Sorry, Charlie
Posted September 10th, 2007 by Marla Ridenour
When Charlie Frye was pulled in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, there was an overwhelming feeling of sadness surrounding the third-year quarterback. Veteran linebacker Willie McGinest approached Frye on the sideline, presumably to offer support. But for much of the game, Frye stood alone, apart from heir apparent Brady Quinn, diligently charting plays until the final whistle. Frye's teammates know how hard he worked in the off-season; Kellen Winslow said last week Frye was studying at 2 a.m.
I can't help but think back to the Senior Bowl, when ESPN decided to chronicle Frye's every move for 'Outside the Lines' and was rewarded when Frye was named the game's MVP. That week, Frye's receivers said he was the best quarterback they'd ever played with. Frye was confident yet humble. That March, the Green Bay Packers showed some interest in Frye as the replacement for Brett Favre. The kid who had a Bernie Kosar poster in his bedroom was on top of the world when he was drafted by the Browns.
Now he's been through the NFL grinder and one wonders if he'll ever be the same. He was a third-round pick who never blew anyone away with his arm strength. Perhaps he's gone as far as his physical skills can take him. But he never complained during this summer's controversy and showed leadership. Contrary to what coach Romeo Crennel said Monday, Frye's confidence has to be shot. The question is: Can it be reclaimed? Certainly not by the Browns.
September 10th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Sorry Charlie? The guy had plenty of time to prove himself as starter for the Cleveland Browns. First, he wasn't successful because he was new and inexperienced….then it was because the offensive line was bad…then the receivers took blame for drops…then the coaching staff.
Well, there's nobody else to blame but one person: Charlie Frye.
Sorry, Browns fans…for having to watch Frye under center for the past two years.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
He has no leadership in the huddle. Do you recall there was three voices in the huddle last year? Winslow, Edwards and Frye, a real leader would not have tolerated that insubordination from his team mates. He would have have told them to shut up and listen.
Also, the line looked solid against Pukesburgh with Anderson. Frye was sacked five times because he doesn't see the field or reads and holds on the ball too long.
I like the kid and wish him well. But I don't think he has the leadership or the cerebral qualities to lead us to victory. He is a hard worker but hard work just isn't enough is it?
September 10th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I think the above comments reflect more of a general dismay with the Browns than JUST with Charlie Frye ( whether they admit it or not).
I am with you Marla. Charlie is a class act. If "deserves" and hard work meant everything in this lifetime he would be one of the best in the leagues right now.
September 10th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Question: How many other NFL teams would Frye or Anderson start for right now? Right, zero.
How many other rosters would they make? Right, probably zero.
Soooo, why do the awful, inept, severely-lacking-in-offense Cleveland Browns think either of these guys deserves another snap here?
Do we WANT to win now? Or are we content to lose with the obviously-inferior QBs, simply because some time-honored protocol says you shouldn't play a rookie right away?
If it took Troy Aikman a season of on-field experience in losing to prepare him to lead a dynasty of Super Bowl champs, who are the lowly Cleveland Browns to think we can supercede that process and not have to play Brady Quinn now? And why does our braintrust just naturally assume that Brady will fail or be discouraged? Seriously, would we be worse off with the exciting "future of the team" in the lineup?
September 10th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
But Charlie is so darned nice!
September 10th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
I love some of these guys saying Frye doesn't have leadership in the huddle and how bad he is.
I'm sorry, are any of you in the huddle? Have any of you actually played in an NFL game? Show a little respect for a guy who busts he butt out there.
Maybe he isn't good enough to be a starter in the NFL, but the team has been so bad I doubt anyone would look great there. He made some bad plays, but the coaching staff doesn't help any by yanking a player right away.
I think the most interesting stat would be this. In the last 5 years, Frye had 5 new cordinators. Oh yeah, it's his fault the organization fires people left and right. Nothing to build on with this team….. of course I'm still waiting for a coach where we can build on.
Get off of Fryes rear. Again, he might not be starter material but our coaching level seems to be somewhere around the 4th grade.
September 11th, 2007 at 12:14 am
First, let me say that Charlie is a class kid and certainly deserves credit for his work ethic. Unfortunately, he lacks something that seems to be rampant throughout the Browns roster. That missing piece is football intelligence.
