Franklin explains quarterback decision
So how did Maryland inform Chris Turner that he wasn’t the starting quarterback?
Offensive coordinator James Franklin told me during an interview today that coaches relied on empirical data -- performance charts, basically -- to show how things tipped in favor of Jordan Steffy.
"We just basically told him the truth. We showed him all the data," Franklin said. “He sees it everyday because it’s posted in the locker room every day, so he kind of had an awareness of what was going on. The data documented everything we were saying.”
Coaches were in the delicate position of wanting Turner, who started the final eight games last season, to feel appreciated without making him guarantees about what comes next.
“We couldn’t guarantee anything for his future. We said, ‘Look, you’re going to have to come out and play and you’re going to have to come out and compete,’ and he was fine with that,” Franklin said.
Turner has since decided to remain at Maryland, saying he understands that the chances of a backup getting the call during the season are quite good.
Other news and notes from the first game week:
• Preparation for Delaware is complicated by the fact that the Blue Hens have yet to name a starting quarterback. It’s between Ohio State transfer Rob Schoenhoft and redshirt freshman Lou Ritacco to see who replaces Joe Flacco, now with the Ravens.
“I guess the one question mark -- and we don’t know a lot about it -- is quarterback,” Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen said.
Under Flacco, Delaware averaged 460 yards per game last season. The Blue Hens return two wideouts who combined for 143 receptions.
• Looks like Danny Oquendo will be returning punts and Torrey Smith will be returning kickoffs. Smith had been in a battle with freshman Kenny Tate, the receiver-turned-defensive back.
in Terps football
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Comments
Time for Ralph to be fired! This is the dumbest decision he could have made. Jordan has showed nothing to prove he should start. Fire Friedgen and if Yow doesn't, she needs to go!
Posted by: ben | August 26, 2008 6:53 PM
When will one of you "reportors" ask the coaches most important question? How do the two QB's compare in real game situations? Practice is just that, practice.
Posted by: Darnel | August 26, 2008 6:54 PM
Lets be real. Franklin recruited Steffney that is why he is the starter bottom line. Look at the game films from last year that is what matters.
Posted by: Chris Wentworth | August 26, 2008 8:12 PM
Ralph's track record in picking a QB is almost as bad as Brian Billick's. Some guys practice better than others. That often has little to do with who plays better. Turner is a gamer and Maryland is a weaker team for Ralph's poor judgement.
Posted by: Marty Smedley | August 26, 2008 8:54 PM
Turner should not have lost his starting role to Steffy, who has shown that he doesn't perform when the lights come on. Ralph sometimes makes weird personnel decisions. His devotion to Steffy is like his decision-making with Statham, another "practice" guy who couldn't perform when the lights came on.
Posted by: Terp76 | August 26, 2008 9:36 PM
Evidentally, Turner's performance last season meant nothing.I fully expect Turner to be the QB before lomg.
Posted by: Richard Davis MD."48 | August 26, 2008 10:41 PM
Please give me a break. I thought the Terps were moving forward but obviously there is this soft spot for Steffey. Fridge is one to talk that he wants his players to put out on every play. When has a player that does better in practice than in games get the nod over someone who plays better in games than in practice. A waste of 3-4 games this season before the obvious comes into play. I feel sorry for Steffey because he will get booed like last year but it will come sooner and be louder.
Posted by: jack | August 27, 2008 11:52 AM
If Turner was named the starter, is would have sent the message to every guy on that team that practice doesn't mean anything.
Turner played "OK" in a few games last year, does that mean he should be given the job??
Its Delaware, if Steffy struggles, Turner gets in and Fridge gets to keep his principles.
Posted by: BuddhaUMD | August 27, 2008 12:43 PM
Steffy makes to many mental errors. And Turner is twice the gamer that Steffy is. This is a huge mistake.
Posted by: RonDawg | August 27, 2008 3:12 PM
Everything I have read says Portis is the best athelete on the team...best runner, strongest arm. But Ralph says he hasn't mastered the system. So we go with Steffy, a senior who certainly knows the system ( 4 TD's, 8 Int. last year, really knows the system !). Appears Ralph is running scared, so he plays it safe with Steffy. Why not simplify the offense a little, give the best athlete 50 or so plays, and see what he can do. Portis was heavily recruited at Florida, so he must have some talent. But staying with Steffy is way to conservative, and probably means another 6 - 6 year, or worse. Go Terps!
Posted by: Ray | August 27, 2008 3:54 PM
Let's not act like Turner was some spectacular QB. From today's article about Steffey -
"Even after winning the starting job in preseason camp, Steffy knows his happy ending isn't guaranteed. Many fans have aligned with multidimensional quarterback Josh Portis or with Turner, who started last season's final eight games and completed 63.5percent of his passes as the Terrapins went 3-5."
3 and 5 isn't exactly lighting the world on fire. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Franklin and the Fridge. I don't think they'll keep Steffy on too long a leash.
Posted by: Vandwagon | August 28, 2008 9:41 AM
Let's all hope that Steffey gets drafted in the pros and Ralph follows him....FAT CHANCE, no pun intended.
Really though, if the kid suffers another concusion that should cost Ralph his job.
Posted by: Tom | August 28, 2008 7:41 PM