Aug. 15, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Following are post-practice comments from Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen, who addressed reporters Wednesday evening shortly after the Terps concluded their first practice in full pads:

On where the team is at right now:
"We've tried to put a lot in with these kids. [Quarterback] Shaun Hill has done a good job of keeping up, but Latrez Harrison has fallen behind. I think what we need to do now is simplify things and get the players some confidence. I wanted to make sure we had some things [in the package] so that when we go back to it later in the season the players will have some recall. It's time to get some continuity and to sharpen things up. Hopefully on Thursday we will have a good walk-through and learn from our mistakes and have a good practice."

On more scrimmages:
"From what I've seen, I think we may have to scrimmage more. I don't like to do that because you take the chance of getting someone hurt, but we are so young offensively that we need to get hardened, we need to get tougher. The offense is always slower to come along, but what troubles me is the turnovers and the lack of regard for the football. You just can't lay the ball on the ground and expect to win games - it's not going to happen. We're going to get that corrected."

On dealing with turnovers:
"It's not uncommon. It's probably as much my fault as anybody's. I've put a lot in, and they've kind of hit the wall. They're tired, too, and they have trouble focusing. I think they'll start coming back and start executing."

On the defense:
"They are doing a good job, especially up front. They are getting off the ball and playing low and playing very physical. When they do that, it frees our linebackers up. The defense is playing well."