Football Practice Report No. 6

Aug. 28, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the sixth and final report from this year's fall camp, reporting on workouts from the University of Maryland's football practice fields as the Terrapins prepare for their 2005 campaign. The Terrapins final practice before starting game-week preparations on Monday came today, August 27. Maryland will square off in its season opener against the Naval Academy on September 3rd at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium at 6:00 p.m. (live on CSTV and the Terrapin Sports Radio Network).

Thursday, August 25

The Terps made their way back into Byrd Stadium for their second closed scrimmage of the fall camp, this one with several jobs on the line. The team ran through preparations for the scrimmage as though it was a normal game day.

Right out of the gates, FB Ricardo Dickerson made his presence known in his first day back. After an offsides penalty on the scrimmage's first play, the senior started things off with a pancake block of newcomer Dave Philistin to lead Merrills to a nice gain down the right side. Coach Friedgen would say after the scrimmage that Dickerson was a little rusty but it was good to have him back.

On the first drive of the day, the Sam Hollenbach-led Terps marched right down the field and ultimately scored on a 12-yard reverse to WR Jo Jo Walker. The second team then offense did a nice job of getting out of its own end zone before the ball went back to the first team which moved downfield again and scored on a short pass from Hollenbach to Danny Melendez.

As always, D'Qwell Jackson was in the middle of seemingly every play.

Joel Statham's second drive with the second-team offense was another solid effort, this one capped by a two-yard touchdown run from J.P. Humber.

A nice finish to the third drive, PK Dan Ennis converted a 47-yard field goal to help the first team offense to 17 points on its first three drives.

Notable defensive plays of the day included a 40-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Kevin Barnes on a play where receiver and quarterback were not on the same page. Later in practice, S Christian Varner blasted Melendez for one of the biggest hits of camp. Varner has shown in the last year that fans can expect more of the same this season.

Friday, August 26

Friday's practice could best be described as the team's easiest session of the fall from a physical perscpective. The Terps got into game-week preparations for Navy with a definitive travel squad and scout team.

Newcomer Terrell Skinner, who has looked good in his short time at wide receiver, looks like he will be able to give the team a good look as a quarterback working with the scout team. The Florida native was a standout QB in high school.

Conversely, QB Bobby Sheahin was wearing No. 32 and looked as if he would be working with the defensive scout team for this game. Sheahin is more of a passing quarterback and less suited to giving the offense a Navy-type look.

Practice ended early with conditioning drills for both offense and defense at the close of the session.

Saturday, August 27

Today is the day every person at the UM practice fields has been waiting for - the last day of camp and with its close, the start of the season. The team had a short (20 period) practice designed to keep them mentally sharp and physically healthy, both of which were achieved.

As it had the day previous, the Terps split into the travel squad and scout teams, getting some more looks at the Navy offense and defense a few days in advance of official preparations. Coach Friedgen has mentioned throughout the week that the challenge will be to get the scout team offense to give as close of a look as possible to Navy's offense, but the speed and precision will be nearly impossible to duplicate.

Toward the end of practice, the offense and defense separated and worked on different game-type situations and packages. The offense, for example, ran what was basically a glorified walk-thru at full speed with each play netting it five yards per play, eventually allowing it to make its way to the end zone, and the end of the drill.

After practice, Friedgen told the media that DT Rob Armstrong had decided to have an operation on the bulging discs in his back, an injury that has plagued him since his arrival at Maryland. After surgery and recovery, Armstrong will then re-evaluate his progress and make a decision as to whether to work and rejoin the team or end his collegiate career.

Friedgen when asked about Navy head coach Paul Johnson: "Paul is a heck of a football coach. I followed him when he was in Georgia (Georgia Southern) and he had great success there. I think he could coach anywhere and be successful."

TV/Radio Notes

Coach Friedgen will join the crew from Elliott in the Morning (DC-101, 101.1 FM) this Monday at 7:05 a.m.

Tuesday's press luncheon with the head coach will be available online live at 1:00 p.m. by logging on to www.wmucsports.com.

The first Ralph Friedgen Radio Show on the new Infinity stations in Baltimore (and other affiliates) will be this Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. The show will be available on WHFS, 105.7 FM in Baltimore.

The Maryland Coaches Report on WNST 1570 AM in Baltimore will begin this week on Wednesday at 7:10 a.m. with an interview with offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe.

Players Mentioned

Kevin Barnes

Dave Philistin

Bobby Sheahin

Terrell Skinner

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