Offensive coordinator James Franklin has developed a reputation for trash talking with the Terps' defense during training camp. Photo by Adam Fried/The Diamondback
Coach Ralph Friedgen wasn’t satisfied with his defense the other day.
They weren’t flying at the ball enough, so Friedgen pulled out a traditional punishment and made them do up-downs, a military drill where players stand, then drop to a crouch, then do a push-up and stand back up.
When the defense got back on the field, things were a little different. In a drill where quarterback Chris Turner was not supposed to be hit, anchor Deege Galt knocked the senior signal caller to the ground. Then “World War III” started breaking out, according to Friedgen.
“It went from a practice that was kind of tiring to it’s like they were going [all out],” Friedgen said. “So I was kind of sitting back there smiling.
“So then I was telling [linebacker Alex] Wujciak, ‘I think I found a secret to motivator for you defensive guys,’” Friedgen continued. “He said, ‘What’s that?’ I said, ‘We’ll just do up-downs before the game every day. Before Cal, we’ll do 100 up-downs before you take the field.’ So they went over and came to go against the offense, and they all started doing up downs.”
That’s how this camp has been. The players’ senses of humor have been visible all month, and no one can doubt their intensity.
Wujciak and fellow linebacker Adrian Moten have had a bit of a jawing war with offensive coordinator James Franklin, particularly when Franklin wore a straw hat to practice one hot day. Defensive tackle A.J. Francis came up behind Friedgen and slapped his coach on the butt. And the team recently broke a huddle by screaming “SEXY FRIDGE,” a nod to a comment made on Terrapins Rising, the team’s television show.
Several players today declared this the most fun camp they’ve been a part of in their time with the Terps. Friedgen, they say, has been more relaxed than ever before – partially, no doubt, because of an offseason diet that allowed him to drop more than 100 pounds.
Whatever the case, the coach has really enjoyed himself this summer, even as the group has gotten into the “dog days” of camp. He spoke with the media tonight for nearly 30 minutes, as long as any other interview session of the camp. And when it came down to it, the main storyline remained: This team is fun.
“Most of the time, this time of year, these guys don’t want to do nothing,” Friedgen said. “You’re usually out there with a bullwhip trying to get them to go. The coaches are irritable; nobody wants to be there. This group? They’re out there having fun. It’s really kind of enjoyable to be around them.”
Adi Joseph is The Diamondback’s football beat writer. He can be reached at ajoseph@umdbk.com or followed @adijoseph.