There's less than a week left in Maryland's spring football practice --- just three sessions to go, but who's counting?

The looming question for many fans seems to center around, as it nearly always is, who will be the Terrapins' quarterback. It's a safe bet it's one of the first two or three questions coach Ralph Friedgen is asked about tomorrow at his end-of-spring luncheon.

Anyone who expects a concrete answer by April 26 is kidding themselves, even if the evidence from last year suggests Chris Turner is the logical choice. After all, Turner played well for the most part, Jordan Steffy couldn't stay healthy and Josh Portis couldn't even make it onto the field before he was suspended for the year.

History says a team coached by Friedgen will not have a definitive starter until August. And when August arrives, which will be a larger component in deciding a QB --- 15 spring practices or how a guy is faring after a summer of work with receivers in 7-on-7 work?

That's one of the reasons I cast a wary eye to performance of established player in spring practice. It is a time to tinker. It is a time to play around with positions. It is a time to avoid injuries. It is a time to learn.

It's not a time to collect the bulk of the evidence for decisions that can easily be deferred until later.

So obsess over scrimmage performances (Steffy has been better than Turner this spring) or past performance (everyone knows about that) or Maryland's new West Coast scheme or each player's attendance at practice (Steffy has missed Tuesday workouts because of a class) if you so choose. Just remember it will only mean so much when camp starts in another three and a half months.

--- Patrick Stevens