At this point, not a whole lot new is going to be revealed about Maryland before Monday's season opener against Navy.
(You see that? It's no longer the Sept. 6 opener. It's Monday's opener. Ah, progress).
Anyway, here's a few quick hits from coach Ralph Friedgen's chat with reporters this afternoon:
One of the major issues lingering for Maryland is just who will kick for the Terrapins in the opener.
Friedgen might not have an answer to that before the end of this week.
"We haven't resolved it totally, yet," Friedgen said. "It's an ongoing process. We'll have to make that a game time decision."
Sophomore Nick Ferrara has endured a rough camp, battling inaccuracy and injuries --- first a foot problem that developed after he was stepped on, and later a groin injury.
Ferrara could kick, but those duties could also be assumed by senior punter Travis Baltz.
"I think he's injured right now and we want to see where he's at once he's well," Friedgen said. "One of the things he did well for us last year is he not only placekicked but he punted. To me, to be a good placekicker, you need to be at 70, 80 percent efficiency. To me, he can better there. For me, as a true freshman, what he did was an exceptional job. ... I'd like for him to be the placekicker and for Travis to be the punter, but I have to go with who is getting it done, too."
* Cornerback Cameron Chism (hamstring) is apparently improving after missing much of the last two weeks.
"I'm hoping we'll have him," Friedgen said. "He practiced yesterday and I'm hoping he's going to continue to get better and better as the week goes on."
Chism is set to start at one corner, with Trenton Hughes and Dexter McDougle splitting time at the other spot.
* Out for the opener: DL De'Onte Arnett, TE Devonte Campbell, LB Ben Pooler, TE Lansford Watson and TE Will Yeatman. It's probably safe to include FB Taylor Watson in that group, too. Watson suffered an ACL tear in March and is expected back in mid-September.
* Friedgen reinforced his belief the offensive line could turn out to be a strength ... assuming the group stays healthy.
Only one of the five projected starters appeared sparingly last year (left tackle Justin Gilbert), and both R.J. Dill and Paul Pinegar were regular starters. Guards Andrew Gonnella and Justin Lewis are also much-improved, Friedgen said.
The problem, though, is what the Terps have in reserve. Of the second-team options, only backup guard Bennett Fulper has played a college snap.
"We have a young inexperienced group behind the first team, but I feel good about the first team," Friedgen said.
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