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Terps Don Pads for the First Time

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Terps Don Pads for the First Time

Aug. 13, 2011

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    COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team held its fifth preseason workout, and first in full pads, Saturday morning at the on-campus practice facility.

    After two days in jerseys and shorts and another two in shoulder pads, head coach Randy Edsall and his staff can get a little closer to determining the starting lineups for the season opener against Miami which is just over three weeks away.

    "I'm just trying to find out who are the guys that are going to play for us, at all the positions," Edsall said about practicing in pads after Saturday's two-hour practice. "How many can we count on going into the game? How many defensive linemen can we count on? Is it seven, eight? How many offensive linemen can we count on? Is it going to be 10, is it going to be eight, is it going to be seven? Those are the things I'm looking for [at practice]."

    Edsall and the staff put the team in a number of game-like situations Saturday, including goal-line, short yardage and red zone. Game officials were also on hand.

    "You put full pads on for the first time, and what you have to do is like any practice - you're going to find good things and you're going to find things that you don't like in all three phases that [we] worked on today," Edsall said.

    For nearly a quarter of the roster this is their first experience practicing at this level.

    "There is a lot thrown at them," Edsall said. "Some of their heads are swimming, especially the young guys. They have to understand they can handle a lot more than they think they can mentally."

    Edsall is looking to see which players will move to the top of the depth chart.

    "For me it was a chance to evaluate more guys in a situation where we have to be physically and mentally tough," Edsall said. "We'll learn a lot from just the little bit we did today. Again, as we move forward I'm trying to find those guys that I know are going to go out there and just lay it on the line, that we can trust and that can be counted on to give us everything they have for 60 minutes. That's what I'm trying to evaluate."

    The Terps will hold their first double session of the preseason Sunday. The team is scheduled to practice once in the morning and again in the evening, though the weather forecast is calling for rain showers during the day.

    Maryland will hold its first of three preseason scrimmages Monday and its annual Media Day on Tuesday. Edsall will address the media at 1:45 p.m. and the four team captains - Andrew Gonnella, Davin Meggett, Kenny Tate and Joe Vellano - will follow at approximately 2 p.m. Click here to watch on TerpsTV Premium.

    Terp Notes:

    First Team Offense Sharp in Red Zone: After the defense stopped the offense on 13 of 17 red-zone plays Thursday, the offense rebounded with a sound performance Saturday, particularly the first unit. In one session, Danny O'Brien went 5-for-6 with two passing touchdowns and an 11-yard rushing TD. O'Brien hit Kerry Boykins in the right corner of the end zone for one score and later, on a play action, rolled out to his left and threw across his body to tight end Matt Furstenburg from 3 yards out. Boykins was on the receiving end of three of O'Brien's five completions.

    Anderson Sidelined: Edsall said defensive lineman Justin Anderson will miss a minimum of six weeks after undergoing surgery Friday on his left foot. A junior, Anderson started all 13 games a year ago and totaled 22 tackles, along with 5 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks. He was injured in practice earlier this week.

    Tailback Depth: Davin Meggett and D.J. Adams appear to have a hold on the top two tailback positions, but freshmen Jeremiah Wilson, Justus Pickett and Brandon Ross have also opened some eyes. "There is great competition at tailback," Edsall said. "Jeremiah Wilson, I like the things that he's doing; I like the things that both the young kids are doing, Justus and Brandon." Edsall also indicated there are battles going on at cornerback and for back-up positions at linebacker, among other spots.

    Single-Game Football Tickets On Sale: Season tickets for Maryland's seven-game schedule which includes contests vs. Miami, West Virginia, Clemson and Virginia, remain are on sale for as low as $130, but single-game tickets are now available through Maryland Athletics by calling 1-800-462-TERP or clicking here. In addition, three-game flex plans are available for as low as $84.

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    Players Mentioned

    Matt Furstenburg

    #89 Matt Furstenburg

    TE
    6' 3"
    Freshman
    Andrew Gonnella

    #78 Andrew Gonnella

    OL
    6' 4"
    Freshman
    Joe Vellano

    #95 Joe Vellano

    DL
    6' 3"
    Freshman
    D.J. Adams

    #31 D.J. Adams

    RB
    5' 10"
    Freshman
    Justin Anderson

    #50 Justin Anderson

    D
    6' 5"
    Freshman
    Kerry Boykins

    #13 Kerry Boykins

    WR
    6' 0"
    Redshirt
    Davin Meggett

    #8 Davin Meggett

    RB
    5' 8"
    Sophomore
    Danny O

    #18 Danny O'Brien

    QB
    6' 3"
    Freshman
    Kenny Tate

    #12 Kenny Tate

    DB
    6' 4"
    Sophomore
    Jeremiah Wilson

    #31 Jeremiah Wilson

    DB
    5' 10"
    Freshman
    Justus Pickett

    #44 Justus Pickett

    RB
    5' 10"
    Freshman
    Brandon Ross

    #45 Brandon Ross

    RB
    5' 11"
    Freshman

    Players Mentioned

    Matt Furstenburg

    #89 Matt Furstenburg

    6' 3"
    Freshman
    TE
    Andrew Gonnella

    #78 Andrew Gonnella

    6' 4"
    Freshman
    OL
    Joe Vellano

    #95 Joe Vellano

    6' 3"
    Freshman
    DL
    D.J. Adams

    #31 D.J. Adams

    5' 10"
    Freshman
    RB
    Justin Anderson

    #50 Justin Anderson

    6' 5"
    Freshman
    D
    Kerry Boykins

    #13 Kerry Boykins

    6' 0"
    Redshirt
    WR
    Davin Meggett

    #8 Davin Meggett

    5' 8"
    Sophomore
    RB
    Danny O

    #18 Danny O'Brien

    6' 3"
    Freshman
    QB
    Kenny Tate

    #12 Kenny Tate

    6' 4"
    Sophomore
    DB
    Jeremiah Wilson

    #31 Jeremiah Wilson

    5' 10"
    Freshman
    DB
    Justus Pickett

    #44 Justus Pickett

    5' 10"
    Freshman
    RB
    Brandon Ross

    #45 Brandon Ross

    5' 11"
    Freshman
    RB