Over the last few days, the Maryland football team has moved from preseason mode into regular season preparation.
The Terps have already begun installing offensive and defensive schemes for the season opener with Navy which is close to two weeks away.
The team had its second and final scrimmage Monday evening and responded Tuesday with a sharp two-hour practice.
"I was pleased with practice today," head coach Ralph Friedgen said. "We had 137 plays in the scrimmage yesterday so it was a long one. We came out and practiced pretty good today, which was a good sign. Most of the time they're all beat up and sore (after a long scrimmage). It helped that it was cooler, no doubt about it. But I like the way they responded today."
Like most teams in preseason camp, the Terps have battled through some injuries, but those setbacks have opened the door for others.
Junior Cameron Chism, the team's No. 1 cornerback, has been out of action for a number of days, but is close to returning to form.
Friedgen said Chism, who has missed time this preseason while battling a hamstring injury, is getting healthier. He participated in individual drills Tuesday and could be ready to return to full practice in the coming days.
"We're not pushing him," Friedgen said. "He told me he may go tomorrow...we don't want to rush him and then him pull it again."
Chism's injury has enabled redshirt freshman Dexter McDougle to get a number of reps that might not have been there if Chism were healthy, and the experience has paid off.
McDougle and junior Trenton Hughes are in a battle for the starting cornerback spot opposite Chism and Friedgen noted McDougle has a slight edge. "McDougle has really had a very good camp. He and Hughes are battling it out. I'm not disappointed with Hughes, either. I think he's going to play a lot of football."
Similar injury setbacks have created opportunities for tight ends Matt Furstenburg and Dave Stinebaugh. Both have taken most of the first-team reps the last week of camp, and the two combined for seven catches in Monday's scrimmage.
"Furstenburg is playing the best he's ever played," Friedgen said. "Stinebaugh has really improved. He's not a finished product yet but he's a heck of a lot further along than I thought he'd be (right now)."
The Terps will hold their final two-a-day session Wednesday with practices scheduled for the morning and evening. Practices are closed to the general public.
Practice Notes: Instead of holding meetings after Monday evening's scrimmage, the team went to the movies, taking in The Expendables ... tight end Devonte Campbell, who just recently returned to practice after a concussion, suffered a knee strain in Monday's scrimmage and is out of action two to four weeks ... Lansford Watson had his knee surgery Tuesday. The junior tight end injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee, though the medical team also found a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). "It was a good thing we got it done early," Friedgen said. Recovery time is roughly six months.
Like most teams in preseason camp, the Terps have battled through some injuries, but those setbacks have opened the door for others.
Junior Cameron Chism, the team's No. 1 cornerback, has been out of action for a number of days, but is close to returning to form.
Friedgen said Chism, who has missed time this preseason while battling a hamstring injury, is getting healthier. He participated in individual drills Tuesday and could be ready to return to full practice in the coming days.
"We're not pushing him," Friedgen said. "He told me he may go tomorrow...we don't want to rush him and then him pull it again."
Chism's injury has enabled redshirt freshman Dexter McDougle to get a number of reps that might not have been there if Chism were healthy, and the experience has paid off.
McDougle and junior Trenton Hughes are in a battle for the starting cornerback spot opposite Chism and Friedgen noted McDougle has a slight edge. "McDougle has really had a very good camp. He and Hughes are battling it out. I'm not disappointed with Hughes, either. I think he's going to play a lot of football."
Similar injury setbacks have created opportunities for tight ends Matt Furstenburg and Dave Stinebaugh. Both have taken most of the first-team reps the last week of camp, and the two combined for seven catches in Monday's scrimmage.
"Furstenburg is playing the best he's ever played," Friedgen said. "Stinebaugh has really improved. He's not a finished product yet but he's a heck of a lot further along than I thought he'd be (right now)."
The Terps will hold their final two-a-day session Wednesday with practices scheduled for the morning and evening. Practices are closed to the general public.
Practice Notes: Instead of holding meetings after Monday evening's scrimmage, the team went to the movies, taking in The Expendables ... tight end Devonte Campbell, who just recently returned to practice after a concussion, suffered a knee strain in Monday's scrimmage and is out of action two to four weeks ... Lansford Watson had his knee surgery Tuesday. The junior tight end injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee, though the medical team also found a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). "It was a good thing we got it done early," Friedgen said. Recovery time is roughly six months.
It's really great to get such detailed reports on the practice session. Just got back from a trip to Nashville, where the local newspapers have about four pages of reports on practice sessions at UT, Vanderbilt, etc. So different from here, where the pros get most of the ink. Thanks for writing this up for us.