As I look through our roster, I see a lot of physical talent and the proverbial "upside". However, I see very little intelligence and resiliency. The classy Charlie Frye was a perfect example on Sunday. He repeatedly held the ball too long. How many times do you need to get your bell rung before you realize, "Boy, I need to process a couple of reads really quickly and get the ball out of my hand." Never happened. If no one is open, dump it off or throw it out of bounds. He looked like a deer in headlights the entire time. I don't think anyone disagreed with him getting the hook.
In staying with the football IQ of the team, I feel it is necessary to call out Winslow and Edwards for their weak-minded style of football. I'll start with Winslow. Motorcycle tricks aside, Winslow needs to learn to keep his emotions in check. It takes nothing for him to blow up at the opponents or teammates. As we try to add some complexity to our offensive sets to confuse our opponents, it seems like our boy, K2, is the most confused player on the field. How many good plays has he had nullified with penalties in the last two seasons. With Edwards, his mind starts to think about endorsement deals as the ball nears his hands. Often, he's so worried about his pretty boy grill getting messed up that he forgets to catch the ball. The fumble yesterday was classic Edwards. Half-hearted effort and a quick stroll to the bench to pretend like it didn't matter. Edwards is the first player to quit when our game starts going south. He had that, "I can't believe how bad my team is making me look attitude". He needs to realize that he is not immune to the failure of the team. He is paid to make plays, not quit on plays. How many interceptions that were thrown to Edward's defender would have been stopped if he would not have quit on the play. A lot of them.
Next, our coaching staff is obviously not too savvy. The Steelers did nothing defensively that we've not seen for the past five years. Yet, you would have thought that zone blitzing was never seen before in any level of football. Our offense had no quick hit plays or misdirection plays to neutralize the Steelers defense. The only time we did, Cribbs picked up a first down on a reverse. It is amazing how bad our coaching is. Nice tackling by the defense yesterday. Plus, our safties both made several bone headed reads. It seemed like they were out of position on every play. Perhaps, the Steelers coaches studied film on them and took advantage of their aggressive jumps toward short passes and play action. Must be neat to have a coaching staff that game plans.
Finally, I'm very disappointed at the average Browns fan at games. I'm now an Arizona resident. However, I went to a Browns-Steelers game on Christmas Eve two years ago and was embarassed by our fans. It seemed that more "fans" were concerned with getting obnoxiously drunk and picking fights. I miss the old stadium days when the crowd was less corporate and drunk white trash. I remember intelligent fans who partied, but handled their liquor. Their sole reason for being there was to support their team and make the old stadium intimidating to the opponent. The new stadium is so plastic, plain, and completely devoid of any soul. Much like the team on the field. I never thought I'd say this, but the Browns franchise died when the team left after the 1995-1996 season. This new "Browns" is nothing but a phony money making machine. Luckily for Lerner, there is enough white trash looking for a party and a fight to fill it. I'm really disgusted with myself for continuing to root for this pathetic "team".
September 11th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Ah, Andy. Terry Pluto's patented "Drew Gooden Excuse." An assembly line of coaches for such a young talented guy. THAT'S the reason.
No, that ain't it, Andy. Much like Gooden, Frye has no sense. His body is here, his brain is there. Frye could have had 15 offensive coordinators, he could have had one. Wouldn't matter one iota. Attention-deficit disorder doesn't respond to coaching.
September 11th, 2007 at 4:11 am
Tucker the A.D.D. comment is right on. Frye is Gooden's long lost twin.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Charlie just needs a change of scenery with a team which has a legitimate coach. The lack of preperation show over the last couple years is Crenells fault. I just hope he hasn't been ruined!
September 11th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Go Tribe !!!!
September 11th, 2007 at 7:05 am
Andy,
Its widely known that Winslow and Edwards were too vocal in huddles last year. Frye didn't take control. You must not follow the team closely or you would know this one.
I was rooting for him to succeed as much as anyone but the kid just doesn't have it. He can bust his butt til the cows come home but if he doesn't have the ability he won't succeed. His field vision is attrocious. I think its ludricous for some to defend his having all those coordinators. He is a professional, he has to deal with it or he should get out of the league. He got exactly what you or I would get when we don't do our job in the game last Sunday, canned. Pro sports are about performance not who works the hardest or tries the best.
We don't know how every one would look because they held Quinn down, do we? In fact, Quinn played against 3rd and 4th string guys but he had the same to work with against them and shone, Charlie has not shined except one drive against Denver this year. I would have liked to see what he could have done against first stringers at some point but we never got a chance, did we?
