Edsall says equal punishments for Tyler, McCree was right decision

After an off-campus altercation Sept. 15 left wide receivers Quintin McCree and Ronnie Tyler suspended indefinitely and Tyler with a second-degree assault charge, it was unclear when, or even whether, the two seniors would rejoin the Terrapins football team.

Coach Randy Edsall gave an answer Sunday, announcing that McCree and Tyler, who missed the past two games, would return for Saturday's game against Towson. Although police did not arrest McCree following the incident, Edsall intimated yesterday he held the two equally responsible.

"I was privy to a lot more information than anybody in this room or anybody on the outside," Edsall said at his weekly press conference. "I had seen the evidence, watched the evidence, so I had plenty of information, and the punishment that was given out to both of them was right for both young men based on all the information I have."

While questions about that night's events remain, McCree and Tyler's return should bring much-needed depth and experience to a Terps offense that has struggled the past two weeks.

Both players practiced during their suspension and will start against the Tigers.

"I think having Ronnie and Quintin back obviously gives us some more options," guard Andrew Gonnella said yesterday. "But we have a lot of great receivers. I don't think we were hurting talent-wise.

"I think the biggest thing is we have two seniors back so that's going to add some more leadership to our offense, and I think it's a positive message to the team. It shows they were able to get their off-the-field issues sorted out quick enough, and they had enough desire to do that to be back with the team."

FRESHMAN CONNECTION

Edsall's said since his arrival in College Park that his goal is to put the 11 best players on the field.

And to this point, he's shown it doesn't matter how old they are. The Terps' two-deep this week includes 18 freshmen, four of whom — defensive end Keith Bowers, fullback Tyler Cierski, linebacker Lorne Goree and safety Titus Till — will start against Towson.

Edsall said yesterday three more true freshmen — wide receiver Tyrek Cheeseboro, linebacker Cole Farrand and defensive back A.J. Hendy — will see time on special teams this weekend.

"If they're our best guys in our opinion as coaches, then we're going to play them," Edsall said, "and you've got to understand that there could be some growing pains with some of those freshmen."

While some freshmen, such as Bowers and Till, have been pushed into more pivotal roles by injury, Edsall has set a precedent that no job is guaranteed.

"If a guy has a chance to beat an older guy out, he's going to let them know and he's going to make that clear," Gonnella said of Edsall. "He's just trying to get the best 11 guys on the field."

ODDS AND ENDS

With an overhauled coaching staff and a worrying 1-2 start, it's easy to think the Terps may be mired in a rebuilding year.

Edsall, however, after acknowledging the program's transitional state, scoffed at the notion this season could be considered a wash.

"There's no rebuilding here. That's not something in my vocabulary," Edsall said. "If that was the case, then I'd be doing a disservice to these young men that are here. You've never heard that word come out of my mouth, and you never will."

Edsall also said that despite Kenny Tate's struggles so far, the former starting safety will remain a linebacker instead of replacing safety Matt Robinson, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Till will start in Robinson's place Saturday.

cwalsh@umdbk.com