COLLEGE PARK - Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen has shown in recent months that he isn't as intractable as some believe. Friedgen brought in a new offensive coordinator, James Franklin, named him assistant head coach and let him overhaul the offense.
Now, entering his eighth season at Maryland, Friedgen seems willing to alter his philosophy when it comes to his quarterbacks.
With incumbent Chris Turner unable to separate himself from either Jordan Steffy or Josh Portis, Friedgen said earlier this week that he might consider using a two- - or even three- - quarterback system this season.
"I hope they're all capable of winning," Friedgen said after practice Monday. "I think they all have strengths, I think there's things that we can try to play to each of their strengths. I don't normally like to do that, but I can see us doing that."
That Turner and Portis are so different - Turner is the prototype pocket passer and Portis is more a hybrid, with the big-play potential coming as much with his legs as with his arm - could make the Terps more difficult to defend.
"Switching up quarterbacks isn't bad. It gives a different dimension," said Portis, who was used mostly to run the ball during his freshman year at Florida by Urban Meyer while playing behind Chris Leak. "It kind of puts a lot of pressure on defenses."
Some clarity could come tonight, when the Terps hold a mock scrimmage and each quarterback is given a chance to work with the first-team offense. According to Friedgen, a final decision could be reached by tomorrow or after Saturday's second full scrimmage at Byrd Stadium.
It might come down to a simple fact.
"Obviously, I'm looking for consistency and guys who can make plays on a consistent basis," Friedgen said yesterday. "If I can get one guy to stand out with that, I think that would make my decision."
Part of Friedgen's dilemma is Turner's inconsistency, as well as the way Portis has steadily improved during preseason camp. After coming in when Steffy sustained a concussion against Rutgers in the fifth game last season, Turner started the last eight games with mixed results.
"Everyone has on-days and off-days," said Turner, who threw seven touchdowns and had seven interceptions while completing 63.5 percent of his passes. "I guess putting together a number of on-days in a row, no one has done that at this point."
