Fridge says Steffy could get into bowl game
Remember this guarantee from coach Ralph Friedgen? It came after starting quarterback Jordan Steffy was awaiting X-rays on his right thumb following Maryland's season-opening victory over Delaware.
"I can tell you this, regardless of who plays this week or next week or whatever, Jordan will come in and win the game for us before the season's over. I promise you that," Friedgen said at the time.
Well, it turns out Fridge hasn't forgotten that pledge. He reminded reporters yesterday that "I've said all along" that Steffy would return from what turned out to be a fracture. Then Fridge said: "It wouldn't surprise me if this [the Dec. 30 Humanitarian Bowl] is the one."
I asked the coach if he considers Steffy to be the No. 2 quarterback these days behind Chris Turner. "Probably," he said.
Steffy said he'd be happy to play in what will be his last game for the Terps. He said he won't be able to grip the football the same as he once did -- at least not until until he has surgery following the season. But he can still throw.
Steffy, a graduate student, said he'll appear at halftime of the Sugar Bowl to receive an award from Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association for his off-the-field charity work.
Friedgen isn't shy about his affection for Steffy. "I love the kid," the coach said.
Comments
Yeah, I mean Steffy never had an issue with fumbles or interceptions before the hand injury so he should be fine.......lol
Posted by: BuddhaUMD | December 12, 2008 8:44 AM
i hope steffy gets to play at least a quarter. he deserves the chance to go out as a player not just an observer.
Posted by: fkterp | December 12, 2008 10:36 AM
yeah,he really deserves to get into a bowl game,since MD isn't in the orange,chic,gator,champs,music,ect. what does it matter now!
Posted by: curt | December 12, 2008 11:26 AM
What a bunch of grinches you guys are. I happen to admire the way Steffy -- who was a 4-star pick coming out of high school -- has handled all the adversity. I also admire Ralph's loyalty to his players, which is very important to incoming recruits. So how about a little holiday good will to all men, including QBs?
Posted by: KD Wiz | December 12, 2008 3:28 PM
I know this is the Humanitarian Bowl and we don't deserve to be playing anyway but if Ralph is dumb enough to put Steffy in, he should be fired on the spot. He should not be allowed to fly back with the team. He has to be out of his mind. Steffy never did anything when he was healthy and playing him now would prove Ralph has a mental illness
Posted by: ben | December 12, 2008 4:40 PM
i love it. a terp fan flies to boise in december to watch a night game and gets steffy at qb. overcome by the fridge's loyalty to this future charity worker, the terp fan donates 160million over 8 years to the athletic dept to fund more recruiting of charity workers who can't punt, pass, run, or catch.
Posted by: doc | December 13, 2008 1:20 AM
I'm with KD Wiz on this one; some of you need to go to Oz and get a heart. Football obviously didn't work for Steffy but he's a class act who was committed to the program. Playing him for 2 quarters in a junk bowl isn't going to ruffle my feathers.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 13, 2008 10:26 AM
Way to let personal feelings get in the way of what's right for the team Ralph. This whole Steffy debacle really hurt the team and I think had an effect on the team's psyche early which would explain losing to TSU.
While I appreciate the fact we've made 6 bowl games in Ralph's 8 years--I was there from 87-92 --so I remember maybe the worst coach ever Joe Krivac and what a joke the program was. Ralph has done a good job resurrecting what was a moribund program. But his selections of coordiantors to replace the excellent Taffe and Balckney have been poor. Luckily, Cosh left and hopefully we'll hire someone who has the aggressive philospohy Blackney does. Now we just need to scrap this outdated, derivitive, unimaginative west coast offense Franklin runs.
Posted by: jamal | December 13, 2008 10:49 AM
I love my wife and she has a great heart (but not such a good arm). If we are pinking teams for a neighborhood football game. I'm picking Tom across the street over her because he won't turn the ball over. I think she will still sleep with me after we win. This stuff ain't to hard to figure out. If they take Chris out I'll turn the darn game off and cancel my season tickets. CLEARLY Turner gives us our best chance to win. Is that not the goal?
Posted by: bob | December 13, 2008 6:51 PM