The Terps announced that Chris Turner will be the starter this Saturday against Middle Tennessee State. Unfortunately, this had to occur as a result of an injury to Jordan Steffy. Regardless, it is the best news to come out of College Park this week. Turner was the best QB on the roster last year and until proven otherwise; remains so this year. Sadly, Fridge has spent the entire off-season forgetting that fact.
The story of the 2008 season has yet to be written, but I am confident that the ending will be better with Turner at the helm. By all accounts, Steffy is a great kid, but he can’t get it done. Turner isn’t pretty, but I know he can lead the team downfield once or twice per game. Steffy was the guy to do it and hopefully Turner will play well enough that the argument becomes moot.
Turner now has a week to prepare for the California game. So much the better. I think you will see the Terps run more screens this week to Scott so that he can get the ball in the flat. Darius Heyward-Bey better see 8-10 balls thrown his way or Franklin needs to go back to the West Coast.
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Turner #1, Portis #2 and Steffy #3 makes the most sense to me. Chris is the man till proven otherwise. Portis comes in and gives the Terp another look, a.k.a. change of pace, to keep the opposing D off-balance. Steffy is available if the #1 & #2 guys go down. Steffy is a valuable third string QB. By that I mean, not a clip board holder, but a capable QB if we lose the #1 & #2 guys during a game. He can step in and do a credible job in that capacity. Also, as a senior, he can help be an extra set of eyes, something of a second QB coach if you will, for Turner and Portis. My thoughts, comments?
First, great blog–thank you guys for putting the effort into maintaining this site. As a Maryland grad living far out of state, it is hard to get decent news. As for Turner being the starter, it seems as though destiny has stepped in and righted a wrong. Friedgen was crazy to make Steffy the starter. Turner had ups and downs last season, but he is clearly better than Steffy. As for Portis, he should be expelled from the university. The guy cheated, which indicates a complete lack of judgment. He is a one dimensional player that is not intelligent enough to pick up Ralph’s complex offense. Cut him loose.
Turner should be starter, btu they need to groom Portis to become the starter. How else are we going to attract QBs with Portis’ overall skillset (minus the cheating) is we can’t get a guy like him in the game, let alone successful in the game?
Hello Terp football fans (if there are any of you left out there). Here’s my Week 2 scouting report on MD’s opponent, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
MTSU comes off of a 14 point loss to Troy, where they mustered only 284 yards of total offense. USA Today lists MD as a 13 point favorite, although MD is 2-6 against the spread in their last 8 road games. MTSU is 6-2 against the spread in their last 8 games on artificial turf. Don’t know why that one is relevant, just thought I’d throw it in there. MD has played MTSU twice, both in College Park and won both games (24-10 in 2006 and 45-27 in 2000). The game kicks at 7:00 EST on ESPN 360 (whatever that is).
Per Josh Barr at the WaPo, MTSU is the youngest team in D1 football, with only 9 seniors on their roster. Also, MTSU has been bitten by the injury bug, recalling MD’s own injury problems last year. As many as 5 of MTSU’s starters from Week 1 might miss this week’s game, with 2 definitely out and 3 listed as doubtful. So, a young team just got younger.
On offense, MTSU returns 6 starters from last year, including 2 QBs that threw for over 1K yards last year. MTSU runs a wide open offense that regularly features 3 WRs and 1 RB, although they also run 4 and 5 WR sets but also run traditional sets with TEs and FBs. MTSU is very young at the OL and might start 2 or more freshmen. They are also very inexperienced at WR (returning WRs caught a total of 44 balls last year). Their returning TEs only caught 7 last year. Think about that. A pass happy offense returns only 51 total receptions from last year.
MTSU is also young on defense. They run a standard 4-3 set, and they return only 5 starters. They play an aggressive style of defense. They led their conference in sacks (66) and tackles for loss (183) last year. They also led their conference in TO margin (+18). Their defense gave up an average of 200 yards on the ground last year, which has carried over to this year. They gave up 160+ to a Troy RB last week.
UVA played down at MTSU last year and eked out a 23-21 victory on a last minute field goal.
I wrote on a previous post that if Turner starts, he would throw for 300 yards and Scott would run for 150+ yards. I’m sticking with that prediction. MTSU wants to turn the game into a track meet. They will put 8 men close to the line and dare Turner to beat them. He will likely throw a pick or two, but DHB is going to take a few the distance. That will open up the ground game. MD needs to come out throwing and throwing a lot. MTSU’s best cover corner is likely out of the game. If MTSU sits back, MD will grind out a win on the ground. I doubt MTSU will sit back. It’s not in their nature.
As with last week, I hate making predictions about this team; but I do feel more confident with Turner under center. It’s going to be a track meet, lots of points, especially if Cosh stays true to his nature and sits back in a soft zone all game. I’ll go out on a limb here and say that MD wins going away, in the 41-27 ballpark.
The biggest concern for me for turner is his inability to throw the out pass. It’s a hard pass to throw trust me I played WR in college so I can understand a bit. I hate to put that we SHOULD beat up on MTSU (who recruited me for fb lol) but I said the same for Delaware and we won by 7. Our game plan should be very basic like last game FEED the ball to Scott and throw to Bey and Bey some more and then look toward others. Since many teams know its the Bey show the others WR should get more 1 on 1 coverage and hopefully we can use that to our advantages.
Our D needs to tighten up in the middle and we should be good to go. I said in my last post the last game WAS our pre-season game, now the terps needs to show everyone and the ACC how bad ass we “COULD” be!
Chanman, as one who never actually played football, would you mind shedding a little light on the “out pass.” What makes it a more difficult pass? Do you have any idea/opinion as to why Turner has a problem with it?
Forgive me if this is a novice type of question, but I’m more of a B-ball than football type of guy.
sure badu,
To me the biggest problem in throwing the out pattern is qbs are taught outside shoulder. We all know what happens if you throw it behind or inside (pick 6). To me the first issue to look at is footwork and opening your hips to throw the pass. I need to see how turner does it but by seeing him always throw it OVER the guys head I’ll assume thats the biggest problem.
Another element is timing. 5 yard outs are usually 1 to 3 step drops and deeper ones 10 to 15 3-5 pending qb arm strength. I know times it’s the WR fault for not getting our head turn the moment we break and also QBs are taught to throw it the moment WR turn out of the break.
I hope that helps you out.
That is quite interesting and much appreciated.
Sorry to break up the FB banter but I’ve got B-Ball News.
We are six weeks away from Maryland Madness.
As I mentioned in another thread, Chris Braswell will make his official visit to UMD 9/20. The other schools that will get an official from Braswell are Xavier, Indiana, Virginia Tech, and Charlotte. James Padgett is scheduled to visit UMD on 9/27. Not sure if it’s an official or unofficial visit. Personally I expect him to end up at a Big East school but the Terps are in there fighting.
GW will go into Jordan Williams home next Tuesday to meet with this all important 2009 recruit and his family. No word on when Jordan will visit UMD but it is hoped he’ll come for Maryland Madness and homecoming weekend 10/17 & 10/18.
That weekend could turn out to be a big weekend B-ball recruiting wise with 2010 target possibly coming in. PG Isaiah Epps is tentatively coming in as is Taran Buie.
Speaking of Buie I’m trying to get in touch with Chuck D to find out when he’s coming up to Albany to attend one of Buie’s games so I can get to that same game and schmooze some info outta him.
GO TERPS!
DBR- You are amazing. Please tell Chuck D all about the Soup!