Randy Edsall can’t catch a break.
He’s only been at the helm of the Terrapins football team for 19 months, yet has had enough setbacks and catastrophes to fill a storied career. His team finished 2-10 in his debut season. Thirteen of his players — including former ACC Rookie of the Year Danny O’Brien — transferred to other schools. He’s been questioned by his players, criticized by the media and chastised by the fans.
But it finally seemed like things could start improving. After all, they couldn’t possibly get any worse, right?
Apparently they can.
Edsall announced yesterday that junior quarterback C.J. Brown — the man with the only (relatively) proven arm in College Park — would miss the entire season after suffering a torn ACL in a non-contact drill Tuesday night.
It’s a step back for a team that finally seemed to be trending up. No one expected a major leap, but with a more experienced roster and the addition of Edsall’s first real recruiting class, an improvement upon last year’s two-win season seemed all but certain. Now, two wins may be optimistic.
But does it really matter? After last season, it’s clear Edsall is building for the future. He’s not about making a non-descript bowl appearance. He’s about developing something special, something worth cherishing.
Brown’s injury doesn’t change that. Sure, the Terps probably won’t reach the .500 mark for the third time in four years. And sure, Edsall’s squad will likely finish at the bottom of the ACC.
But what’s the difference between a four-win season and a two-win season? Losing is losing. Not to mention, Brown’s injury could actually help the Terps in the long run.
Two true freshmen — Perry Hills and Caleb Row — will now battle for reps behind center. Even though they’re sure to have plenty of growing pains this season, they’ll be experienced when it matters. They’ll know how to make the right play when they’re playing games that count, games with long-term significance.
And Edsall will be there to watch it happen. From a purely football standpoint, an injury like Brown’s is simply an unavoidable setback. Athletic Director Kevin Anderson has long supported Edsall, and the two share the same philosophies when it comes to how the team should represent the university. Edsall is only in the second season of a six-year contract, and he’ll be given enough time to build the program he wants to build.
Brown’s injury is just the latest in a long list of setbacks Edsall and the Terps have been forced to struggle through. It might take a win or two off the Terps’ projected total this season, but the Terps’ future outlook remains positive.
Provided, of course, that Edsall finally catches a break.
vitale@umdbk.com
