The Terps are returning 15 offensive and defensive starters from last season. Head Coach Randy Edsall was pleased with the opening practice.
"I liked that we were back out here on the field and I liked that we got after it," Edsall said after the workout. "I liked seeing the install on offense and defense and seeing the guys come out here, working together, with good attitudes. There was a lot of energy."
Today two new coordinators began work with their units. Offensive Coordinator Mike Locksley is bringing in a pro-style offensive attack that features spread principles, while Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart will have an attacking 3-4 defense.
Edsall continued:
"For the first day, I thought the guys were communicating really well," "That's what I think you really need to look for when working with new schemes. Offensively, the timing wasn't too bad. There weren't a lot of balls on the ground. I think the defense did a really good job communicating and guys were lined up and running to the ball."
QB C.J. Brown, who started five games last season, will get the majority of the Spring action as the only scholarship quarterback on the squad. Right now senior transfer Ricky Schultz is backing Brown up.
Regarding Brown, Edsall said:
"I thought he did a good job and he handled things well," "Again, it's nowhere near where we want to be but with all the new things that he had to manage, I thought he had a pretty good first day."
Edsall also commented about today's practice, which is one of three this Spring which must take place in only helmets.
"I look at it from a team standpoint until you get the pads on and really get a chance to evaluate things," Edsall said of his overall thoughts on the first day. "We're looking for the attitude, effort, the intensity and coachability. I think that was all there today. I think that once we get into the pads, we'll have a better idea."
The team returns to the practice field on Tuesday and then practices again Thursday before Spring break. The Terps return on March 27 and will practice each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday leading up to the annual Red-White Spring Game, which is at Byrd Stadium on Saturday, April 21 at 1:00 PM.
Enjoy the pictures. For a slideshow, just click on a picture.
WR Kerry Boykins
The team before practice started
Stretching
Knee brace of OL Josh Cary
OL Gary Harraka
Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis lead the defense during drills
Terps offense
OL Justin Gilbert
Offensive line drill
DL Darius Kilgo
LB Clarence Murphy
DL Keith Bowers
LB Isaiah Ross
DL A.J. Francis
DL Joe Vellano
DL Alex Walker
DL Ian Evans
DL Keith Bowers
DL Isaiah Ross working hard to recover from last season's injury
A.J. Francis and Joe Vellano
Are you ready for football!
A.J. Francis and Isaiah Ross participate in a defensive drill
Joe Vellano
Kicker Michael Tart works on his field goal technique
LB L.A. Goree
TE Matt Furstenburg gets ready to hit
TE Devonte Campbell
TE Matt Furstenburg
LB Darin Drakeford
LB Daryus Dutton
LB Cole Farrand
Head Coach Edsall
Offensive line working on drills
TE drill
Long snapper Greg Parcher gets some work in
DL Coach Greg Gattuso explains the upcoming drill
Isaiah Ross working hard. Looks like he's progressing well
Ross missed the 2011 season with a leg injury vs Miami
Ross and DL Justin Anderson
More Offensive line drills
Terps Defense getting their work in
Isaiah Ross
Joe Vellano, Coach Gattuso and A.J. Francis
Vellano and Francis battle
Coach Gattuso explains what he wants to see from his players
Coach Gattusso demonstrates a drill
Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis drill sequence
More defensive battles
LB Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil, a junior transfer
LB Marcus Whitfield
LB Alex Twine
LB's Murphy, Whitfield, Drakeford, Foreman and Twine
WR James Bowman
WR Nigel King
QB C.J. Brown gets off a pass
Terps offense
C.J. Brown connects
QB C.J. Brown works on his technique
One on one
Terps offense
DB Eric Franklin makes the stop
C.J. Brown
WR Regis Whittington vs DB Avery Graham
WR Devin Burns hauls down a pass
Catch and hit
WR James Bowman
QB drill
Field Goal drill. Michael Tart attempts a kick
Offense led by C.J. Brown
RB Justus Pickett
Offensive Line gets their drill instructions
RB Justus Pickett breaks free
Terps offense
RB Brandon Ross
Terps offense
C.J. Brown leads the Terps offense
Good battle here
Pressure
QB C.J. Brown looks for the open receiver
RB Brandon Ross looks for an opening
QB Ricky Schultz calls the play
RB Brandon Ross looks to get through the defense
QB Ricky Schultz gers off the pass
WR Levern Jacobs
Darin Drakeford and Joe Vellano lead the Terps defense
C.J. Brown gets the pass off despite the defensive pressure
Defense pressures QB Ricky Schultz
WR Devin Burns goes up against DB Jeremiah Johnson
More practice highlights
WR Nigel King hauls in a pass
C.J. Brown
QB C.J. Brown under pressure
LB Kenny Tate, another Terp recovering from injury
QB Ricky Schultz
Head Coach Edsall observes the practice
Roll out
DL Andre Monroe
QB Ricky Schultz and RB Brandon Ross
Terps offense gets instruction
C.J. Brown and the offensive line
QB Ricky Schultz scrambles
The lines battle
RB Brandon Ross gets encouragement from OL Jake Wheeler
RB Brandon Ross about to meet LB Darin Drakeford
QB Ricky Schultz scrambles
WR Regis Whittington lines up vs DB Avery Graham
