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Written by DCist contributor Brett Gellman
Yesterday marked the start of fall camp for the Maryland Terrapins football team, and practice had to be pushed back to 7 p.m. due to the sweltering heat. But the scheduling adjustment is just a tiny reflection of the large changes the program has undergone since the Terps concluded a wildly inconsistent 8-5 season with a victory over Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl last December.
The most visible change would be that of head coach Ralph Friedgen. The Fridge, now in his ninth year with the program, has shed over 100 pounds, and has plans to lose 50 more thanks in part to a strict diet he started late last year. If he keeps going at this rate, do fans start dubbing him the "Mini-Fridge"?
As for the actual football, the Terrapins hired former Massachusetts head coach Don Brown to take over as defensive coordinator after Chris Cosh left to take the same job at Kansas State. Brown employs a more aggressive scheme and his system will be a huge contrast from the passive, prevent defense Maryland used during Cosh's tenure.
Another major adjustment will be dealing with the loss of a whopping 30 seniors from last season's team, the largest class Fridge has ever graduated. Not only did the Terps lose star wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to the Raiders as a Top 10 draft pick, but the once veteran-laden offensive line now boasts only two returning starters. This unit is the biggest question marking going into the season by far.
Senior quarterback Chris Turner does return to the fold, though -- and he's got a lot to work with, with no fewer than nine young receivers to throw the ball to. Turner, however, will have to fight the stigma of being the Top 25 Killer and provide consistency throughout the entire season. Last year, his performances against ranked opponents were excellent, but he looked lost against teams like Middle Tennessee State.
Maryland's first test will be a difficult one as they head to the West Coast to face California on September 5, in a rematch from last season. The Terps upset the Golden Bears in College Park last fall, which, you may recall, included an instant YouTube hit courtesy of Kevin Barnes. The difference this time around: California will not only be at home with a comfy 7 p.m. kickoff time, but will also boast a #12 ranking. I'd imagine that Cal is looking for revenge, and more specifically, Jahvid Best.
The Terps youth and inexperience will show this season, and with a new defense installed, there will definitely be growing pains. Most media outlets have picked Maryland to finish at the bottom of the conference -- and while that may not ultimately be the case, the Terps were maddeningly frustrating to watch last year with an experienced team.
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Legs!
Wrap them around me...
Wow! The Terps' players are considerably leaner than before. And delightfully more feminine - at least based on the photo.
Seriously. I thought this post was supposed to be about football. As much as I like young, half-naked women, I despise cheerleaders. If I want to mix sports and sex I'll watch beach volleyball. Dignified football teams don't even have them.
Right, because dignified is what we all look for in a football team.
well, i'm certainly not looking for t&a.
The photo/story juxtaposition was a great laugh.