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 CLEVELAND - Coach Romeo Crennel said rookie quarterback Charlie Frye had one good half, one bad half in his first NFL start.
Given the sad state of this season, that half-filled glass should be enough for the Browns to take another taste of Frye again next week in Cincinnati. The fact that the Browns lost 20-14 to the Jacksonville Jaguars is all the more reason to stay with Frye. The Browns' record is 4-8. The reason they scored those two touchdowns was that Frye made a pair of savvy throws, and he did it to fellow rookie Braylon Edwards. If you want to pick apart how Frye played in the second half, go ahead. He held the ball too long. He took too many sacks. He wasn't able to find some receivers when the defense was in his face. But keep in mind that he didn't throw an interception. He didn't fumble. Zero turnovers is impressive, especially when facing the No. 3-ranked defense in the NFL. Keep in mind this was his first pro start on a day best suited for a sequel to "March of the Penguins" as it was windy, cold and not easy to throw. While Frye had some stumbles, no one can accuse of him falling on his face.
He is used to this type of weather because he played high school ball in Willard and then four years in the drafty Rubber Bowl. As the quarterback for a struggling program at the University of Akron, he often played from behind with a sometimes overmatched offensive line. Several Browns players praised Frye's composure and leadership skills. Center Jeff Faine and running back Reuben Droughns said you'd never have guessed it was his first start. If Frye had been overwhelmed and panicked, then there would be reason to rush veteran Trent Dilfer and his aching knees back into action. After the game, Crennel refused to name a quarterback for next week. He seemed to hint that it would be Dilfer. Then the coach said he'd make "a game-time decision." What's to decide? Dilfer is 33 years old. He's been in the NFL for 12 years. He's been reduced to a backup since 2000, until joining the Browns this season to serve as a mentor and keep the immediate heat off Frye having to start. Crennel's strange tactics of giving Frye an occasional series, then taking him out, is utterly worthless. It doesn't help either quarterback. From the moment in training camp when Frye was named the backup, the clock was ticking until it was his time. So it should not be a shock to Dilfer if he suddenly becomes the backup. It eventually will be his role. There was a wonderful coming attraction in the first half when Frye connected with Edwards. Frye saw a penalty flag and knew the Jaguars were off-side. This gave him the freedom to heave the ball into the end zone, which he did, and the 6-foot-3 Edwards soared over two defenders to snare the pass for a touchdown. Later, he found Edwards over the middle on a 17-yard slant for a touchdown. Dating back to the preseason, it seems that Frye has better chemistry with Edwards than does Dilfer. Frye seems to know that he can throw the ball up high and let Edwards jump up and try to catch it. That was the idea when the Browns made Edwards the third pick in the draft. He finished the day with five catches and demanded a lot of defensive attention. But remember, these are the Browns. Nothing good lasts for long, not even an entire afternoon. Edwards went up for a pass in the fourth quarter, came down painfully on his right knee and was carted off. It would be a shock if he can play the rest of the season. As Browns fullback Terrelle Smith said, "I've been with other teams that I thought were cursed, then I came here ... " At some point, this has to stop. Maybe it will start with Frye. He deserves the chance. READ MORE / LINK |
