 THERE is nowhere to hide in a football huddle. Offensive linemen who miss blocks resulting in a sack and receivers who drop passes have to look the quarterback in the eye when he calls the next play. Trent Dilfer did not play well in Minnesota and he has been inconsistent all season, but it's not like he's the only pimple on an otherwise flawless face.
Dilfer, like most quarterbacks, won't blame his offensive line when things don't go well. He'll praise the line when the protection is good, but when he gets sacked five times as he did by the Vikings, Dilfer will talk about how well the opposing defense played and say his protection has been good all year.
Naturally, players appreciate not being singled out for their errors publicly. Dilfer might get loud in practice or in meetings, but he has not criticized his teammates.
''I go over to Trent and say, I got your back. Whatever you need me to do, Trent, that's what I'll do to make you comfortable throwing the ball,''' fullback Terrelle Smith said. ''That's a level of one player to another player. What we need to do is have everybody thinking that. It takes time. It isn't easy.
''I can't speak for other players, but I take it personally when Trent gets sacked.''
One of the two interceptions Dilfer threw against the Vikings hit Braylon Edwards square in the hands, and though coach Romeo Crennel doesn't cast blame either, it seems like Edwards is involved every time there is a communication problem between a quarterback and a receiver.
A communication problem' was given as the reason Dilfer missed Edwards on a slant in Pittsburgh. Had they connected, the Browns might have had a 14-0 lead. Miscommunication again was given as the reason Charlie Frye's pass intended for Edwards was intercepted by Vikings' safety Darren Sharper. For that matter, the interception Frye was charged with in the Dolphins' game hit Edwards in the chest, but he failed to control the ball.
Dilfer played on three different teams in 11 seasons before signing with the Browns in March. By now, he's used to a lack of support.
Coping with the frustrations of teammates not doing what they are supposed to do is part of the learning experience for Frye. He did not look happy in Minnesota, and not just because his only play was the interception.
So now the dilemma facing Crennel is deciding when to play Frye again. Frye played in spot duty each of the last two games, but the only time he got into any kind of rhythm was when he managed a 14-play drive that lasted 5:58 at the end of the first half against the Dolphins. Crennel has to balance trying to win the last five games with finding out whether Frye is truly as good as he was against the Bears in the final preseason game with an eye toward 2006.
Both of Dilfer's knees were injured playing the Vikings, yet, if he is healthy, he will start against the Jaguars Sunday. An announcement is expected today on MRI tests done Monday on Dilfer's knees. Crennel said, as he understands it, there is no structural damage.
''I don't think I'm shorting Charlie when I say this, but Trent Dilfer is definitely better,'' center Jeff Faine said. ''He's seen a lot more. I think that's the big difference. He's experienced a lot and seen a lot on the field. I think those things make him better.''
Getting more support from the 10 players around him would also make Dilfer better. READ MORE/LINK
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