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How Does this Keep happening?

Every time us Terp fans think the football team is about to break out of that decent but not great mold, something like this happens. There is no reason Maryland shouldn't be 6-0 right now.  We've got the talent.  We've got an experienced, senior led team.  We've got a good quarterback, fantastic running back(s) and a awesome wide receiver. Most coaches would dream of having that, especially if you threw in a deep, senior led offensive line.  So what gives? We've shown what we can do as a team - put points on the board and shut down good teams like Clemson and Cal.  But then we show that we can also seemingly not care against teams like UVA and Middle Tennessee State. So why is this team so Jackle and Hyde? And why is this a reapeating pattern over the last 5+ years?

There is only one constant - his name is Ralph Friedgen.  Just to set the record straight, I'm not calling for Ralph's firing.  Need to say the up front.

Star-divide

I think the Fridge does everything he can to prepare his players for every game.  In practice before the UVA game, Fridge even said that the team had a great week of practice...yet, if they had such a good week, why did Ralph say he had butterflies in his stomach leading up to the game?

Here's my theory - Ralph is one of the best at motivating his team using the "Us vs. the World" mentality. Pre-season, he'll say "No one respects us" and gets his team fired up.  But once Maryland starts making noise, Ralph seems to lose his confidence and that seems to carry over to his players.  There is no reason anyone, especially the head coach, should have thought MD would lost against UVA.  What was Ralph's attitude before the game in the lockerroom?  Was it "kill these guys" or was it "we could lose."  I wasn't there, so I don't know.  But it seems like it games like this, where seemingly Maryland is heavily favored to win, the Terps come out and play down to their opponents. Maybe the team senses what Ralph does and loses their confidence. Maybe the team is quitly of "looking ahead."

Something is wrong when you've beaten your last 4 ranked opponents, including two Top 10 teams, yet you're 0-2 in games against teams that you easily should beat.

Something has to be done - whether it's an adjustment by Ralph or an addition to the coaching staff. If this keeps happening, there is no way Marlyland will build this program into a annual top 25 power.

Additionally, does anyone else think it might be time for Cosh to go, or make serious adjustments,  as Defensive coordinator?  It just seems like our defense is missing tackles, not pressuring the quarterback, and when we build big leads, nothin is safe becase our D just dropps back into a prevent D, dispite the fact that earlier defensive schemes in that same gameworked wonders.

Poll
Do you think Ralph Friedgen needs to alter his coaching style and approach when it comes to weaker opponents?
Yes!!!
39 votes
No, it's not the coaches fault.
6 votes

45 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 3 comments

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MD vs UVA

Well, Well, Well!!! As I stated once before, Maryland really knows how to play down to their competition or do they? They actually have to play to do that. What in the world happened and a Big F deal that the team practiced well during the week. None of the plays were executied, there was NO pass rush, no blitz no nothing! What a depressing game and I wonder how the players feel? I am gld I was not in the locker room at any time halt time or the end of the game. I just want to know what in the heck is Ralph going to do to “fix” this mess. The one good thing for this Saturday they cannot give away a win. Lets hope that the entire team, including the coahing staff prep well and come out on the 18th fired up to beat the crap out of Wake.

by madalou on Oct 7, 2008 10:20 PM EDT   0 recs

great response

I couldn’t have put it any better myself. Oh course we’ll come out and beat Wake – they’re ranked. Fridge will have them pumped up. But then we’ll lose to another crappy team 2 weeks later.

by homertuck on Oct 8, 2008 9:48 AM EDT   0 recs

The players just don't get it

They get way too cocky when they are the favorites. Before the game I wrote…

“A few days ago a friend at UMCP asked one of the Terp players (he wasn’t sure which one) if they were going to win and he replied, "UVA sucks, we will kill them." They better not go in with the same overconfident attitude they had vs. MTS.”

http://www.testudotimes.com/2008/10/2/627219/signs-back-at-uva

Navarre said a similar thing about the first four games being the “preseason.” New Flash; all the games count! It does not seem like they will ever learn as it happens time and time again, and for that, Ralph must take blame. Whether he overlooks the opponents himself, or just allows his players to get overconfident, it has to stop, now.

They better be prepared for Wake.

by DT711 on Oct 8, 2008 1:54 PM EDT   0 recs

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