Kenny Tate

Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.   Running it back: NFL players are expected to recommend the labor deal Monday, which would move the league one step closer to ending the lockout . That's good news for Ravens free agents such as Josh Wilson who are waiting for the end of the lockout to make their next career move.

Maryland (0-0) at No. 12 California (0-0) Time: : 10 TV: : ESPN2 Radio: : 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: : California by 21 Series: : Maryland leads 1-0 Last meeting: : Maryland won, 35-27, last season Maryland offense vs. California defense: : Quarterback Chris Turner is always cool under pressure - Maryland is 6-2 against Top 25 teams in the previous two seasons. But his young offensive line, which starts former walk-ons Andrew Gonnella and Paul Pinegar on the right side, will be tested by a stellar defensive line.

Junior defensive tackle Joe Vellano was honored as Maryland's MVP Sunday night at the Terps' annual football banquet at the Stamp Student Union. Vellano, who also was named best defensive player and top lineman, finished his junior season with 94 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. The Rexford, N.Y., native was a first-team All-ACC pick and a second-team Walter Camp All-American. Here are the rest of the award winners from Maryland's banquet: Top Special Teams Performer: Austin Walker A.V. Williams Award for Outstanding & Conspicuous Sportsmanship: Trenton Hughes George C. Cook Memorial Award for the senior with the highest GPA: Andrew Gonnella George Boutselis Memorial Award for letterman with the highest GPA: Ryan Schlothauer Alvin L. Aubinoe Award as the unsung hero: Tim Downs C.P. “Lefty” McIntosh Public Service Award sponsored by Don & Terry Wilson: Andrew Gonnella James M. Tatum Award for Lineman of the Year: Joe Vellano Dr. John E. Faber Award for Iron Man: Kevin Dorsey Most Valuable Offensive Player: Davin Meggett Most Valuable Defensive Player: Joe Vellano Ray Krouse Award for Most Valuable Player: Joe Vellano Distinguished Contributor Award: Larry and Cheryl Grabenstein Captains Award: Andrew Gonnella, Davin Meggett, Kenny Tate, Joe Vellano ...

Maryland-Georgia Tech notes: *Beautiful, sunny day at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Bit of a gusty wind. Not many people in the stadium yet. Tech coach Paul Johnson appealed to fans to come out and be loud. A crowd of about 44,000 is expected by the locals. *Kenny Tate was on the field warming up but that doesn't mean for sure he will play. I'm told backup Mario Rowson will start but that Tate is still expected to be available. The Maryland linebacker was listed as "doubtful" by the school.

Maryland wide receiver Tyrek Cheeseboro, defensive back Matt Robinson, defensive lineman Isaiah Ross and linebacker Kenny Tate have been approved for medical hardship waivers, the school announced today. “It was great news to hear that each of them gained another year,” Terps coach Randy Edsall said in a news release. “We're looking forward to having all four of these young men healthy for 2012.” The decision was relayed to Maryland by the Atlantic Coast Conference office today.

You've already got a true freshman quarterback, so why not pair him with a true freshman tailback? Maryland said today that Albert Reid -- a 5-foot-10, 200-pound true freshman from Washington -- will start Saturday in the opener against William & Mary. That's because the original starter, redshirt freshman Brandon Ross, has a hamstring injury. Reid will likely share the spot Saturday with sophomore Justus Pickett and true freshman Wes Brown. It'll be running back by committee.

Maryland defensive end Andre Monroe is out for the year (knee) and will have surgery Thursday, coach Randy Edsall said after practice today. Edsall opened Maryland's post-practice media availability with a long injury report that disproportionally affected the defense. Edsall started with Monroe's injury and then kept on going. * Monroe, a redshirt sophomore vying to be a starter, will miss the season. He started four games last year. * Kenny Tate, a senior starting linebacker, “is going to go visit with the doctors.

Navy ran all over the field Monday. But in the red zone -- when and where it mattered most -- Maryland managed to stop the Midshipmen in a 17-14 victory in the season opener for both teams. The Terps -- and particularly safety Kenny Tate -- stopped Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs near the goal line in the final minute to preserve the win. The Terps ended a seven-game losing streak from last season. The teams were playing for the second time since 1965 in a rivalry game known as the "Crab Bowl.

Heading into Saturday's game at Temple, Maryland's defense, which certainly looks like the team's strongest unit this season, will get back a couple players who had been injured. Defensive linemen Keith Bowers (knee) and Isaiah Ross (hamstring) will both return Saturday. Strong safety Matt Robinson (shoulder) had hoped to play, too, but coach Randy Edsall says he's not quite ready. Neither is linebacker Kenny Tate. “With each week that goes by, I think we're getting closer with Kenny,” Edsall said.

As expected, quarterback C.J. Brown will be Maryland's starter for the second straight game when the Terps travel to Floridia State. I had wondered whether coach Randy Edsall -- like last week -- would play it coy about his quarterback starter. It would have been harder this time around since Brown rushed for 162 yards against Clemson, a record for a Maryland quarterback. When I asked Edsall why he went public early in the week, the coach replied: "I didn't want to have to answer all those questions" as he did about his quarterback first-teamer last week.