Preseason Football Camp Log: Day One
8/6/2007 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 6, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, MD. - Ralph Friedgen and the University of Maryland football team had a busy opening day of preseason camp.
The Terps' head coach, heading into his seventh season, along with his players and assistant coaches, kicked off the 2007 preseason Monday with the annual Media Day event before hitting the field for the first of 24 preseason workouts.
"It's the start of a new season and I'm really excited about it," Friedgen said at his season-opening press conference. "I think the kids have had good winter workouts and good spring and summer workouts. Now it's the fourth quarter and it's time to find out what kind of work we've really done in preparation for the upcoming season."
The afternoon workout, on the Terps' practice facility, lasted approximately two and a half hours, and the team looked to be in good condition despite the soaring temperatures.
After stretches, the team broke for position-based drills, and the quarterbacks and wide receivers combined their groups to work on route-running and timing.
The team, practicing in helmets and shorts, also installed various inside running plays, including draws, dives, and off-tackle plays. The offensive linemen worked on blocking assignments for those drills, while the defensive linemen held pads and were blocked backwards.
The quarterbacks and receivers installed pass plays as well, working only against the defensive backs. All five quarterbacks had their moments in the session.
Sophomore Chris Turner threw a well placed ball down the sidelines for a touchdown, as the wideout blew past his defender. Bobby Sheahin also had a long touchdown pass and junior Jordan Steffy, who sits atop the depth chart, consistently threw the ball with precision. Freshman Jamarr Robinson threw a pretty ball to Adrian Cannon on a corner route for a score.
Practice concluded with three team sessions, which pitted the offense and defense against each other with light contact. The defense seemed ahead of their offensive counterparts in this early stage of camp, and a number of defenders at each level of the defense stood out with excellent plays.
Terrell Skinner, who currently sits at second on the depth chart at free safety, helped his cause for more playing time as he snagged the only two interceptions of the day. The sophomore returned both for more than 30 yards.
Junior Mack Frost tagged Turner for a sack and fellow defensive lineman Dean Muhtadi shoved off blockers to swallow up a runner in the backfield.
Linebacker Jarred Harrell notched a sack early on in team drills, and exploded into the backfield again near the end of the day to strip the ball from Sheahin.
The offensive play of the day came on a deep throw by quarterback Josh Portis. The sophomore stepped up in the pocket and delivered a perfectly placed ball to Cannon, who was streaking across the middle of the defense on a seam route. Cannon quickly turned up field and scored untouched.
Friedgen said afterwards he was particularly impressed with the improvement in Portis' footwork.
As for the freshmen, who were experiencing their first collegiate training camp in the summer heat, Friedgen said that they definitely looked a little overwhelmed, although he was impressed with wide receivers Tony Logan and Torrey Smith.
The team is planning to hit the field tomorrow at 4 p.m. for its second workout, but Friedgen indicated the team may adjust its schedule this week to avoid hot and humid conditions.
With temperatures expected to reach near 100 degrees in the next few days, the Terps may move practice later in the evening.
All practices and scrimmages remain closed to the public, while credentialed members of the media may attend the first 30 minutes of each workout, except scrimmages.
