A Case of Crossed Signals for Terps?

Turner and Friedgen Play Down Perceived Rift After Loss to Florida State

The coach and the quarterback went about their own ways of playing down the signs of a rift this week, saying they have both moved past a mini-controversy touched off last Saturday when Coach Ralph Friedgen benched Chris Turner during Maryland's loss at Florida State.

"The last thing we need is another distraction with something like this," said Turner, whose frank postgame comments expressing his frustrations with the coach's decision only added to the drama. And Friedgen said he has held no ill will toward Turner this week, as the Terrapins prepare for perhaps their biggest game of the season.

But just how far the two have come to resolving their issues -- whether real or perceived -- will be on display tomorrow when Maryland plays at North Carolina State. Both teams need a victory to likely claim the ACC's final remaining bowl spot.

"You know me, I'm not T.O.," Turner said, referring to Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens. "I don't like controversy."

More than anything, the benching and subsequent fallout have provided a glimpse into the nature of the relationship between two figures who must work so closely despite such contrasting personalities. Friedgen, who also serves as the Terrapins' offensive coordinator, is regarded as a notoriously demanding perfectionist. In his short time as a starter, Turner has become known for a laid-back attitude that can be mistaken for indifference.

Indeed, as Turner attempts to continue his ascent from third-stringer to perhaps a place as the Terrapins' quarterback of the future, whether he can function under Friedgen will increasingly take on paramount importance.

Once again, Friedgen stuck with a familiar pattern this week, declaring Turner the starter but not without adding a caveat.

"He's still our starting quarterback," Friedgen said. But "he better play good on Saturday, or there will be someone else in there. That's the message that was sent [by the benching]. Make the damned play."

Friedgen's frustration with Turner boiled over late in the first half against the Seminoles. After Turner threw behind Darrius Heyward-Bey on a slant pattern, a poor pass that probably cost the Terrapins a touchdown, Friedgen inserted Jordan Steffy at quarterback without telling anybody on the coaching staff or even Turner.

"It's just hard to get into Coach Friedgen's head sometimes," Turner said. "It's hard to know why he's thinking and why he's doing this and why he's doing that. That's just the way he is; he's not going to change."

Even the way each has handled the situation underscores the differences in their personalities.

Though Turner stopped short of apologizing for his postgame comments, he said he regretted the tone. Turner, among other things, revealed that quarterbacks coach John Donovan didn't realize that Turner was out of the game until after a full series had been played with Steffy at the helm.

"It was just a bad choice of words on my part," Turner said. "Some of the things I said were just in bad taste and I recognize that. To be honest, I was venting a little bit. I wasn't happy after the game. It was a tough loss and I wasn't too happy about being taken out."

On Monday, Turner said he met with Donovan and Friedgen to clear the air.

"It always helps to talk about things and get it out there," Turner said. "To get it off my chest, it made me feel better, made everyone feel better."

While Turner was contrite, Friedgen moved forward with a spirited defense of the way he has handled his quarterback. In his most animated session with reporters all season on Wednesday, Friedgen spent nearly 10 minutes espousing Turner's potential.

"He's doing a lot of good things and I'm not down on him at all," said Friedgen, who gave the controls back to Turner for the entire second half, after Steffy struggled. "If I was down on him, he wouldn't have been back in the game."

But Friedgen also again shared his frustration at Turner's inconsistencies and denied meeting with Turner on Monday.

"Now, if I was a guy who would hold a grudge, or if he would hold a grudge on it, then we've got to sit down and talk," Friedgen said. "But to me, it's over. I've moved on."