to get all the top players.

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Winston-Salem, NC: Sorry, thought the Fridge was online today. But I'm glad it's you instead, because you don't have to be as diplomatic. Another question: did Steffey's playing in the wins over Temple and Duke take away the possibility of redshirting this year (which I thought the team was doing with him)? If so, why? Wouldn't having him around for an extra year be better than a few snaps in mop-up duty?

Eric Prisbell: yeah, the coaching staff has been torn on this issue. But Steffy will not redshirt this season and could be used later in the year. Fridge is hoping that the NCAA approves that legislation that will give all players five years of eligibility.

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Oakton, Va: Class of 2005 -- are the Terps close to a commitment from any Blue-chip QBs ?

Eric Prisbell: Not sure if the Terps are close to getting the commitment, but Fridge is with a strong QB prospect today, so that's a good sign for fans.

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Eric Prisbell: Thanks a lot, everyone. That's all we have time for today. I hope everyone has a good weekend, and I'll see everyone here next week to preview the big Georgia Tech game. Take care.

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