More MGN Updates from Spring Practice

A couple of updates on the Terps Spring Practice, compliments of Mike Lynn of the Maryland Gridiron Network. I appreciate his updates and look forward to the annual Red-White game at the end of the month where I will put my camera to good use. Stay tuned and thanks again to Mike and the MGN for all they do for us Terps Football fans!

Spring Practice Update April 11, 2011

MARYLAND Finishes Second Week of Spring Practice
Maryland has nine more workouts remaining, including annual Red-White Game on Saturday, April 30

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The second week of spring practice is in the books for the Maryland football team as Maryland held their sixth practice Saturday afternoon.

The team incorporated more game-like situations into last week's final workout.

"We've made progress [this spring]," head coach Randy Edsall said Monday on a conference call with reporters. "We had a scrimmage [for part of practice] on Saturday with about 80 or 90 plays. There were times when the offense did some really good things, and there were times when the defense also did some really good things. That's what you want to see as a coach in the springtime; you don't want to see one [side of the ball] to dominate the other."

However, Edsall is looking for more dedication to the mental aspect of the game.

"One thing though, is that I think we aren't as mentally tough a football team for my liking," the first-year coach said. "We've got to learn how to play every play like it's the last one. We've got to learn that you give it everything you got on one play, and then when that play is done, you go to the next play. We have to play as hard at the end of scrimmages as we do at the beginning."

Edsall remains pleased with the moves on the defensive side of the ball which included position switches for Darin Drakeford (Sam LB to Will LB), Demetrius Hartsfield (Will LB to Mike LB) and Kenny Tate (strong Safety to Star).

"We've been able to evaluate guys, and we've got to do a little more tinkering this week, nothing really big though," Edsall said. "The guys that we've moved, we've got to make sure they're in the right place, and we need to get the best guys on the field. They've made a lot of progress from the first week to the second. There are many guys showing their abilities quite well, and I do like the personnel and how it is set up now. We are going to see this week how everyone will start getting comfortable [in their roles]."

Edsall noted that Justin Anderson has moved from defensive tackle back to defensive end. The junior has played both inside and outside on the defensive line during his career. Anderson started all 13 games at anchor, a strongside end position, last season. He moved to tackle at the start of spring practice.

Maryland has nine more practices, including the annual Red-White Spring game on Saturday, April 30. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. from Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium. Admission is free and the game will cap off Maryland Day, a University-sponsored family celebration.

MARYLAND Notes
Opening at Left Tackle: Junior Justin Gilbert, who missed most of last season after injuring his left knee, is likely out until October. The left tackle suffered a non-contact injury in the first week of practice and had surgery Thursday to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the same knee. Gilbert entered last season as the starter, but was injured against West Virginia (9/19) and did not play in the final 10 games. Gilbert has seen action in 14 career games, including three starts. "I feel bad for Justin," Edsall said. "He was chomping at the bit to get out there." Sophomore Max Garcia, who played in two games last season as a true freshman, moves to No. 1 on the depth chart at left tackle. "I like the ability that he brings to that position," Edsall said. "We've got to get him better technically, but he's got the feet, and he's got the mental toughness and attitude that I'm looking for. He's a youngster that has to keep improving, but I really think he has a bright future."

Brown Off to Strong Start: Sophomore Danny O'Brien is atop the depth after his stellar first season with MARYLAND which included earning the ACC Freshman of the Year award, but C.J. Brown, who missed nearly all of last season with a shoulder injury, has been impressive so far this spring. "C.J. Brown is putting pressure on Danny O'Brien," Edsall said. "He's playing really well, and I like the things that he's doing. He does a very good job in the huddle." The sophomore, who is the backup on the depth chart, saw action in just one game (vs. Morgan State) last season. Redshirt freshman Tyler Smith is third on the depth chart and Edsall has been impressed with all of the quarterbacks. "We're in a very good situation with this spot," Edsall said. "I think everyone always needs someone pushing them and someone behind them. As a coach you want competition with every position because you don't want anyone to be too comfortable or complacent."

Depth at Tight End: With all four tight ends returning from last season, Maryland should have plenty of depth at that position. Junior Matt Furstenburg is penciled in as the starter, but veterans Devonte Campbell, Ryan Schlothauer and Dave Stinebaugh have all seen time. Furstenburg had a team-best 17.2 yards-per-catch last season on 12 receptions. "I like what I see from Matt and if he continues to improve then I think he can become a good tight end," Edsall said. Schlothauer has also been impressive. "He is putting himself in a spot to be a contributor at that position and on special teams," Edsall said. "We're going to have four guys there and that gives us an advantage."

