The quarterback quandary

The question that came up a few weeks back has returned.

Namely, when does Maryland start playing for the future at quarterback.

Clearly not this week, not so long as the Terrapins harbor slim bowl hopes. Besides, if Chris Turner is going to author a career day this season, it very well might come against a weak N.C. State pass defense.

But down the road? Will Jamarr Robinson get a look. More importantly, could Danny O'Brien burn his redshirt deep in a potentially lost season?

"I'm in a real dillemma there," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "We talked about it for about an hour today in a staff meeting. I don't think Danny really wants to play. He'd rather redshirt. But the quandary is obviously I want to do whatever we have to do to win games. Then we go into next year without really an experienced quarterback. That's the thing I'm throwing back and forth. I'm probably damned if I do and damned if I don't."

The strange thing from the outside looking in is that if there is a change made, why not just give Robinson an extended look and save O'Brien's season --- especially if Friedgen is right and the true freshman doesn't want to burn his redshirt?

The flip side is that if the staff views O'Brien as a more-than-likely starter in 2010, then there would be an impetus to get him snaps.

In any case, it's all hypothetical right now, anyway --- at least until Friedgen and the Terps pull a trigger

"Right now, we'd probably go with Jamarr and see how he does," Friedgen said. "If he doesn't do well and I have to win a game,  I gotta do what I've gotta do to win a game."

--- Patrick Stevens