Spring Football Report: Practice Nos. 4 & 5
April 3, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team completed its fifth practice of the spring Thursday morning and closes out its second week of workouts Saturday.
Saturday's practice will feature a mock scrimmage for the last hour of the workout as the coaching staff continues to evaluate a roster which returns 39 letterwinners, including 10 offensive and defensive starters, from a season ago.
"I think we've shown a lot of enthusiasm this spring, but I'm anxious to see where we're at," head coach Ralph Friedgen said about Saturday's practice. "We'll take a look at protection along the offensive line. We're young there and the blitzes are tough to pick up."
Maryland is installing a new defensive under first-year coordinator Don Brown and the staff began implementing blitz packages Tuesday.
"We made some corrections after Tuesday's practice, but (the defense) put more in today," Friedgen said after Thursday's workout. "Typically the defensive is ahead of the offense at this point."
Saturday's practice is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the on-campus practice facility. In all, Maryland has 10 practices remaining including two scrimmages (April 11 and 18) and the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 25 (3:30 p.m. ET at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium).
Practice sessions are open to the media and general public, though fans must contact the football office (301-314-9057) to gain access.
Terp Notes:
Wide Receiver Depth: The Terps lost one of the best wideouts in school history when Darrius Heyward-Bey opted to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2009 NFL Draft, but wide receiver looks like one of the deepest positions on the team. Heyward-Bey led the team in receptions (42) and receiving yards (609), but Torrey Smith, Ronnie Tyler, Emani Lee-Odai, Adrian Cannon and Quintin McCree showed promise last season and will battle with Tony Logan, Kevin Dorsey, Kerry Boykins and LaQuan Williams (out for the spring with a foot injury) for time in the fall. Smith, who took over as the starter at X receiver midway through last season, is the top returning receiver in terms of receptions (24) and yards (336), though Tyler and Cannon were major contributors in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl win. Friedgen likes the depth at wide receiver. "I don't think there's a (wide receiver) we have that can't play," Friedgen said last week. "It's just who's going to compete to be the starters. We've got to get them in the right spot. Of the scholarship kids, they all should be ready to play by next year." One player who has stood out in the spring is Dorsey, who had two foot surgeries over the last 18 months. He has made a number of impressive catches this spring. "I knew he was an exceptional athlete," Friedgen said Tuesday. "But he's made some plays. He's close to 100 percent. Hopefully it's going to continue to work out. It's a great story."
O-Line Shuffle: When the Terps open the 2009 season on Sept. 5 at California, just one member of the offensive line is expected to start at the same spot as last year. Bruce Campbell took over as the starting left tackle midway through 2008 and is expected to open the season at that position. The rest of the spots will have a new starter. Senior Phil Costa was the starting right guard last season, but moves to center this year. He'll have two new starters on each side. Sophomore Lamar Young opened the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at left guard and redshirt freshman Justin Lewis is the No. 1 right guard. Despite their inexperience, Friedgen likes the progress of the two guards. "They're doing better that I thought they'd do," Friedgen said after Tuesday's practice. "They're doing the little things well. They're hitting their landmarks, how they're stepping, they're very aggressive on their assignments." Junior Paul Pinegar and sophomore Tyler Bowen are among those battling for the starting right tackle spot. Pinegar has played in 12 career games as a reserve at right, while Bowen has battled injuries the last two years. Bowen practiced for the first time Tuesday. "I'm anxious to see if we can get him back to (100 percent)," Friedgen said Tuesday. "That would really help us."
Practice Notes: Redshirt freshmen Gary Douglas and Justin Gilbert were each hurt during drills Saturday and missed part of the workout. Neither injury was serious. Gilbert, a back up at left tackle, ruptured a bursa sac in his knee and should return next week. Douglas tweaked an ankle, but returned to the practice field Tuesday ... Friedgen has been impressed with the play of defensive linemen Travis Ivey and Derek Drummond so far in the spring. Ivey was hampered by a foot injury in preseason camp last year which lingered through much of the year. "Travis has really stepped his game up," Friedgen said Tuesday. "From winter workouts all the way through he's really matured as a young man. If he continues to improve, he'll have a future in football." Drummond saw action as a reserve at LEO last season and is currently No. 1 on the depth chart at defensive end. "He seems to be making play after play," Friedgen said Tuesday. "His pass rush looks a lot better this year."
Season Tickets on Sale: Maryland football season-ticket renewals and new season tickets are now available. A variety of season-ticket options are available with prices starting as low as $135. Family 4-Packs are also available for $500. For the first time, the Maryland ticket office is offering a season ticket payment plan which allows fans to spread the cost over four installments. For ticket information, call the Maryland ticket office at 1-800-462-TERP or click here
2009 Maryland Spring Football Practice Schedule
Day, Date (Time)Saturday, April 4 (10 a.m.)
Tuesday, April 7 (8 a.m.)
Thursday, April 9 (8 a.m.)
Saturday, April 11 (10 a.m.)#
Tuesday, April 14 (8 a.m.)
Thursday, April 16 (8 a.m.)
Saturday, April 18 (10 a.m.)#
Tuesday, April 21 (8 a.m.)
Thursday, April 23 (8 a.m.)
Saturday, April 25 (3:30 p.m.)&
# - Scrimmage at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium
