Sounds Like Danny O'Brien Is Still an Option

by Ben Broman on Nov 10, 2009 3:51 PM EST in Football Comment 12 comments

Look, right now, I can understand those who want Ralph Friedgen to stay on and coach another year, maybe even another two years. But if what looks like may happen actually happens, I won't be able to make any sense of defending him: From Inside MD Sports' Twitter:

Danny O'Brien talk persists. "To me, I've been ready to play Danny two weeks ago," Ralph says...

"I think that if he's the best guy, let's find out what he can do." -- This obviously depends on Turner's status and Robinson's play.

Patrick Stevens confirms:

Friedgen unwilling to say he definitely would not use Danny O'Brien at some stage in the next three games.

It's not a promise or a guarantee that he will use O'Brien at some point, but even considering it is outlandish to me. The three of the best defenses Maryland has to play all year come up in the next three weeks. It's not an ideal situation to give a freshman QB his first playing time. Oh, and I don't know if I really have to say this, but burning his redshirt for three games in a lost season is simply absurd.

If he's really good, then he's really good, but he isn't changing anything this year. It's just a waste of a possibly awesome senior year for him and this program. Playing O'Brien would be ridiculous short-sightedness from Ralph; he shouldn't even consider it. I don't even care if Robinson gets hurt - we have a bunch of converted QBs on the roster, from Torrey Smith to Tony Logan. Just run a full-out wildcat if you have to.

It would be even worse if Robinson wasn't hurt. He looked pretty decent against NCST, so I don't understand the hesitation from Ralph regarding him right now. Also, for all the talk of him getting "an extended look", he sure hasn't gotten much playing time this year.

Maybe I'm grasping for straws here with this, but it's another example of Friedgen not being a strong leader, or at least not making the right decisions.

For what it's worth, Lunch with the Fridge was canceled today. Whether it's Ralph or Debbie, I don't know. Take it at face value.

0 recs | Comment 12 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

at the very least

give robinson all the playing time because he has earned it. he has put in the time to this program and may not get another shot in his career. who knows, maybe robinson shows up and is our qb for the next couple years but we have the chance to find out now. turner would never have gotten a look in 06 if steffy didnt get injured

by t.shug on Nov 10, 2009 4:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Danny O'Brien

Let’s say Danny O’Brien is the Terps’ best bet for four great years, including the awesome redshirt senior year. It is clear that the fifth year for O’Brien is vastly more important to the program than just putting O’brien in so that the team looks a little better in the last three games this year. So the responsible decision is not to burn the redshirt.

Let’s say Turner is questionable and you need a QB for the last three games, so your team doesn’t look entirely futile, scaring away all your recruits. I also like the idea of giving Robinson all the time there is, if Turner is down. Still, you may need a QB in case Robinson gets hurt or is dreadful for too-long stretches. Does this mean you get CJ Brown ready? He’s not learning the plays as fast as O’Brien is, but he has to be better than sticking a RB in there. And Brown could use some experience too. Your thoughts?

by EdDC on Nov 10, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Even if Robinson is dreadful

What do we gain out of putting someone else in? I would legitimately rather run Navy’s offense or put Torrey Smith or Tony Logan back there before one of the freshmen at this point. It’s just such a waste. If one has to be played, I’d rather it be Danny, though, unless he’s utterly opposed to it. If we’re going to burn one, we might as well see if the guy can play.

by Ben Broman on Nov 10, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

perhaps fridge is trying to destroy the program so whoever takes over for him looks bad?

by nmprisons on Nov 10, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

cynical

by kckb8 on Nov 10, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More like he doesn’t really care what happens after he’s gone. He won’t be there for O’Brien’s senior year – why should he care? Maybe O’Brien’s a stud and steals three games, thus making his record three games better.

That’s cynical too, but possible.

by Ben Broman on Nov 10, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with most, but...

To say FSU is one of the three best defenses we play this year is beyond hyperbole. Clemson is far better, probably even more so than VT and BC. Fortunately for our 2 win season, their kicker is putrid.

by JC1 on Nov 10, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well you guys are right

Burning a RS with 3 games left in the season, unless all the guys ahead of him are just broken, is stupid.

Might as well take your losses and play for next year.

Shakinthesouthland.com-Clemson football analysis

by DrB on Nov 10, 2009 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

they shouldn’t burn o’brien’s redshirt unless robinson goes down. but if robinson goes down he has to play. you can’t just put torrey smith at qb and run the wildcat unless it’s the last half of the last game. if robinson should go down sat you have to o’brien and to even suggest you play smith at qb the rest of the year is idiotic and you shouldn’t even be allowed to blog. if you were a reporter you’d be looking for another job.

by fkterp on Nov 11, 2009 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What do you gain?

Let’s say it happens on Saturday. Turner isn’t dressed. Robinson gets hurt. Do you put in O’Brien, knowing well that Turner is probably capable to play against FSU?

If it happens tomorrow or in the first half against FSU, okay, then I can see it, especially if Turner’s not going to be able to go. It’s not what I would do, but it’s feasible. Otherwise, I see absolutely no advantage to it.

by Ben Broman on Nov 11, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

if robinson goes down this week you have to play o’brien. you have no guarantee turner can come back and you can’t throw in a kid who is a receiver and has probably practiced the wildcat maybe 20 times in practice and ask him to play a half or 3 quarters or the rest of the season. considering he is the best receiver and you take him out of that position to a position where he is going to run the ball 80% of the time and he’ll hand off the rest behind a poor offensive line smith will get crushed and maryland will go 3 and out almost everytime. you think he can effectively pass the ball? hopefully robinson will stay healthy and this will be a moot point but nonetheless you must be crazy? and i say that only in the most respectful way. i’ll address this on the radio tonight as i plan on calling into terptalk between 6 and 7 on espn 1300.

by fkterp on Nov 12, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"if robinson goes down he has to play"

There is no reason to waste a redshirt on the last one to three games of a lost season if Robinson gets hurt. I would say put Tony Logan in at QB. If not that, then run the wing-T.

by JC1 on Nov 11, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs