Since last speaking with media, have now been in pads a few days and got through the first scrimmage relatively healthy and excited about the way the team has practiced in pads with last November having been the last time they did it.
As each day goes by, getting closer and closer to competing in the Big Ten and need to use each day to the maximum. Defense was ahead of offense in the first scrimmage and hopes to see more from the offense this week as they get more time together.
Finished opening remarks by acknowledging that it is mental health awareness week.
Not ready to name a starting QB yet. Not something they will take lightly and they are going to give all the guys a chance. The goal of the offense and ultimately the QB is to move the ball and score points, so the guy who does that best will be the starter.
Says the players and team will know before media knows who the QB1 is and they do plan on having a starter in place the week leading up to the opener at Northwestern.
They need to use every minute of the next two-plus weeks of getting better at running, blocking, tackling and everything else.
Says they are still virtual for the most part with most of the team meetings. Talking about mental health awareness, says he is very lucky they have the resources they do to help guys cope mentally with COVID. The admin has provided the resources necessary for guys if they do feel they need help.
The biggest thing with regards to the WR corps is the depth they have built up. Getting a healthy Jeshaun Jones back and guys like Cobb really helps and they have really developed. Thinks the WR will end up being a strength for the team and specifically the offense. As far as areas the WR group can improve, blocking and the physicality of the position. With the added depth and development of the group, hopes to see more of them making plays on special teams.
The biggest improvement of the team development is the overall team speed. Guys' ability to get to the ball at all three levels and how the front is really striking guys. Biggest thing they need to improve on is tackling. As they go from 'tagging' to 'thudding' wants to see more improvement in wrapping guys up when tackling.
Likes the way things are coming along with the defense and feels good about the unit with the opener a couple of weeks away.
On Cam Spence, says he's big on developing the next wave of coaches and he's known him since he was a youngster at Gilman. It was tough having the conversation with him last year about not being able to play anymore but they wanted to keep him in the game and around the program, he was a great host of recruits. He's done a great job working with the defensive staff and he had a ton of contacts from his high school days to his time at Maryland and glad they got him here as a student assistant.
Says they have guys who have had five coaches in five years along the offensive line so having some continuity is big. Johari Branch has been a big addition. Moving Minor inside has been a big development and getting Johnny Jordan back was big, also. Says the experience Spencer Anderson got was big and that Evan Gregory has made a big leap from last year to this year.
Says both of the new TEs are a work in progress. They bring some good athleticism and competition. Malik Jackson has also looked solid early on.
In the scrimmage, had a lot of penalties that were 'unforced errors,' things like dropped passes, false starts, things like that. That is expected in the first scrimmage but was still more than they'd like to see.
Says the recruiting class is as-advertised. They have all improved the team with 50-plus guys that have never taken a snap. Tarheeb Still, Jarrett, Nick DeGennero have all stood out. Says walk-on David Foust has proven to be very capable, as have several other walk-ons.
The 2022 recruiting class has been a challenge to this point. Being in a talent-rich area and with the inability to get guys on campus, been difficult as they are used to having locals on campus 5 or 6 times by now. Also been challenging in that they don't have any recent tape to watch on local guys because they haven't been playing this fall to this point.
As each day goes by, getting closer and closer to competing in the Big Ten and need to use each day to the maximum. Defense was ahead of offense in the first scrimmage and hopes to see more from the offense this week as they get more time together.
Finished opening remarks by acknowledging that it is mental health awareness week.
Not ready to name a starting QB yet. Not something they will take lightly and they are going to give all the guys a chance. The goal of the offense and ultimately the QB is to move the ball and score points, so the guy who does that best will be the starter.
Says the players and team will know before media knows who the QB1 is and they do plan on having a starter in place the week leading up to the opener at Northwestern.
They need to use every minute of the next two-plus weeks of getting better at running, blocking, tackling and everything else.
Says they are still virtual for the most part with most of the team meetings. Talking about mental health awareness, says he is very lucky they have the resources they do to help guys cope mentally with COVID. The admin has provided the resources necessary for guys if they do feel they need help.
The biggest thing with regards to the WR corps is the depth they have built up. Getting a healthy Jeshaun Jones back and guys like Cobb really helps and they have really developed. Thinks the WR will end up being a strength for the team and specifically the offense. As far as areas the WR group can improve, blocking and the physicality of the position. With the added depth and development of the group, hopes to see more of them making plays on special teams.
The biggest improvement of the team development is the overall team speed. Guys' ability to get to the ball at all three levels and how the front is really striking guys. Biggest thing they need to improve on is tackling. As they go from 'tagging' to 'thudding' wants to see more improvement in wrapping guys up when tackling.
Likes the way things are coming along with the defense and feels good about the unit with the opener a couple of weeks away.
On Cam Spence, says he's big on developing the next wave of coaches and he's known him since he was a youngster at Gilman. It was tough having the conversation with him last year about not being able to play anymore but they wanted to keep him in the game and around the program, he was a great host of recruits. He's done a great job working with the defensive staff and he had a ton of contacts from his high school days to his time at Maryland and glad they got him here as a student assistant.
Says they have guys who have had five coaches in five years along the offensive line so having some continuity is big. Johari Branch has been a big addition. Moving Minor inside has been a big development and getting Johnny Jordan back was big, also. Says the experience Spencer Anderson got was big and that Evan Gregory has made a big leap from last year to this year.
Says both of the new TEs are a work in progress. They bring some good athleticism and competition. Malik Jackson has also looked solid early on.
In the scrimmage, had a lot of penalties that were 'unforced errors,' things like dropped passes, false starts, things like that. That is expected in the first scrimmage but was still more than they'd like to see.
Says the recruiting class is as-advertised. They have all improved the team with 50-plus guys that have never taken a snap. Tarheeb Still, Jarrett, Nick DeGennero have all stood out. Says walk-on David Foust has proven to be very capable, as have several other walk-ons.
The 2022 recruiting class has been a challenge to this point. Being in a talent-rich area and with the inability to get guys on campus, been difficult as they are used to having locals on campus 5 or 6 times by now. Also been challenging in that they don't have any recent tape to watch on local guys because they haven't been playing this fall to this point.