Its Frye's dream to be QB of the Browns, correct. Well QBs are under the microscope of the fans. I got a right to criticize his glaring mediocrity and much as you have to defend it. Free country and I have fought to defend it, bro. So shut your piehole about my freedom of speech.
You don't know my physical qualities either or if I could play in the NFL. Send me your address and I 'll show up at your door and we 'll see what you think. Note, Andy, I am man enough to post my full name whereas your not. Go ahead try me ….
September 11th, 2007 at 8:58 am
TIME TO CUT FRYE AND ADERSON THEY BOTH SUCK.
SIGN LEFTWICH BEFORE THE RAVENS DO.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:22 am
He was a great MAC QB and did enough to warrant a 3rd round pick, but the Browns screwed the pooch on this one the moment they decided to let him play as a rookie, then jettisoned Trent Dilfer.
Frye still called Dilfer the next year. Obviously, the guidance of Rip Scherrer wasn't enough.
It is like a business that grooms its managers, only the Browns have no clue how to groom a QB. We can only hope Quinn is as game-ready as his college coach says he is.
Frye on the other hand, misses the little things that make a QB successful, like throwing the ball away, checking down, looking off the safety, recognizing the blitz, throwing to the outside shoulder, etc.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:31 am
"only the Browns have no clue how to groom a QB"
I agree 100%…but I still think Frye is gone after the year, he needs a new enviroment to see if he can make it in this league…he can definately be a backup…BRING IN COWHER, He knows how to develop young QBs
September 11th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Didn't the Steelers give up on a quarterback named Unitas?
or was that Dawson…..then later let go for Milt Plum?
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
There's no supporting stars on the Browns, no one to make
anyone else look good. No creativity on offense but I will
admit at least Winslow has the you-know-whats to go
over the middle and catch the ball. Even Kosar has not
1 but 2 1,000 yard running backs to depend on, Sipe had
the Pruitts, Ryan had Jim Brown (THE greatest running back
of all time) not to mention ugh..Phipps had Leroy Kelly.
Let's see….who did Charlie have? Do I have to mention
receivers too?
September 11th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
It is apparent that the football fans are the dumbest, with the shortest memory spans.
There is not enough room here to defend Charlie, but here are a few items to consider:
It is said that Charlie does not possess enough football intelligence to be successful. My view: Charlie has now learned about 5 different playbooks in 5 years. How easy is that? It usually takes about 2 years in the same system for a QB to have the "light flash on", and for the game to slow down. Charlie has been shortchanged here by a revolving door of "offensive" offensive coordinators.
Remember that Charlie beat Leftwich in college. Of course, this is using the same flawed logic that the other 21 positions don't contribute to a win or loss. Its always only the QB that is to be credited or blamed.
Remember that when Charlie was picked there was a joy that a true hometown (not Columbus) guy was picked. It was a very popular pick that few objected to.
Remember that the coaching staff and others (including the Steelers' Tomlin) and local writers/commentators saw "something special" in Charlie, akin to a Bret Favre presence, and this is what brought Charlie off the bench to start.
Remember the early games in which Charlie was able to do what he does best, which is to throw on the run, and to run for first downs and an occasional TD (I remember 3 in the first few games). This is before he was reined-in by a rigid coaching staff that demanded a pocket passer.
Remember the "strut" that Charlie exuded in his first games before all the sacks and bad receiver routes and dropped balls and one-on-one situations in which Edwards couldn't fight off a smaller defender. In the latter case, Charlie made the right throw, only to have an INT chalked up on his, not Braylon's, record.
Despite this, do you know who has the second highest season completion percentage in Cleveland Browns history? Look it up.
Now you want to jettison Charlie in favor of the golden boy Brady Quinn. Keep in mind two things: first the scouting consensus is that Brady is projected to be — at best — an average starting QB, certainly no fanchise savior; and second, why would you want to make the same mistake with Quinn as has been made with the real hometown boy, Charlie Frye? Being "thrown to the wolves" and to fickle bloodthirsty fans doesn't make for a long and successful career.
Come-on people — demonstate some of that football intelligence that you think Charlie lacks.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Since entering my comment earlier, I see that Charlie is on his way to Seattle.
I guess I am not the only Frye fan — just Paul Holmgren and me.
But what does he know about QBs? Certainly not as much as the wise and learned Browns fans.
Good luck to Charlie. Its a good thing he is able to escape the ineptitude of the Browns deep thinkers, and the ignorance of their fans.
Now only one big problem: How to deal with having no first round pick next year after 4-12 season (generous prediction)?
