April 11, 2001
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland football team opened spring practice on Saturday, March 31st. The pace of practice under first-year head coach Ralph Friedgen has been noticeably faster and the excitement has been evident in the faces of players and coaches alike.
The following is a day-by-day look at some of what went on in week one at the football practice fields:
Saturday, March 31st
- The team practiced in helmets and shorts (no pads) on the turf practice field.
- Practice started off with the Terps broken down by position and working with each of their respective coaches.
- After individual position drills, the Terrapins got together for team drills.
- In the team drills, TB Bruce Perry showed some flashy moves and -- despite the fact that there was no tackling -- made enough cuts to break free for a long run.
- Redshirt freshman WR Steve Suter looked good running with the ball after the catch.
- CB Rovel Hamilton had a nice interception and return.
- A large number of former Terps were in attendance as the team held a picnic at Byrd Stadium for past Maryland lettermen. Among those in attendance were former standouts Boomer Esiason, J.B. Brown and Larry Webster.
Tuesday, April 3
- The Terps again practiced in shorts, but this time it was on grass at the practice fields. It was a nice, sunny day in College Park.
- Wideout Scooter Monroe looked good, making some catches in traffic including one on a fly pattern from Latrez Harrison.
- Redshirt freshman safety Curtis Williams made his presence known with an outstanding shoestring interception.
- The team prepared for Wednesday's practice, their first in full pads.
Wednesday, April 4
- The Terrapins spent their first practice of the spring in full pads. Hitting was light, however, as implementing the offense and defense is still the first order of the day.
- Despite the light hitting, intensity was still high.
- Shaun Hill, incumbent for the starting quarterback role, looked strong. In the offseason, he has shown to be a leader and his grasp of the offense shows in practice.
- As it has been all week, fan turnout was solid at Wednesday's practice.
Thursday, April 5
- Again in full pads, practice began as it had all week with special teams drills. In Thursday's session, CB Tony Okanlawon had a nice play, diving and blocking a field goal attempt by Nick Novak. Novak is competing with senior Vedad Siljkovic to replace standout Brian Kopka.
- Offensive and defensive units squared off against each other (first team offense versus first team defense, etc...) and the first team defense held up well against the number one offense.
- WR Guilian Gary looked as if he hasn't missed a beat from last year as he caught balls from quarterbacks Shaun Hill, Latrez Harrison and Chris Kelly alike.
- It was announced at the media luncheon prior to practice that Calvin McCall dropped out of the hunt for the starting QB race as he has decided to work strictly on basketball.
- S Curtis Williams, who as it turns out is the player who has inherited LaMont Jordan's old number 15, made another outstanding play as he had a diving interception.
- Practice closed with a full-contact, short-yardage drill. The offense had some success, but the defense again came out on top more times than not.
Saturday, April 7
- The Terps wrapped up their first week of spring practice in full pads and on the grass at Byrd Stadium.
- Practice started with position workouts and then moved into a seven-on-seven drill.
- QB Chris Kelley, who sat out with a knee injury a year ago, hit WR Rob Abiamiri on a deep ball over the middle for a touchdown. Kelley looked very good on Saturday and had steadily gotten better as the week progressed. His mobility looks to be okay and he likely throws the best looking ball of all of the Terrapin quarterbacks.
- Like Kelley, the offense seems to have progressed with each practice. On Saturday, it looked the best that it had all week.
- QB Latrez Harrison also had his best day throwing the ball.
- Junior TB Chris Downs had a nice 17-yard TD run in the scrimmage that closed practice.
- The Terp linebacking corps looked good, showing why it is likely the deepest and most talented unit on the field.
This week's practice schedule
(Note: Practice is open to the public, but those interesting in attending must contact Karyl Henry (301-314-7096) in the football office. Media interested in attending should contact Greg Creese at (301) 314-7065.
Tuesday: 3:40 p.m.
Wednesday: Cancelled due to weather (will be re-scheduled)
Thursday: 3:40 p.m.
Saturday: TBA
