"My answer was that first I was going to show them how not to lose," he said.
After figuring out how to avoid losing, the Terps need to figure out an offensive scheme that will put more points on the scoreboard than a porous defense will allow.
Maryland averaged 22.5 points per game a year ago, but had LaMont Jordan carrying most of the load.
With Jordan since departed, the Terps need to get more production out of senior quarterback Shaun Hill, a mobile athlete who played in six games last year.
"We don't have a quarterback like Joe Hamilton," Friedgen said, alluding to his days at Tech. "But we have a senior quarterback who has some talent and is starting to understand the offense better."
Maryland's top priority is shoring up its defense, a unit that allowed nearly 26 points per game last year. The Terps couldn't stop the run, allowing more than 186 yards per game, and couldn't
defend against the pass, giving up nearly 254 yards in the air per contest.
New defensive coordinator Gary Blackney will try to eliminate the big passing plays the Terrapins gave up in 2000. That means getting penetration from his defensive linemen, who are undersized and inexperienced.
"I have concerns there," Friedgen said. "My concern is if we don't play low, we'll get blown off the line and we'll get in the way of our linebackers."
The linebackers give Friedgen a bit of relief, as outside linebacker Aaron Thompson, middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and rush linebacker Mike Whaley return to form a solid nucleus.
Despite the problems with the current roster, players believe Friedgen is the right man to lead the Terps from their recent limbo. Maryland has ended the season above .500 once in the past 15 years.
"Coach Friedgen has definitely brought a new, positive attitude to the football program," center Melvin Fowler said.
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