How can we get better in 2009?
Oh that's right — the trade gives us a number 6 pick.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
At long last, the Chaz Frye Era comes to an ignoble close. The poor kid just didn't have it. He was so close. If not for his spaghetti arm, his borderline mental retardation, his curious decision making, his zest for tossing the ball up for grabs, he certainly could have been the hometown hero the good Reverend Pluto was hoping and hyping for. And is there anything more priceless than seeing that inane full-feature profile the Reverend wrote in Sunday's PD about Frye, only to have his boy essentially cut two days later? I love it. Even in yesterday's paper, Rev. Pluto attributed Frye's performance to the OL…. Well the kid is now gone. Good riddance. Time for Quinn learn. Four more losses and Crennell will be gone. 7 months until we announce Cowher as the new coach and perhaps, finally, we'll be able to start hoping for better things to come.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Holmgren probably doesn't even know this trade was made, you idiot. They just signed Seneca Wallace, Hasselbeck's backup, to a long extension. Frye is just a body out there. Third string QB's in the NFL last about as long as Frye's attention span.
And Quinn is the real deal. Notre Dame is just thriving without him this year. How could a guy who's 6'4", has a rocket arm, learned a pro-style offense from a former NFL coach during three years of college, is mobile and athletic, how could that guy possibly be a franchise QB? And even if he only becomes an "average NFL QB", that will be a significant upgrade over what we've had here ever since the Browns returned.
One more thing. Good thing we spent 100 million bucks on the OL, right? They were fantastic! I'm so glad they turned their backs on Adrian Peterson and took Joe Thomas. Did anyone see Thomas? He's built like a tight end. I saw bigger arms on some of the women chowing full plates of pasta last night at Bravo Cucina. The dude might want to mix in a bench press here and there. Great move! Phil Savage the genius!
September 11th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
My last comment on this subject — unless provoked.
"Paul?" Holmgren
Ignorant Browns fans? I guess are one.
September 11th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Browns Defense gave up 30+ points not Frye
Browns Offensive line gave up how many sacks and rushes
Jamal Lewis and Edwards can't hold on to the ball
The punter can't kick the ball 40 yards
but yet Browns Fans put the blame on Charlie Frye?
Was it Frye's fault he has a poor excuse for a coach that never stood by him?
Was it Frye's fault they lost they pro bowl offensive line men in training camp last season?
Browns fans are hypocrites wanting Quinn to start.
Did Quinn beat a single ranked team his last 2 seasons at Notre Dame?
Browns fans will soon see Quinn get exposed for what he is.
This fan is no longer a Browns fan.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
I'm convinced Brett Farve could not make it in Cleveland. He forces too many balls and has too many int's to be successful and is probably not smart enough to make it in the NFL (this sounds like the argument of the Frye haters).
The GM and Coaches did no favor to Frye or the other QB's to have the so called " QB competition". If your coaches are so lame as to flip a coin to decide a starter in preseason and to name a starter for game one only they are not capable to evaluate talent. They were not firmly behind any of the QB's so they were behind no one. Frye had less than 2 quarters in his start and was replaced. Granted he did hold on to the ball too long but he was trying to make a play. He knew if if he didn't make plays he would be replaced based on the ongoing "competition" . D. Anderson could get the ball away quickly but who knew where it would go (several in the ground and at least one to K2 that was airmailed).
The GM (and his coach) are just trying to save their asses for another year. They can blame the previous administrations for the losses but at some point have to be held accountable from the GM down. It is time to get respectable coaches (ie., pay the bucks to Bill C or Marty) so the Browns become respectable again.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
All the Charlie-bashers should check out the blogs at the Seattle Times and Seattle Post Intelligencer. When I checked earlier today, the 'hawks fans were DELIGHTED to get Frye. In a couple of years, the naysayers here will be grumbling "Why didn't Frye play like that for us?" It's just amazing that there are halfwits out there rearing up on their hindlegs and braying "The Mighty Quinn will save us! Put him in now!" Brady's mom will probably sneak into his apartment one night soon and kneecap him before opposing linebackers do worse.
September 12th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Dear Art,
How are things? I know you’re surprised to hear from me after all that has happened. Was it really 11 years ago since we last talked? Maybe it was the white-hot hatred and resentment, but it seems like only yesterday that you snuck onto that private jet and signed away our beloved Browns. Needless to say, there were hard feelings the last time we talked but I know you appreciate how shocked we were when you moved the Browns out of town. Of course, winning the Super Bowl and all didn’t help. It made us feel like you were rubbing it in our face if you know what I mean but then again, now that I look back, we were probably a little sensitive.
