Offensive linemen Jared Gaither and Jaimie Thomas returned to Terrapin football practice Monday following their two-week suspension for violating team rules, and coach Ralph Friedgen said the two would have to earn their starting jobs back.
“These guys that have been out here busting their butt, I can’t forget them,” Friedgen said. “We’ll just work them in and see how they continue to progress.”
The 6-foot-9, 350-pound Gaither started the final eight games of last season at left tackle, filling in ably for the injured Stephon Heyer. Before camp started, Gaither was slated to start at right tackle, but that spot has since been filled by sophomore Dane Randolph.
Gaither, who listed running, watching film and working out as his activities during the suspension, didn’t expect to be handed the starting spot on a silver platter.
“I never once thought I could sit out two weeks and come back to my starting spot,” Gaither said. “That wouldn’t be fair to the rest of my teammates. I wouldn’t want my coaches to put me in that situation, and I know he wouldn’t do that.”
Thomas earned at least a shot at the starting left guard job during spring practice, but junior Donnie Woods has impressed Friedgen in practice and is now the leading candidate until Thomas gets back up to speed.
Friedgen was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the returning linemen.
“[They played] better than I thought they would,” Friedgen said. “There were a couple of situations from a mental standpoint, I would have probably bet money that they’d have missed them and they didn’t.”
Friedgen said he didn’t have much time to talk with Gaither or Thomas during the two weeks and added that he welcomed them back into camp.
During the suspension, the Terp offensive line struggled at times, Friedgen said, but backups got opportunities to play above their spots on the depth chart. Randolph, junior guard Garrick Clig and sophomore guard Lee Oliver gained the most from the extra repetitions, offensive line coach Tom Brattan said.
“It’s a mixed deal,” Brattan said. “Obviously, you want everybody here – but at the same time, the other guys get a chance to step up.”
Ennis or Egekeze?
Friedgen said yesterday sophomore Obi Egekeze and senior Dan Ennis are neck and neck in the competition for the starting kicker job.
“It’s dead even really,” Friedgen said. “I think Obi gets a little more height on the ball than Dan does and might have a little more distance.”
The declaration of a dead heat comes only days after Friedgen declared Egekeze the front-runner after his performance in the Terps’ second scrimmage Saturday. During yesterday’s morning practice, Egekeze missed one of his attempts, while Ennis was perfect, Friedgen said.
During the scrimmage, Egekeze’s 2-for-2 day bested Ennis’ 2-for-3 showing. Friedgen said he would probably determine the team’s starting kicker after today’s scrimmage, the team’s final one before the season starts.
Ennis started last season for the Terps, going 17-for-25 on field goal attempts. He was automatic early, making his first 11 attempts, but bottomed out with a dismal 6-for-14 to end the season.
Perhaps foreseeing the jockeying every day in practice, Egekeze hesitated to celebrate his lead.
“Camp’s not over yet,” Egekeze said Monday. “It’s nice to be ahead now, but I’m really excited. I’m still trying to work hard.”
Ennis won the job by default last year after an injury ended Egekeze’s season late in camp.
But Friedgen plans to keep a short leash on whichever kicker is named the starter.
“Whoever the guy is, [if] he misses a few, they’ll be another guy in there very fast,” Friedgen said.
Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.