Random Thoughts Aug12'07

Chiefs vs. Browns
Folks that read this column know I don't believe Charlie Frye has a high football IQ. So I'll just say it was not a good decision to run into several Chief defenders near the goal line when you have no time outs remaining with mere seconds left in the half.

I can hear the post-game press conference now.

Reporter: "What was the thinking process on that play, Charlie?"

Frye: "I just wasn't thinking. I made a mistake. I have to learn to throw the ball away in that situation."

Reporter: "Your thoughts on that play, coach?"

Romeo C.: "Charlie has to learn to throw that ball away. But overall, I thought he did some good things He moved the team."

Now a reality check.

How long has Frye been playing QB? And he hasn't learned that yet?

The way I see it, Frye was -7 on the day. That's right, -7.

He led them to a first half field goal (+3). Nice work there. Then, he gave up seven when he botched a simple dump pass to a back that led to a backward lateral returned for a score
(-4). And of course, he cost his team another three with his blunder to end the half (-7).

As for Anderson.

Who cares?

These are just wasted pre-season snaps.

Quinn will eventually be running the show. At some point, RC should name Quinn the starter and get on with it. As young and raw as he is right now, he has the up side the franchise has been looking for.

Let him learn on the job. It might be ugly at times, but there's nowhere to go but up. There's also the chance he may catch on quickly.

Crennel can't do it just yet because the rookie showed up late. So he'll bust his chops for a while.

I get it.

But if Quinn doesn't look totally overmatched in pre-season, RC should turn him loose soon.

Listen up class: Contrary to popular belief, the quarterback position should be the easiest position to evaluate. I said should be.

How can that be you ask?

Because he touches the ball on every play. That's 60-70 snaps a game. If you have any common sense and football knowledge, you shouldn't need three years to evaluate if a guy can play.

That's one reason why I am always surprised when NFL teams continue to screw up the evaluation process with the most important position on the field - QB.

There are numerous other factors at work - we know this, including the other 10 players on the field with the QB, the opponent, the game plan, etc...

Still, some guys have it and some guys don't. You see it on a handful of plays during a game when a guy makes you go "wow." Or, when a guy makes you throw a pillow at the screen.

The ones that are consistent, make you go "wow" once in a while and allow you to keep the pillows on the sofa most of the time are the keepers.

One more comment on Charlie Frye. He should not have to look to the sidelines as to when a timeout is needed in the final minute of a half or a game. He did that several times last year and did it again against the Chiefs in the final minute of the first half in pre-season game #1.

He should have a much better feel for the game then that. He's not a rookie any more.

Indians vs. Yankees
I had a bad feeling before this series started.

I don't believe the Tribe has done well against quality opponents this summer. Plus, the Yankees can flat out hit, the Indians are in the middle of the pack in the league in pitching, and the Tribe's offense has been anemic of late. That bodes poorly for those fans that bought tickets expecting to be on their feet roaring for the Tribe this weekend.

Finally, strangely, the team has done a complete 180 this season offensively. At one point in the season, the Tribe's offense had seen more pitches that any team in the league. That meant the hitters were doing an excellent job making the opposing pitchers work. At that time, they were leading the league in scoring.

In the last several weeks, they have reversed that trend. There is now lack of patience at the plate and a lack of contact - they have several players among the league-leaguers in striking out. Those are very bad trends.

I can't explain it.

On another Tribe topic, my son observed early this season that Casey Blake seemed to have trouble hitting in the clutch. I ignored him. He mentioned it again the other night. Then I saw a stat that showed Blake hitting .160 with runners in scoring position and .120 with two outs and runners in scoring position in 2007.

I wish we were given a player's stats with runners in scoring position more often. It should come up on the television screen every time a player comes up in that situation. That's when the pressure is on.

You should listen to your kids. They know some stuff.

Ferry APB
I have finally figured out what happened to Cavs' GM Danny Ferry. He's in the witness protection program.

Why you ask?

Sources tell me Wayne Embry wants a piece of him for making him (Embry) look bad after the big guy traded for Ferry's rights after the Duke star bolted overseas coming out of college.

Embry was wrong and eventually taken to task by fans and media when Ferry never turned into a poor man's Larry Bird.

In all seriousness, we hope Ferry has Embry's cell number. Embry, who is in the NBA Hall of Fame for his post playing days contribution to the sport, could teach Ferry a few things about being an effective GM.

The Cavaliers had their best days under Embry in the late 80s and early 90s. He was not afraid to pull the trigger on major deals (i.e. Larry Nance), knowing full well they don't always work out (i.e. Ron Harper). Embry understood you couldn't be afraid to fail.