So what went wrong with Charlie Frye?

In case you've not heard, Mr. Frye has been shipped off to Seattle for a sixth round draft pick. Such is the life of an NFL quarterback.

Frye just wasn't in the right situation. Touted as a quarterback with the ability to grow into a starter when he came out of the University of Akron, Frye got drafted into the wrong situation. The Browns didn't need a hometown kid who wanted to play for his hometown team. I realize that many Browns fans fell victim to delusions of grandeur based on the circumstances and nostagia. After all, didn't Bernie almost take us to the Promised Land. The needed a QB who could lead and asking him to do so wasn't fair to him or this team.

Working behind a patchwork offensive line, he looked horrible last year. Fans thought it would all go away with the additions of Eric Steinbach and first round draft pick, Joe Thomas. Yes, the horrible play continued in last year's 34-7 embarrassment against the Steelers. Frye didn't look comfortable. He wasn't inaccurate. He held the ball for far too long and for much of his limited playing time he looked like a bug fleeing from the light. Most of the five sacks were his fault for some of those very reasons. More importantly, however, you could see that he'd lost the confidence of his teammates.

There's nothing more damning than that. Some of the faces in the Browns locker room were longer than the Mississippi River after the Steelers game. Is there any more blame to be parsed here? Probably.

I once wrote that Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel probably bought themselves another two years with this past spring's draft. I don't think that any longer. As much as the current regime loves to put the blame on past administrations, the fact remains that just a few players remain from the Butch Davis era. Savage and Crennel will live or die with this roster, but they have to know that after this weekend, the tick tocks on that ticking clock are very loud.

With the signing of Dorsey, it looks as if Brady Quinn will get his shot sooner rather than later. Given the memories associated with Tim Couch, the Browns had better hope they are right on this one.

Joe Thomas is suffering some growing pains - two holding penalties in the quarter.

 It's getting more and more apparent that Charlie Frye won't be giving up his job without a fight.  He's gotten off some nice passes and heck, Joshua Cribbs actually held on to a third down pass for a first down with 44 seconds to go in the quarter.

The fact that Frye has shaken off the gaffe that cost the Browns a touchdown shows some growth on his part.  He's driving the offense with confidence.  It would help if the receivers actually held on to th eball.

You actually hear something down here that those who attend Browns games haven't heard in a while - excitement.  Although that was marred by complete and utter lack of clock management.  Chiefs 7, Browns 6.  Half-time.

OK, I'm sitting here trying to decide which game attracts the best looking women.  Yes, I know that's sexist but I have to have something to occupy my mind between plays.

So far, I believe that the NBA wins that one.  Tehy come out smokin' hot at the Quicken Loans Arena.  But on a hot, slightly sticky night at Cleveland Browns Stadium, it's apparent that they are getting a run for their money.

OK, back to the action as Frye completes a 23-yard pass over the middle.  The ball could have used some more zip, but it got there.  There was a time when the Browns wouldn't allow him to throw over the middle, so I guess that's progress.  It's the two-minute warning.

It's scrub time on defense as the coaches get a look at what they've got on the other side of the ball.

Talk about needing a scorecard to know the players.  Third and 18.  Let's make it interesting and give up 17 yards.  Geesh. 

Frye is back in and Jerome Harrison, "Mr. August" as one media member dubbed him, is getting a workout at running back.

There's the intangible that Frye gives the offense - the ability to get out of trouble and make a play.  He completes a 26-yard pass for a first down.  If there is any advantage he has on Anderson it's that one.  He felt a little heat.  Moved slightly outside and nailed tight end Ryan Krause for a first down.

Football 101 folks - a backward pass is a fumble.  You GO CHASE THAT ONE.  You knock the guy with the ball on his arse.  Oy vey!  Chiefs up 7-6.

Wow.  Decent run defense.  That's scary.  Wow.

Eric Wright makes a nice wrap up tackle to prevent a first down.  I like when a cornerback doesn't go all Deion Sanders and doesn't refuse to make open field tackles.  Antwan Peek, the Browns off-season acquistion from the Houston Texans is looking impressive - knowing that you likely have a starting job will do that for you.  He moves up on the depth chart courtesy of Willie McGinest's back surgery.

End of the first quarter - Browns lead 3-0.

Wow…was that a first down? From a pass?  To Jamal Lewis?  Wow.

 Frye is back in at QB and it's apparent that Romeo Crennel is less worried about continuity and flow than he is at getting a look at these guys at work.

Hold the phone, folks.  Braylon Edwards threw a block on Joshua Cribss' reverse.   And Jamal Lewis may indeed have soemthing left in the tank. We shall see.  The offense actually has some momentum on  this drive.

Third and 1 and they do the unexpected - run the ball.  Vickers couldn't get a yard and theye settle, cuz you know, pre-season games count and well, it's more likely that Phil Dawson needs some practice.  Browns up 3-0.

Well Frye got his one series and didn't produce anything except a near interception.  Derek Anderson is in the game right now.  I wonder if he's bummed about that coin flip.

Ahem…Anderson audibles to a run.  How terribly original. Jason Wright gets buried in the backfield.  PUNT.  PUNT.  PUNT.   Browns fans had best hope that's not a common refrain in the coming year.

Will the Browns make Coyle look like Peyton Manning, stay tuned.  Sean Jones misses a tackle and then is bailed out by Leigh Bodden.  Takeaways may have to be a trademark of this defense if the run defensve doesn't improve.

Brodie Freakin' Coyle from Alabama is starting.  He wasn't htat great in college, I doubt he'll be much better as a pro.

It's good to see Eric Wright get off to a good start playing solid defense and a decent pass rush on a subsequent play, but if teams keep running for 17 yards on a third and 20 it ain' t gonna much matter.  A year later, that pass defense still resembles a sieve. 

I love seeing the parking lot at Muny Lot filled with smoking grills, pumping out the aroma of burgers, beer and brats.  Hell, on today - when football truly starts - I can even tolerate the occasional drunk with delusions of grandeur.

I"m blogging from the Browns v. the Chiefs.  Just something for Browns fans to keep their eyes on - Eric Wright makes the start at cornerback.  The Browns brain trust said that he had had first round talent - apparently they were right.

Frye apparently won the now infamous coin toss to see who starts.  Wonder if he knows ESPN and others have been raggin' on that for a day no.    To say he looks rusty is an understatement.  On the first drive he looks as if he's playing like someone in danger of losing his job.

As I wrote in a previous post, I spent two days this past weekend at Browns training camp.  Here are a few things that I noticed:

- IF Jamal Lewis plays the regular season like he's running at camp, he could be very productive in during the season provided the offensive line gels.  What I saw out of Lewis is a guy hitting holes quickly, without hesitation and the ability to hit the corner with some speed as well.  Then again, it is just training camp.

- Kellen Winslow Jr. looks to be preparing for a HUGE year.  He's hungry yet humble, catching everything in his general direction and doing so, not recklessly, but with full gusto.

- If Braylon Edwards (again see previous post) can learn from Winslow's example, he could have a huge year as well.  Notice that last season K2 (as he's called on the team) kept his mouth shut and let his actions on the field speak for him.  Heed that lesson Braylon.

- The quarterback derby is going to be close.  Even if Brady Quinn gets into camp soon.  Don't think that Quinn is going to start the season against Pittsburgh Sept. 9 if he signs.  The likelihood of that is zero - unless of course he's the second coming of Joe Montana.  Throwing him in against the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to start the season is akin to sending an army to war not properly equipped.  Please, watch the Iraq War barbs.  Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye look to be locked in a serious battle for Top Gun.