GREENSBORO, N.C. --- Maryland brings plenty of questions into the 2010 season.
Who will start its opener at quarterback apparently isn't one.
Ralph Friedgen said Jamarr Robinson will get the nod in the Sept. 6 opener against Navy, a surprisingly early nod for a coach who frequently waited deep into camp to anoint starters in the past.
"I think Jamarr will be the starting quarterback, but like every position it's still going to be competitive," Friedgen said. "The biggest concern I have with the other guys is they haven't had any playing time. I see them developing. I'm not disappointed in them at all. I really would like to get them into some games so they could get some experience. I think that's the main quality Jamarr has over them is he's had [four] games of experience."
Robinson barely played until the final month of last season, but did draw two starts after Chris Turner suffered an MCL injury at N.C. State. Robinson completed 46 of 85 passes for 459 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and also rushed for 229 yards.
"When Turner got huirt, it was a tough thing for us, but in the long run it might be a blessing," Friedgen said.
During the late-season stretch, Friedgen hinted he might burn the redshirt of Danny O'Brien, a possibility that seemed short-sighted as Maryland limped to a 2-10 finish. But O'Brien remained on the bench, and both he and C.J. Brown enter this season as Robinson's top backups.
The question then becomes whether either redshirt freshman is truly needed. Given Robinson's willingness to scamper when the pocket collapses to make something of a busted play, he offers an element the Terps haven't had in years.
He also represents a risk --- something that could force Friedgen to find a different starter at some point this fall.
"The biggest concern I have there is him staying healthy," Friedgen said.
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