I firmly believe that Fridge's offense is the most effective when the option is a viable... well... option. One of his more amazing accomplishments his first few years here was running the option with QBs who had absolutely no reputation for being mobile. It's funny how "the right guys" to run the option can sometimes be Shaun Hill and Scott McBrien, they don't have to be supposedly mobile guys like Steffy (no comment there).

I remember one play in our big one-sided win at WVU in 2003 when McBrien ran an option play that was basically a naked bootleg out of the shotgun. Faked the handoff to the RB who went left along with the entire offensive line. McBrien kept the ball and went right, practically walking into the end zone. Hilarious... I think that was the game when we were up 28-0 at halftime.

will fickle maryland fans go for an option offense. remember jerry clairborne built a really nice program at md based on running the ball and defense and was let go. a big reason he was let go was the offense was boring.

Interesting that in your quote, RF didnt mention Jamaar as being able to run an option. Did I miss that?

You'd think Jamaar has the quickness and footspeed to be very effective running an option. Is RF more focused on his freshman and transfer QB than the one taking snaps?

OK. I'll bite. If so, then what becomes of Jamaar in 2010 if he's not the QB? Clipboard? or do we try and find a place on this team to use his skills? Maybe Don Brown can use him on defense or we can use him on special teams.

Sadly, everyone is talking different alignments. options, play calling, etc when the MAJOR problem isnt the skill postions on offense - its the lack of a good OL. Running an option requires excellent blocking up front from OL who are quick. Pulling guards and tackles. Wheres that critical component coming from?

We wont be successful again offensively until RF and staff recruit and develop a strong Div 1-A caliber Offensive line (and the same thing goes for defense too) Winning the battle on the line of scrimmage is as basic a rule as you can get in winning football games.

Jeff-

Don't you wish that Fridge would just suck it up and start one of the 2 Frosh?
Either Brown or O'Brien?
They would still have 3 years left, and in college football, that is VERY RARE.
Also, they could determine what they have and don't have for next recruiting class and beyond.

He'd think about it..no plan in place huh? Is it me or does Fridge seem a little lax?

Terps06-

Our BEST O-lineman are there now. They are just redshirting.
Pinegar will be back.
For instance, Peter White is a RS and was the #1 rated OL in the region. He chose the Terps over Florida, WV, and a host of other top programs.
The other lineman are just young too. We are the 2nd youngest team in D1.
Thats NO excuse, don't get me wrong.

I still see a BIGGER problem with the DL actually. Brown wants to blitz and pressure, and we are too bad at covering to NOT get to the QB or in the backfield.
Anyway, hopefully DeOnte Arnett will help with that, but he too is a RS this year.

Honestly i think robinson is the way to go, with a terrible o-line he brings the most to the table. They say he has the stongest arm and im sure the best legs. Give him a chance these last few games to see what he can do and if he succeeds the job is his.

The option could be fun to watch, but one big necessary element that MD is missing is an offensive line. The current line is garbage. How would MD's qb and rb's run down the field? If you look at GT, Navy, and WV, they have strong lines which makes their offenses effective.

Ryan - I actually see some good coming out of the troubles the OL has experienced this year. Young kids are getting experience (Dill, Pinegar) and yes we have some RS frosh who are supposed to be good but they'll need time to learn and gain experience - they wont just step in and dominate. We cant be a good program with walk-ons starting at key OL positions. One other problem I've seen is that our OL are bulky and slow. We need more footspeed on the OL. Quickness is a key element at every position. Until the OL solidifies our skill players will not bbe able to succeeed. Look at how CT has been harrassed and hurried all year and our RBs - who have talent have had nowhere to run. The OL has to be a major prioity next season.

The DL is another problem. No end effective speed rusher since Merriman. The recruiting here has killed the rest of the defense.

All of this isnt one season gone bad because of "bad luck". Its unfortunately been a pattern for several years.

Something with this program needs to be changed and fixed - and its with the coaching staff. I'm not necessarily talking "fire everyone and start over" but if we continue the same way we've been going for the past five years (downhill) things are never going to get better. How much lower can you be than the worst football program in the ACC?

I feel badly for the players. They're out there busting their humps, doing their best, and failing. I dont get on players who may be less talented - recruiting, game planning and coaching arent their responsibility. I dont see them quitting but its terribly hard to get motivated when things look so grim.

I'll be there today tailgating , at Terrapin Alley and the game, offering my support and hoping we can give ourselves a chance to win.

I'm dreading the prospect of possibly as many as 10-15k VT fans in the stands.