Terps Break Camp, Opener Closing In
8/27/2011 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 27, 2011
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Just nine days and six practices remain until Maryland takes on Miami as the Terrapins head into their final week of practice leading up to the Labor Day Showdown at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.
The Terps have already begun installing the game plan they'll use against the Hurricanes despite the traditional game-week schedule not getting underway until Tuesday with opener landing on a Monday.
Hurricane Irene, which is currently hitting the region, did not dampen the Saturday practice plan as the Terps are not scheduled to hit the field again until Sunday.
"We should be fine [for tomorrow]," head coach Randy Edsall said Saturday on a teleconference with reporters. "I think we're going in the afternoon tomorrow. If we have to, we'll move it back. As I understand the weather is supposed to clear by noon time [Sunday]."
Edsall plans on releasing a depth for the season opener either Sunday or Monday as the staff continues to work on personnel groupings.
(Update: Depth chart for Miami posted at noon Monday)
"I feel good about where we're at," Edsall said. "There's a possibility you'll see some `or's' on the depth chart. Not for the starting positions, but more so for the backup positions. We just haven't solidified all three phases yet."
Despite where players land on the depth chart, the first-year head coach is pleased with the progress the team has made since preseason camp opened.
"We've made strides from when we started on Aug. 9," Edsall said. "I feel good that the kids understand the schemes we're playing and they understand about how to execute those schemes. I'm pleased with what's taken place in these practices."
The Terps had their final preseason practice Friday and the team is now moving into regular-season mode.
"Last night was really our last practice for the preseason camp so we're breaking camp," Edsall said. "Now we're getting into the meat and potatoes of it. The other thing we're doing starting tomorrow is getting the players in tune with how we have to practice each week [during the regular season] knowing that we only have 17 1/2 hours per week instead of the normal 20."
Terp Notes:
• Sophomore offensive lineman Pete DeSouza has not played since fracturing bones in both legs during a motor scooter accident in October and he is unlikely to play in a game anytime soon. "I don't think that would happen this year," Edsall said when asked of DeSouza's playing in a game. "I think Pete just has a long way to go and I don't see that probably taking place for Pete this year.
• As of Saturday, defensive lineman Justin Anderson (foot) and offensive lineman Justin Gilbert (knee) are the lone Terps who have been ruled out of the Miami game.