Any way, I just wanted to say hi and see how you’re doing. I guess things haven’t gone so great for you since we last traded E-Mails, what with you losing majority ownership and then being phased out completely. I suppose I could say I told you so, but I don’t think it is productive to go there and quite frankly, I’m not one to talk about success in the NFL if you know what I mean.
OK, I suppose you’ve figured out why I wanted to touch base. Yes, things haven’t gone so well since you slid out of town. Sure, we got to keep the name, the colors and the tradition, but that is about the only things that have gone right. In 8 years we’ve tried head coaches who were high profile assistant coaches, then high profile college coaches, then back to high profile assistants again. At the same time we tried former players as GM, then went to the head coach as the grand poobah, then back to a GM who never played a down but learned at the knee of a supposed guru. Bottom line, nothing has worked. Hell, just listen to Mark Schlereth on ESPN. He flat out said the Browns don’t know what they’re doing! They flipped a coin to decide who the starting QB would be!!
OK, Art…stop laughing. That can only cause hard feelings. But what I wanted to say is that after all that has happened, maybe we owe you an apology. Sure it is easy to sound competent in March when introducing a new assistant coach, or in April when you score an alleged coup in the draft, or in June and July when practice starts in shorts and T-shirts, but it is another thing entirely to actually compete on the field in a regular season game. I am not too proud to admit that you got it. For all your faults when it came to handling coaches (Schottenheimer and Belicheck, ouch!), players, media and negotiations over a new stadium, what you did know how to do was put a competitive team on the field at least half the time. Sadly, that is not currently the case in Cleveland by a long shot. Just look at the game last week against Pittsburgh. On second thought, don’t. Nothing good can come from it.
I guess what I’m trying to say Art, is that we should stay in touch. I know there has been “bad blood” between us and that you think if you return to Cleveland they’ll Saddam you and show you the trap door, but maybe we can just keep the lines of communication open. Crazier things have happened you know. Maybe there will be an opportunity for you to, I don’t know, take a job as an intern with the Browns, work your way up through the organization, maybe even start having input on coaches, players, drafts and stuff like that. I know it’s a long shot but Art, I’m not too proud to say I’m desperate and bottom line, no matter what people want to say about you, unlike the current regime in Berea, at least we had hope when you were in charge. I never thought I would say it, but Art….I miss you.
Sincerely
Cleveland Browns Nation
PS. I know he’s nicked up, but if you can coax Ray into coming along, that would be great!
September 12th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Frye will be the #2 guy in Seattle once he becomes more familiar with their playbook. The Seahawks intend on moving Seneca Wallace to WR.
As far as Holmgren not knowing the trade was made. You might want to think again. If the Seahawks were just looking for a body it would have been Derek Anderson on the plane out there not Charlie. Anderson has a following in the pacific northwest since he played his college ball at Oregon State. A lot of people really like Derek out there since he led the Beavers to a successful season and a bowl win over Notre Dame.
My point here is that Anderson would have put more people in the seats than Charlie if they were just looking for a body. The fact they got Charlie indicates that they see something more in Charlie than in Anderson or in Dorsey who worked out for them last week but was not signed.
September 15th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
You all claim to be football experts but you don't want Quinn thrown in now. What's up? If he's the so called answer to the Browns many problems then why don't you want him in there now? Afraid you'll find out the truth that he's just a mediocre QB who happened to play in a pro style offense against COLLEGE teams. In case you " experts" aren't aware of this, there's a BIG difference between college amatuers and PAID professionals. Notre Dame has the same pro style offense this year but no wins, tell you anything? At least Charlie now has a legitimate chance to succeed with a real head coach capable of making a decision. He's also with an established team not made up of the best free agents no one else wanted. Remember too that Savage had a say in picking QB's in Baltimore and who's their starting QB? Steve McNair. Getting a clue yet? If you think they could afford to give away draft picks to get a mediocre at best QB then you're just as clueless as he is. Three of his picks could only make the practice squad. I myself can't wait for Quinn to play so he can hear the chants for his replacement from all of you self proclaimed fans. And we ALL know it will happen. It's inevitable. It's just the way Browns " FANS" are. Just remember, he won't be playing against players who never had a chance to make a pro roster. 5 yard dump off passes aren't going to win many games.