Musings on the quarterback situation
I've often thought quarterback controversies can be sort of fun, at least for the fans.
Fans get to ponder a variety of quarterback possibilities and scenarios. If they don't like the incumbent, they can always imagine that their team's fortunes would improve if only the coach would bring in the other guy to call signals
.
But what if the other guy is summoned and isn't the immediate answer?
That takes some of the excitement out of it. Suddenly, all the optimistic speculation is replaced by ... reality.
You could argue that's what happened Saturday when Chris Turner replaced Jordan Steffy and threw three interceptions in a 24-14 loss to Middle Tennessee State. Suddenly, it became harder to believe the answer to an underachieving offense lay in removing Steffy from the lineup.
But one game does not a quarterback or season make.
Remember last year's North Carolina game? The Turner-led Terps slipped to 4-5 with a loss to a team that hadn't beaten them since 2000. Maryland, which managed only 13 points, seemed to be driving for a tying field goal at the end but Turner's last two passes went incomplete.
Things couldn't have looked bleaker for Maryland and Turner, who then went out the next week and threw for 337 yards in a 42-35 win against a stellar Boston College team.
I'm not saying that'll happen again this week against Cal. But it showed again that you have to assess teams and quarterbacks based on seasons, not individual games.
Comments
I never thought Turner alone was the answer to the Terps offensive woes, though I was expecting a better performance than the one Saturday night.
As for Portis, he has not shown anything to give me confidence that he can handle actually leading the team. On the other hand, he has not really been given the chance to do so. If they want to see what Portis can do they need to put him in for a series or two, not just a play or two. Why not gameplan for Cal that Turner is going to start and go the first two offensive series and Portis is going to go the next two? Give him a chance to get comfortable on the field actually running the offense, even if on a scaled down basis.
Posted by: Jack | September 8, 2008 1:40 PM
I like Jack's idea. Portis has not impressed but every time he has come in, the defense knew he was going to run the same play. he really didn't have much of a chance.
Turner played poorly but at least he has shown that he can move the team and win. We can only hope he regains his confidence and starts doing that. We have seen enough of Steffy to know what he offers - and it is not enough to win in the ACC. I'd rather takes the ups and downs with Turner than be mired in mediocrity with Steffy.
And who knows what Portis will do if given a chance? One thing we do know - Ralph cannot evaluate a QB in practice so his opinion of Portis does not mean much now.
Posted by: Scott | September 8, 2008 4:27 PM
After Cal scored 66 points last week using their third string, UM had best hope their quarterback issues are solved before the Cal game or it could be a long afternoon. I hope the team is smarter than the UM ticket staff, as they mispelled Berkeley on the visitor's tickets (Berkley).
Posted by: Keith | September 8, 2008 7:54 PM
Play calling and coaching is going to limit whatever QB is in there. How about some discussion about that?
How exactly was the Offense going to score "50 points per game" throwing 6 yard swing passes?
I'd prattle on about the defensive line too, except at least they didn't promise us shutouts every week.
Posted by: Colfax | September 8, 2008 8:07 PM