Seven games into the football season, this much is apparent. The Maryland Terrapins (5-2) and the Washington Redskins (4-3) are the same team.
Both have new quarterbacks that have provided hope. Both have offensive lines that are shaky but vastly improved from a year ago. Both have defenses that give up gobs of yards but also force gobs of turnovers.
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Both teams have plus-8 turnover margins, and, it seems, positive luck margins. While Maryland has won all three of its close games, the Redskins have won four of six decided by a touchdown or less.
“People can say what they want, but I think the reason we won a lot of these close games as opposed to last year is that we’re not turning the ball over and we’re forcing turnovers on defense,” Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien said.
But those words could have just as easily been said by any of the Redskins.
While there is plenty of cynicism surrounding both teams, fans are at least happy that the fall of 2009 is a distant memory. While the Redskins had their worst season since 1994, the Terps had their first 10-loss season in history.
So for both the Redskins and Terps, 2010 is about modest goals and the hope for a better future. For Redskins fans, a playoff appearance in the lackluster NFC will do. For fans of the Terps, a bowl game and perhaps eight wins will be enough.
The big difference between the teams is the coaching situations. In Mike Shanahan, the Redskins have a coach who fans seem to trust to build a winner. This year, Shanahan is doing what he does best — developing a strong rushing attack.
In Ralph Friedgen, however, Maryland fans are on the fence. New athletic director Kevin Anderson will no doubt be interested to see how many seats are filled Saturday when the Terps play Wake Forest.
The belief here is that Friedgen, through self-examination, has taken steps to rescue the program and deserves to stay. He also is doing what he does best, developing a promising quarterback. He should be allowed to see the process through.
