Maryland’s Rob Abiamiri spent almost as much of the offseason at the training table as he did in the weight room. The former wide receiver gained 26 pounds hoping to stretch defenses as a pass-receiving tight end.
“A guy like him in the NFL is really hard to find,” coach Ralph Friedgen said. “The big thing is can Rob be physical enough to block as a tight end? I think he’ll be a very good player in the passing situations. Hopefully, we can involve him some on the running, maybe as an H-back.”
Abiamiri knew he had to bulk up, and he took his training table regimen seriously. Breakfast included two omelets, sausage, ham, grits and fruit. Lunch was two club sandwiches, chicken, macaroni and mashed potatoes. Dinner meant pizza, chicken and lots of starches.
“It would take an hour to get the food down,” said a joking Abiamiri, who is now 241 pounds.
It’s one thing to bulk up, but it’s quite another to slow down, and that’s what concerned Abiamiri. He wanted to retain the quickness that allows him to separate from linebackers and create gaps in the middle of the field, which would let outside receivers draw single coverage.
“I feel like I am the same speed that I was [two years ago],” he said. “I don’t feel like I am any slower. I feel I can still play receiver at this weight. I’ve seen other guys gain weight and end up having to lose it because their backs hurt when they ran. I was putting on the pounds, and I was still able to move with it.”
Abiamiri switched positions after a spring discussion with Friedgen. He wanted more playing time after getting in only four games his first two seasons and having no catches. Friedgen likes Abiamiri’s speed, but the junior was simply outnumbered.
The Terrapins return six receivers plus special teams return man Steve Suter, and freshman receiver Vernon Davis also is expected to get reps this year.
Now that he is playing inside, Abiamiri has become one of quarterback Scott McBrien’s primary targets during practice and could be a big threat when the Terps open against Northern Illinois on Aug.28.
“Rob’s been making plays out there I haven’t seen from a tight end in a long time,” McBrien said.
Maryland figured to use more two tight ends or four wideouts sets this season. The Terps may sacrifice a fullback to create passing mismatches, so Abiamiri also must handle bigger defensive ends who still outweigh him by 20 pounds. Tight end Jeff Dugan will be used more for blocking situations, but Abiamiri can’t let defenders stop him at the line.
“It’s a lot more physical down there. Even now I feel like I am underweight,” he said. “Right now I feel like a little guy, so I am trying to do the little things to adjust. Defenders can grab you and sling you. That was the hardest part getting adjusted to. As a receiver, you can just get off people, but I have to block this guy.”
Pecking order
Friedgen soon will pick his backup quarterback. Sam Hollenbach appears to be the front-runner, having crept ahead of Joel Statham and Orlando Evans. Receiver Latrez Harrison remains an emergency or goal-line passer.
“Hollenbach is probably the most dependable one right now,” Friedgen said. “I don’t know if he’s there yet. Joel has a lot of talent. He just makes a lot of mistakes. We’re looking for a guy with a strong arm and quick release. Sometimes Sam is not as quick as Joel, but he’s not making the mental mistakes.”
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Robert Armstrong is making a bid to start while C.J. Feldheim recovers from knee surgery. Feldheim could return in a week, but Friedgen continues to praise Armstrong.
“If C.J. doesn’t get back pretty quick he won’t have a spot the way Armstrong’s playing right now,” Friedgen said.
Extra points
Receiver Onnie Onwuemene was sidelined by a sprained knee. Offensive tackle Mike Steele underwent an MRI on his knee. …
Maryland began two-a-day practices yesterday after five days of single workouts. The new system allows freshmen to attend orientation classes the first week. Friedgen believed the defense finished the first week ahead of the offense.
“Offensively, we have put a lot in,” he said. “I don’t see us making mental mistakes. We’re just not where I want to be execution-wise.”
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