Friedgen says Josh Portis still in the mix
We haven't seen much of Josh Portis lately, and I wondered after the Virginia Tech game whether the grand Portis experiment was over.
The Terps, as you know, had been using Portis as a situational quarterback. He had given them another running threat (he has thrown the ball only twice). He has rushed for 167 yards this season and averages 5.8 yards per carry.
Coach Friedgen said that, no, the Portis experiment isn't over. Fridge said offensive coordinator James Franklin might have been reluctant to use Portis against Virginia Tech Thursday night. "I think James was a little hesitant with the crowd noise," Fridge said.
Left unsaid is that Portis has had issues in the past with calling the right play and managing the team. But Fridge said he might still summon Portis, particularly with running back Da'Rel Scott still nursing a sore shoulder and Maryland needing to revive its running game.
Comments
The problem with the running game isnt the RBs. If Scott isnt healthy, Davin Meggett has more than proven his worth. First rule of offense is you cna only do what your OL allows you to do. Even the best RBs in the world cant consistently run through non-existant holes. When we get Da'Rel and Davin (or any RB) past the LOS...thats when their ability to break a run happens.
BTW - what ever happened to Morgan Green? He's disappeared... Doghouse "issues"?
Sorry...I digress. And I have to repeat. The problem with the running game is the inconsistency of the OL, not the RBs. Suit me up and get me past the LOS and I can fall forward for 4 yards a run!! The key is getting past the LOS.
Also have to ask (just curious; not being critical) why Coach Franklin runs slow developing outside the tackle running plays to the short side of the field? (see VT tape) I understand that play calling isnt a foolproof business and never going to be perfect but...
And also...is RF (or JF) still trying to run a 'balanced offense' when one aspect of it is clearly not working?
I still maintain Josh needs to be on the field and I have to ask if the coaching staff ever exlpored or considered using him at some variation of RB or WR which would eliminate what we all have seen as difficulty calling and running called plays. No more motion penalties due to a different cadence. Plus IMHO Chris Turner has established himself as our best player QB. (I'd like to see him really dedicate himself in the weightroom this offseason so he leads the long throws better and perhaps can scramble if need be)
Maybe if Josh is in as a RB or WR 'other options' open up - or at least the possibilities - and the opposing defenses just cant send everyone like they consistently did during the VT game.
Posted by: terps06 | November 13, 2008 12:41 PM
The upcoming game with UNC seems the perfect time to use Portis in a halfback option situation. Portis' running ability and option to pass, would give UNC's defense a new wrinkle, similar to Bob Ross vs Miami when the latter overpursued on each play in Baltimore. Success would certainly give the offense as well as Portis confidence for the future.
Posted by: Dan Copper | November 13, 2008 10:57 PM