Special delivery pranks Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen's high school football past literally showed up on his doorstep last season.
Interviewed in his office recently, the coach recounted how a giant "G" was delivered to his home.
It looked like a University of Georgia flag. Why, Friedgen thought, would Bulldogs rooters send him such a thing when Georgia wasn't on Maryland's schedule?
Friedgen soon learned it wasn't a Georgia "G." It was the symbol of the Rye (N.Y.) High School Garnets.
The Garnets are the rivals of Harrison High, where Friedgen played quarterback and was coached by his father in the 1960s. The "G" was left by someone as a prank. Friedgen said his initial thought on the perpetrator was: "Get a life."
• My biggest surprise at the Atlantic Coast Conference football media and coaches' conference last month? It was that the ACC earns more from football than basketball.
The conference has long been better known for hoops. But football-related revenue outpaces basketball's slightly, according to commissioner John Swofford. Football revenues are up since the league has added Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College in recent years.
• It was no surprise, however, to see the Terps rated fifth in the Atlantic Division in the preseason media poll. That's about where the team is usually picked, Friedgen said. If Maryland is to surprise this season, it will do so partly because of speed -- the coach is particularly high on the breakaway threat posed by running back Da'Rel Scott. The Terps must also avoid the sorts of injuries that, like a maddening headache, kept interrupting the team's progress last season.
• You've probably gleaned by now that I'm covering Maryland football this season. I was trying to think of a way to introduce myself. The best I could manage was: "I'm Jeff. I'll be your server." More to come on Media Day on Monday.
Comments
Great!! Since Heather left, it has been pretty slim pickings for any Terp Football coverage here./
Look foward to reading your news/blog/opinions.
Posted by: Doug M | August 1, 2008 4:14 PM
Welcome Jeff and I hope your asbestos body suit meets all federal standards, especially if you have any affiliation with Penn State, Duke or UVa!
Posted by: UT Cal | August 1, 2008 5:15 PM
Ralph had every right to be upset. I was in his high school class and we hated people from Rye (even though I married one). By the way, we beat them 27-0 in our senior year. Go Huskies!
Posted by: John Fleder | August 1, 2008 7:32 PM
I await your blog. entries FREDTERP
Posted by: FREDTERP | August 1, 2008 9:35 PM
Up here in south central Pa. we don't get any Terp coverage. It's all Blue & White. I'll await more coverage. Thanks!
Posted by: Don Weber | August 2, 2008 6:32 AM
Welcome aboard Jeff. Let me give you a few things to go with to start off:
- Terps football will surprise some people this year
- Terps basketball is in shambles right now
...and don't worry about marrying someone from your rival school, UT Cal-- it's completely normal to end up marrying someone you hate, or hating someone you marry.
Posted by: Rich | August 2, 2008 11:33 AM
Looking forward to your coverage.
Posted by: Renan | August 2, 2008 11:56 AM
Jeff,
Hope to see some detailed, daily coverage of the Terps. It would be nice to see a local newspaper treat the team like it is the state University.
The washington post will be full of Redskin coverage from now till the end of December. Hope the Sun gives us some insight on the Terps.
Ralph is shooting for an ACC championship this year...just like 2001.
Welcome.
Posted by: UMDFAN | August 2, 2008 5:22 PM
do you know win maryland will announce which players will be redshirting this year
Posted by: Anonymous | August 2, 2008 6:27 PM
Great: I check the blogs daily and I am hoping we have a great season.
Thanks
Posted by: Terp Mike | August 2, 2008 6:28 PM
I, too, think the Terps have lots of talent and only have to execute on the field. An ACC championship? Maybe not but a at a minimum a trip to a decent bowl game.
Posted by: Ron | August 3, 2008 9:41 AM
Hey, Jeff, any idea of who tops the quarterback depth chart right now?
Posted by: Ken Francis | August 3, 2008 8:06 PM
As a fan and alum of Harrison High and Univ. of Maryland, Ralph is right on with his initial thoughts of "Get A Life". My wife is from Rye High. By the way, she's also a Protestant -RedSox fan and I'm a Catholic - Yankees fan....I guess opposites really do attract. Oh, one more thing, Harrison beat Rye my senior year in 1988 by a score of 6-0.
Go Huskies!!
Go Terps!!
Posted by: Jeff Radcliffe | August 4, 2008 10:24 AM
Hey Jeff the Terps have crazy speed on the defense this year with a line that is physical with depth. We also have the fastest WR in the conference and one of the fastest backs. The only thing holding us back is who the QB will be from the start. What do you think?
Posted by: Big Mike | August 4, 2008 11:45 AM
Congrats, Jeff. Wish you the best with the football coverage. Hopefully, we as fans and parents of players can enjoy this season. One that looks promising. Good luck to all the seniors. Had fun watching you guys grow up into men. Lets show the league that we are hungry and a force to be respected. Go Terps!! #17
Posted by: DOsr | August 6, 2008 12:19 PM