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Terps Complete First Week of Practice

Maryland has 12 more workouts; Terps will cap spring with annual Red-White Game on Saturday, April 30

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team completed its first week of spring practice Saturday after the Terps worked out for the third time.

"It was great getting on the field for the first time," head coach Randy Edsall said Monday on a conference call with reporters.

The Terps have only held one practice in pads. Per NCAA rules, the team is not allowed to wear pads during the first two spring workouts.

"You can only find out so much in those first three days because of the limitations," Edsall said. "But we did a lot of work with different personnel groups. We got a lot of work on red zone and two-minute."

Edsall liked what he saw in those situations.

"All in all I thought we got a lot accomplished," Edsall said. "I thought by the third practice, the young men really understood the tempo that we want to practice with and the intensity we want to practice with. I think those first three days were very good ones."

The Terps, who will be in pads this week, will ramp it up a little more over the next three practices, focusing on the two-minute drill, installing blitz packages and a variety of offensive and defensive situations.

The team will have 12 more practices, including three scrimmages, this spring. The Terps will cap the spring with the annual Red-White game on Saturday, April 30.

"This is a big week for us," Edsall said. "We'll be installing more [on both sides of the ball]."

Edsall has been pleased with the overall effort with the team.

"Overall, they are learning and working," Edsall said. "Now they've got to master all of their assignments so they can play at an even faster level."

Terp Notes:
Specialists Update: Two spots which need to be filled for 2011 are punter and place-kicker. Travis Baltz handled both chores last season. Nick Ferrara and Michael Tart, the only two kickers on the current roster, each worked at both punter and place-kicker last week. Ferrara, who was the No. 1 place-kicker in 2009, made a 37-yard field goal in game-like conditions at the end of Saturday's practice which featured rain and intermittent hail. Edsall also praised the efforts of long snappers Tim Downs and Greg Parcher. The Terps have not had a punt blocked in the last 137 games, the longest streak in the nation. Downs has been the No. 1 long snapper the last two seasons. Parcher served as his backup last year.

Position Changes: Edsall likes what he's seen of the position moves of David Mackall (Mike LB to defensive end) and Kenny Tate (strong safety to Star). "I think they're right in the exact spots for their abilities, plus for what we want to do schematically and to get our best 11 players on the field." The Star position in defensive coordinator Todd Bradford's scheme is a hybrid between a strong safety and outside linebacker.

Injury Update: Edsall indicated there were no serious injuries in camp last week. Jeremiah Wilson, who moved from defensive back to running back, missed some time after tweaking a hamstring. RB Gary Douglas is also nursing a sore hamstring. Those two injuries, though, necessitated the coaching staff to move both Kwabena Ofori and Desmond Haynes from the defensive backfield to tailback to provide some short-term depth. Taylor Watson, who is in a battle for fullback snaps with Haroon Brown and Rahsaan Moore, also missed some time last week.

APR Update: The department of athletics announced Saturday the loss of three football scholarships for the 2011 season due to an unfavorable upcoming Academic Progress Report (APR) and Edsall addressed the situation Monday.

"We'll be compliant with the 82 [scholarships] for August and the thing is we have to play the cards that we were dealt," Edsall said. "A lot of people were unaware of it, but we'll deal with it. I'm not going to focus on the past. I'm going to focus on the now and the future. I feel really, really good about the things we are putting into place to allow our young men to be successful in the classroom. They understand they are going to be held to a high standard.

"I'm a guy who thinks we can get it done right away and that's what we'll shoot for," Edsall said. "That's my timetable to get this thing fixed, and hopefully we'll get most of it fixed by the end of the semester. We have to get this plan in place and the young men attuned to it, and they're doing that."


Terrapins Rising: Turtle Bytes Take Three
Terps talk about the first day of spring practice

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - This week's webisode of Terrapins Rising: Turtle Bytes can be viewed on TerpsTV and the Maryland Athletics YouTube channel.

The Terps discuss hitting the practice field for the first time this spring as the squad worked out Tuesday.

The webisodes debuted earlier this month and will run weekly during 2011. Upcoming ones will focus on spring practice, the first under head coach Randy Edsall.

Former Terp Jess Atkinson is producing the content. Atkinson produces Maryland football television shows, including Terrapins Rising which will air for the fifth season this summer

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