Preseason Football Camp Log: Day One
8/10/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2010
Media Day Photo Gallery | Day One Practice Photo Gallery
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team hit the field for a spirited two-hour workout at the on-campus practice facility Tuesday evening, finishing off a busy first day of preseason camp.
Amidst temperatures in the upper-90s, the Terps spent much of the practice working on individual drills to help acclimate 21 newcomers and refresh veterans among the group of 105 student-athletes in camp.
Maryland has 24 preseason workouts scheduled and head coach Ralph Friedgen was encouraged by what he saw in the first one.
"The kids showed they worked hard over the summer," said Friedgen. "We're a little further along in some areas than I thought. I think it got hot out there at the end and they got a little tired, but overall I thought it was a good first day."
Jamarr Robinson, who proved to be a dangerous dual-threat quarterback while filling in for an injured Chris Turner last year, enters camp atop the depth chart. The Terps also have a pair of talented redshirt freshmen in Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown, who spent a year learning offensive coordinator James Franklin's system and look ready to contribute.
"I saw more of a leadership role by Jamarr (today)," said Friedgen. "I thought his fundamentals were better. I thought his reads were better. The guy that kind of showed some improvement was C.J. Brown. I thought he did some things better than he did in the spring. I sat in a meeting with him and to me he was a lot sharper than he has been, so maybe he's starting to mature a little bit."
The team held its annual Media Day, which included a photo shoot and interviews, earlier in the day.
Friedgen addressed the media in a 30-minute news conference at Gossett Team House to open the day and members of the media later spent about an hour interviewing players and assistant coaches.
Friedgen, along with the players, were eager to kick off preseason camp.
"We're excited about being here," said Friedgen at the news conference. "We're excited to get started. We had a great meeting last night with our players. They really had a great summer, so I'm very excited to get started and work with these guys. I think we have an excellent nucleus."
Maryland returns 51 letterwinners from last season, including 12 offensive and defensive starters and all four special-teams performers. Senior linebacker Alex Wujciak and junior wide receiver/kick returner Torrey Smith earned preseason All-ACC accolades and a total of eight players have earned all-conference and/or All-America honors.
Terp Notes:
Media Day Tidbits: Friedgen announced some changes with the preseason camp roster at Tuesday's Media Day news conference. Avery Murray, who was the listed as the backup at Mike linebacker behind Alex Wujciak, has left the team for personal reasons. Sophomore Ryan Donohue moves up a spot on the depth chart. Redshirt freshman De'Onte Arnett, a reserve defensive tackle, will also miss preseason camp. He was diagnosed with a cyst on his ankle and will be out of action about six weeks. Taylor Watson is the only other member of the two-deep who will not be a part of the 105-man preseason roster. Watson had knee surgery in the spring and is not expected back until next month ... the hot and potential story weather in the area over the next few days may cause an adjustment in the practice schedule. The team has already moved Wednesday's practice from the afternoon to morning and may do the same on Thursday. The Terps first multiple practice day is Monday, which will also be the first of three preseason scrimmages.
