Turn The Page

Addition By Subtraction

I have had a number of friends e-mail or call me this afternoon wanting to know my thoughts on the Browns trading Charlie Frye.

Most inquired about my degree of happiness.

“You must finally be happy, you got your wish,” one said.

“It’s got to make you feel good now that Frye is gone because it clears the way for your boy, Quinn,” another suggested.

“The Browns finally took your advice about the quarterbacks,” a third mentioned.

On and on it went.

Let’s get one thing straight. I am not happy because Charlie Frye was traded today. It does not give me any joy. It was simply addition by subtraction – nothing more, nothing less.

Why you ask?

The answer is simple – he had no business taking snaps for the Browns this season. Period.

I am sure Charlie Frye is a nice guy. The fact that he has a job as an NFL quarterback tells you that he is a truly wonderful athlete since he is considered one of the top 90 people in the world at what he does.

But that’s the problem. He’s among the 90 best at what he does – he’s not in the top 30. He’s not a starter – not even close.

The Browns basically forfeited their opener by playing someone they knew was not a starting NFL quarterback – something we have been saying for over a year. And ditto for Anderson.

These guys might be among the 90 best at what they do, but neither should be taking snaps for an NFL team on a regular basis if the goal is to win more than you lose.

The last time I checked, that was the objective. “You play to win the game,” remember?

The Browns had the whole off-season to acquire a veteran signal-caller who had a measure of success on his resume and could legitimately keep the seat warm until Quinn was ready.

They did nothing.

Instead they forced us to watch Frye and Anderson stumble through the pre-season. They played so poorly, instead of earning a ticket on the bench or out of town, they earned playing time in the carnage that was the Steelers’ opener.

What’s worse, we had some members of the local media carry the Browns’ water in print and on the air once again, this time claiming the only route to go was with Frye and/or Anderson in the opener.

These people either spent too much time at the Browns’ media buffet table and not enough time watching practice or they need eye laser surgery.

The media can be wrong – it usually is. I have absolutely no faith in 90% of those who watch this team and report on it for a living. Those of you who “get it” know who you are.

But professional talent evaluators shouldn’t be wrong this often – especially when evaluating – here we go again – THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION ON THE FIELD!

You screw this position up, you are really behind the eight-ball.

Charlie Frye is to the Browns what Chad Ogea was to the Indians 10 years ago. The difference, Ogea, a career #5 starter, had two good months. Frye never put two good games together back to back.

There’s a reason for that – he’s a #5 starter. Get it?

How many games are you going to win throwing a #5 starter? Not many, right? Especially in our division, where the other teams have at least a #3 or a #2 (aka a good QB). That’s how you go 1-12 in divisional play the past two years plus.

We said back in 2005, quarterback was this team’s most pressing need. If we can figure it out, why can’t the Browns?

You see, this was never about Brady Quinn. I think the kid will eventually be a very good quarterback in this league. But we have to wait and see. I think he’s “got it.” But I could be wrong.

Frye and Anderson are different stories. We had quantitative evidence they weren’t very good by NFL standards. We’ve watched them play. Unfortunately, ALL the Berea talent evaluators since the Browns’ return in 1999 seem to catch on too late.

No, I’m not happy they (Browns) finally figured it out as far as Frye is concerned. The media and fans get a pass because they don’t know any better and some probably fell in love with the “local boy plays for the home team story.” Had Frye graduated from Mississippi, they might have turned on him sooner.

What’s the Browns excuse?

Frye is, I believe, the only starting quarterback in NFL history to start game #1 of the season then be traded. I could be wrong. And I’m sure someone will point that out to me if he’s not the first.

But you get the point. One day, he’s carrying the fortunes of a $700 million franchise as the starter in the opener, the next he’s gone for a second day draft choice - which is what we said he was worth on these same pages prior to the draft.

It makes you wonder if there are any adults in charge over in Berea because it looks to me like they are flying by the seat of their pants. That’s scary.


No, I’m not happy I’m right. I wanted to be wrong. I wanted Charlie Frye or DA to do some positive things on Sunday leading the Browns to a 1-0 start. That would have made me happy. But deep down, no, I didn’t expect much. I’ve seen this before and I have a good common sense meter.

If it looks, smells and walks like a duck, it ain’t no elephant!

You see, I don’t blame Frye or Anderson. They are who they are – excellent athletes capable of earning a living in professional sports – at least for the time being – but expected, by the Browns’ hierarchy, to do things they can’t do.

I blame the Browns’ organization – specifically Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage for being wrong – AGAIN!’

You screw up the right corner position for a time – it hurts, but it isn’t fatal. You screw up the tight end spot, your team suffers but it’s not life-threatening. You screw up the quarterback position and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to tell if your team is any good because it all starts with the guy pulling the trigger.

If you are asking a #5 starter to give you a quality start every time out, it ain’t going to happen.

How do you climb out of a 5-0 hole after three innings, time and time again?

You have to get that position right. And if you get it wrong, please fix it sooner rather than later.

The trading of Frye is a start – addition by subtraction again.

Now let’s focus on the job at hand.

There are 15 games left to play. Give the rookie the ball and keep it simple stupid (KISS) for a while.

How do you do that, you ask?

Tell him to hand it to #31 a lot and throw it to #80 as much as possible. If #80 is covered, check down #84 or to the running back out of the backfield,and throw it in the stands when not sure. Finally, once in a while, throw #17 a bone, but understand he’ll tease you with brilliance one day and disappoint you the next.

Come on Browns. Figure it out.

This isn’t rocket science. You spent a lot of money in the off-season on the offensive line. They should be able to keep the kid in one piece. You have a quality NFL back, one of the game’s best receivers – notice I said receiver and not tight end – in Winslow.

You have what should be a middle of the pack defense, led by an excellent young player in Wimbley. You defense with Wimbley, Peek and Thompson rushing the quarterback looks intriguing and should get you off the field sooner.

You still need to shore up the run defense. And if it means putting eight in the box more often, or being creative, so be it. Coach ’em up and finds ways to get better.

As we said after game #1 – all is not lost. The waiting game will soon end and the Browns will finally turn the page when they turn it over to #10.

Then, one of three things will happen with Quinn – he’ll struggle a lot and often, he’ll struggle some but get better or he’ll play very well as a rookie.

Two of those three are good things. I like those odds a lot better than with Frye and Anderson.