Preseason Terps Hype

Maryland opens on Saturday, September 3 against Navy in Baltimore. That date is coming up fast. It's time for some Terps hype.

Terrapins Are Working To Get Off The Ground

Darrius Heyward-Bey has given Maryland's quarterbacks extra incentive to perfect their timing; otherwise "he'll outrun our arms," Joel Statham said.

Unfortunately, judging by last season's QB performance, that's almost a given.

Season-ending injuries force Terps' Friedgen to adjust

"This hasn't been one of my better weeks," said Friedgen, who said he was back in the office at 5 a.m. Tuesday to tinker with the lineup.

Terps pick tackle; injuries mount

Meanwhile, linebacker Erin Henderson was lost for the season with a torn ACL in his knee while running back Mario Merrills' status for the opener against Navy on Sept.?3 is uncertain after he sprained his ankle. The rash of injuries over the past week now also includes fullback Ricardo Dickerson (sprained ankle).

On the bright side, what team doesn't lose somebody for the season early? Nothing new here. All indications are that the Fridge is satisfied with the adjustments he has made.

"If we could get somebody back it would be real good," Friedgen said. "We're not where we want to be [in team preparation], but we're not far from it."

Terps practice report.

Newsflash - QB Joe Statham completed a pass:

QB Joel Statham connected with WR Danny Melendez on a deep ball down the left side in team drills, with Melendez shielding freshman CB Anthony Wiseman with his body to haul in the pass.

I say, Save it for the regular season, Joe!

MORE: Purdue football hype (equal opportunity for my lovely wife) -

Trouble in Paradise

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue strong safety Bernard Pollard has developed a reputation as one of the Big Ten's hardest hitters and biggest trash-talkers.
Coach Joe Tiller has banned him from practice for the next three days because Tiller thought the latter got out of control during Monday evening's practice.

"When they blow the whistle, you get lined up and get back in the huddle," Tiller said. "He won't let (the trash-talking) go and that was carrying it too far."

Several members of the Purdue coaching staff urged Pollard -- who couldn't be reached for comment -- to settle down during a scrimmage, telling him such actions during a game would earn a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

An incensed Tiller later told him to leave the field. Some of Pollard's teammates pleaded with him to settle down, but he kept looking over his shoulder as he left and exchanged words with Tiller, who followed him off the field.