Maryland held its fourth practice of the preseason Friday night, a day before it will don full pads for the first time.
Head coach Ralph Friedgen, who praised his team's effort and execution on Thursday, said that although he wasn't as pleased with Friday's session he felt good about what the team has accomplished during the first week of camp.
"I feel good. Yesterday I felt really good because I thought we were playing at a really high level," said Friedgen. "One of the things I talked to them about is the difference between good teams and great teams. Good teams play good some of the time; great teams play good all of the time. That's what you have to learn how to do."
One area where Friedgen said he is seeing growth is the offensive line. While the Terps spent much of the 2009 season with an inexperienced line, they entered preseason camp with a better idea of who will be where as four of the five starting spots are solidified.
Senior Paul Pinegar is penciled in at center, sophomores Justin Gilbert and R.J. Dill will man the tackle spots and junior Andrew Gonnella is expected to start at left guard. Sophomores Justin Lewis and Bennett Fulper are battling for the No. 1 right guard slot.
Friedgen said he has been pleased in what he's seen thus far from the No. 1 unit, noting that consistency can be a key to success.
"R.J. Dill is a lot more sure of what he's doing; so is Justin Lewis and Gonnella," said Friedgen. "The other thing that's helped is we've kind of settled in with Gonnella playing next to Gilbert. I'd like to settle in at right guard. Fulper will do some good things and then he'll do something bad and the same with Lewis. I'd like to get that solidified so that Dill is working with the same guy all the time."
Jamarr Robinson also continued to impress with his decision-making and quickness. A year ago Robinson entered camp as the backup behind Chris Turner, but as the No. 1 signal-caller this season Robinson has impressed the coaching staff with his enthusiasm and leadership.
"I see him really showing some leadership qualities," said Friedgen. "He still gives you that element of being able to scramble. He's not making foolish decisions. That's what I like about him. He's not making every throw and he's not doing everything perfectly but he's not doing stupid things, the things that get you beat. That's a real positive I think right now. Even today when things weren't going as well as yesterday he was in there encouraging guys and making a couple of plays. I see him growing up. He's much further along than last year just from a confidence standpoint."
The Terps have been hit by the injury bug at tight end.
Senior Will Yeatman, who joined the team this summer after playing lacrosse the last two seasons at Maryland, broke a finger on his left hand during Thursday's practice. He had surgery Friday and is likely out of action up to six weeks.
"It'll be tough on him because he wasn't at spring practice with us and now he's going to miss training camp," Friedgen said. "The positive thing is, he was here in the summer, but that's not quite the same."
The Terps have also been without tight end Lansford Watson the last few days. The junior has a slight tear in his MCL. He was evaluated by the medical staff the last couple days and hopes to return to practice Monday.
However, sophomores Devonte Campbell and Matt Furstenburg have seen game action at both the team's tight end positions.
Redshirt freshman Dave Stinebaugh and sophomore Ryan Schlothauer also give the Terps depth at that position.
The Terps will have single practice Saturday, take Sunday off and hold their first two-a-day session Monday.
One area where Friedgen said he is seeing growth is the offensive line. While the Terps spent much of the 2009 season with an inexperienced line, they entered preseason camp with a better idea of who will be where as four of the five starting spots are solidified.
Senior Paul Pinegar is penciled in at center, sophomores Justin Gilbert and R.J. Dill will man the tackle spots and junior Andrew Gonnella is expected to start at left guard. Sophomores Justin Lewis and Bennett Fulper are battling for the No. 1 right guard slot.
Friedgen said he has been pleased in what he's seen thus far from the No. 1 unit, noting that consistency can be a key to success.
"R.J. Dill is a lot more sure of what he's doing; so is Justin Lewis and Gonnella," said Friedgen. "The other thing that's helped is we've kind of settled in with Gonnella playing next to Gilbert. I'd like to settle in at right guard. Fulper will do some good things and then he'll do something bad and the same with Lewis. I'd like to get that solidified so that Dill is working with the same guy all the time."
Jamarr Robinson also continued to impress with his decision-making and quickness. A year ago Robinson entered camp as the backup behind Chris Turner, but as the No. 1 signal-caller this season Robinson has impressed the coaching staff with his enthusiasm and leadership.
"I see him really showing some leadership qualities," said Friedgen. "He still gives you that element of being able to scramble. He's not making foolish decisions. That's what I like about him. He's not making every throw and he's not doing everything perfectly but he's not doing stupid things, the things that get you beat. That's a real positive I think right now. Even today when things weren't going as well as yesterday he was in there encouraging guys and making a couple of plays. I see him growing up. He's much further along than last year just from a confidence standpoint."
The Terps have been hit by the injury bug at tight end.
Senior Will Yeatman, who joined the team this summer after playing lacrosse the last two seasons at Maryland, broke a finger on his left hand during Thursday's practice. He had surgery Friday and is likely out of action up to six weeks.
"It'll be tough on him because he wasn't at spring practice with us and now he's going to miss training camp," Friedgen said. "The positive thing is, he was here in the summer, but that's not quite the same."
The Terps have also been without tight end Lansford Watson the last few days. The junior has a slight tear in his MCL. He was evaluated by the medical staff the last couple days and hopes to return to practice Monday.
However, sophomores Devonte Campbell and Matt Furstenburg have seen game action at both the team's tight end positions.
Redshirt freshman Dave Stinebaugh and sophomore Ryan Schlothauer also give the Terps depth at that position.
The Terps will have single practice Saturday, take Sunday off and hold their first two-a-day session Monday.
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