Spring Football Practice Report No. 2

April 6, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following are reports from the University of Maryland practice fields from April 4th and 6th, practices three and four in a spring session of 15 outings for the Terp football team. Reports will be filed every Monday and Thursday afternoons as the team progresses toward the annual Red/White game on April 29th (3:00 p.m.).

Tuesday, April 4

Tuesday's session marked a number of firsts for the Terps. It was the team's first day in full pads, the first 7:30 a.m. practice and the first uncomfortably cool and windy day at the practice fields.

Early in the practice, the offensive and defensive lines did battle in pass protection/pass rush drills. Second year tackle Zach Marshall did a solid job in stopping DE Trey Covington on the drill's last play.

The Terps' four players who injured themselves significantly in fall camp last year - Josh Allen, T.D. Callahan, Erin Henderson and Stephon Heyer - have all been playing this spring. Heyer was working at left tackle in half-line skelly on Tuesday, moving very well in what was near a full-contact drill.

Inside running has been a tough go for the Terps early on, though the true test will come when full contact drills begin. Thus far, however, the defensive line has been plugging holes well and first-year middle linebacker starter Wesley Jefferson has looked strong.

A misfire by Sam Hollenbach in team drills resulted in an interception that would have been returned for a touchdown by Josh Wilson. Wilson is in the best shape of his career and looks to be one of the Terps' top honors candidates for 2006.

The injury bug took its first bite out of the team as it was learned that Edwin Williams injured his finger and will have surgery that will keep him out of the spring. The injury leaves the Terps a little thin at center and Williams' progress was one of the lone questions on a very deep and talented offensive line. Those answers will now have to wait until fall.

Friedgen on the Terp quarterbacks: "Jordan (Steffy) and Sam (Hollenbach) are far ahead of the other QBs right now from a mental aspect. They both need to throw the ball a little better though...Sam seems to be doing fine (injury-wise). I see that a day's rest between practices works better for him than back-to-back days."

Thursday, April 6

Like Tuesday, the team was in full pads again but were treated to a much more pleasant morning weather-wise on their last practice before full contact on Saturday.

Several Terrapins were seen testing the new Under Armour cleats at Thursday's practice. Among them were Sam Hollenbach, Danny Oquendo, Lance Ball and Isaiah Gardner. There are many different styles (low top, high top, etc.) and even colors (Josh Portis was wearing one that was white and black while most players had an all black model on). Lance Ball reported when asked following practice that he really liked how they felt.

Jordan Steffy made a couple of big plays in half-line skelly. He hit TE Joey Haynos running down the middle of the field with a perfectly-placed touch pass that would have gone for good yardage. Then later in the session, he threw a dart about 40 yards that hit Danny Oquendo in stride, beating good coverage from Jamari McCullough.

LB Dave Philistin continued his impressive play, providing good coverage in what appeared to be zone that ended up with a spinning interception in front of slot receiver Danny Oquendo.

The team appeared to work on the option a little more in the offensive set today than it had in other practice sessions.

Moises Fokou, a transfer last year, is continuing to impress as he did last year. Wearing the #48 formerly worn by William Kershaw, Fokou seems to be in the right place to make plays a lot of the time and was drawing the praise of teammates throughout Thursday's session.

The receivers blocked well today. Drew Weatherly sealed his man to the outside on one play, clearing room for Lance Ball to get downfield and hearing positive feedback from wideouts coach Bryan Bossard along the way.

Friedgen on Thursday's practice: "We had a pretty good practice today. We're missing some people and a few people aren't full speed, but I would say that offensively, it was the best day we have had yet this spring. When we get some of those guys back like Edwin (Williams; injured finger and will miss the rest of spring) and Gaither (back), I think we will be alright."

Dates to Remember

April 15 -- Scrimmage #1 (10:00 a.m.)

April 22 -- Scrimmage #2 (2:45 p.m.)

April 29 -- Annual Red/White Game (3:00 p.m.)

May 7 -- Maryland Football Gala

September 2 -- Season opener vs. William & Mary (6:00 p.m.)

For updated practice schedules and information on other Maryland football events, visit the Maryland Gridiron Network website.

Players Mentioned

Lance Ball

Trey Covington

Isaiah Gardner

Joey Haynos

Erin Henderson

Danny Oquendo

Dave Philistin

Josh Portis

Jordan Steffy

Edwin Williams

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