Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said running back D.J. Adams has established an early niche as a short-yardage runner -- look for him around the goal line. Adams had two second-half touchdowns as his White team beat the Red team, 21-13. My story on the game will be posted soon.
Friedgen seems really high on Adams. It was all the coach could do not to use Adams last season when the Terps were struggling. Luckily for Maryland, Adams preserved his redshirt season.
The Terps have a glut of running backs. What they need is blocking.
"I think our offensive line is vastly improved, especially the first team," said Friedgen. The second unit is composed largely of youngsters.
Maryland coaches consider the offensive line a position you grow into. If there is a benefit to last season -- and it's hard to find one -- it is that younger linemen were pressed into service by injuries to starters (Bruce Campbell, among others) and got some experience -- whether they were ready for it or not.
The same is true of cornerback Cameron Chism, who played after Nolan Carroll's season-ending injury and had some trying moments (and some good ones) last year. Chism told me Saturday: "I feel more confident. It's about play recognition."