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Crennel talks like he'll stick with Frye

Despite fan frenzy for Anderson, coach remains loyal to Charlie

By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter

BEREA - Public sentiment is off the charts. Fans and media believe backup quarterback Derek Anderson has done enough to earn more playing time in the Browns' two remaining games.

Although a local outcry got Cleveland an expansion franchise in 1999 and saved general manager Phil Savage's job last January, coach Romeo Crennel seems to be trying to put a lid on Anderson's coronation. Crennel remains loyal to injured starter Charlie Frye.

Frye, a University of Akron product, sat out for the second week in a row with a bone bruise in his right wrist. Anderson showed flashes of brilliance Sunday in a 27-17 loss at Baltimore with a string of 13 consecutive completions snapped in the third quarter.

Facing the No. 1 defense in the league, Anderson completed 23-of-32 passes for 223 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions, five sacks and an 85.8 quarterback rating. Crennel blamed one of the interceptions on receiver Braylon Edwards, who ``should have been inside a little more.''

Anderson's quarterback rating in 2 ? games is 85.0 with five touchdowns and four interceptions. In 11 ? games, Frye has a rating of 72.0, with 10 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Frye is 6-11 as a starter; Anderson, 0-2.

On Sunday, Edwards compared Anderson to Dallas Cowboys sensation Tony Romo. On Monday, Crennel seemed overly critical of Anderson' second pro start.

Asked whether he has seen enough to think Anderson can be a starter next season, Crennel said, ``In the second half of the Kansas City game, you would say yes. As we continue to play, some things are beginning to happen that, hey, we don't know. So we'll have to see.''

While some think if you have two quarterbacks you have none, Crennel believes the Browns have one.

``Sure,'' he said.

One you can win with?

``When Charlie was starting, I told you I thought we could win with Charlie, and Charlie is still on this team,'' Crennel said.

He didn't rule out starting Anderson at home Sunday against Tampa Bay, then going back to Frye for the Dec. 31 finale at Houston. Crennel said, however, that Frye still has not been able to throw without discomfort.

``We'll see where Frye is and what he can do and make a determination from there,'' Crennel said. ``There may be some merit to doing it that way. It may be a moot point. Frye hasn't been healthy enough the last couple weeks.''

Crennel's critique of Anderson seemed baffling, especially when he referred to the immobile Anderson trying to run. One of his biggest mistakes was getting sacked for an 8-yard loss by an unblocked Ray Lewis in the second quarter, forcing the Browns into a 47-yard field goal attempt that Phil Dawson missed.

``He played a decent game,'' Crennel said of Anderson, a sixth-round pick by Baltimore in 2005. ``In his effort to try to make some plays, I think there were some things he could have done better. He has to realize he's not going to be able to outrun many players coming out of the pocket. He's going to have to do better with that, and it will prevent some negative plays as well.''

Crennel refuses to think about whether there will be an open competition in training camp.

``I don't know how many times I have to say to you I've got to be worried about next week,'' he said. ``I really can't worry about next year.''

Injury update

Linebacker Andra Davis is still sensitive to light and experiencing periodic headaches after suffering a concussion, his first since college, but he hopes to play against Tampa Bay. He remembered little about Sunday's game, including stepping on Ravens quarterback Steve McNair's throwing hand in the first quarter.

``In a game you don't know who you're stepping on in the trenches,'' Davis said.

He took himself out when he thought he was hurting the team. ``I was slower than normal; my balance wasn't there,'' he said.

Crennel said running back Jason Wright strained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and was getting an MRI.

``He took a pretty severe hit, but when I saw him walk off the plane, I was more encouraged,'' Crennel said.

Also having an MRI Monday was right tackle Kelly Butler (foot).

Receiver Joe Jurevicius (concussion) will be limited early in the week, but Crennel hopes he can play against the Buccaneers.

Brownies . . .

Rookie linebacker Leon Williams, a fourth-round pick making his first start, was credited with 10 tackles (seven solo) on the coaches' stat sheet.... Injured center LeCharles Bentley, an Ohio State product, is holding a contest to send a fan and guest to the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz., to see Ohio State play Florida. Log onto www.clevelandbrowns.com for details. Entrants must write in 250 words or less why they deserve the trip. The deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 26.

While I think it's too early to annoint Anderson as the second coming, there have been some things that seem to be upgrades over Frye. At least enough to warrant some meaningful playing time the rest of the season. Things like arm strength and quickness of reads are just two.

That being said, ideally, I'd like to see each start a game and then battle it out in camp.

I wonder if Crenell's criticisms of Anderson are because he knows he might have to make a decision about this now that Anderson has played well. He seemed more evasive about criticisms of Frye thoughout the year.

I personally don't care who's the man behind center as long as the Browns win. (Except for Doug Pederson, Spergeon Wynn, Todd Philcox and Ty Detmer to name a few.)

If the MO Carthon situation taught us anything it's that RAC is extrememly loyal to his guys. You can tell he is trying to deflect some of the excitement for DA. He is basically going to bat for Frye, more than he is knocking DA. I like the fact that RAC is not willing to jump ship on a guy after 2 1/2 games, but I hope he is willing to give DA a serious look. He's at least earned the right to compete in camp next year. JMO.

Was Crennel asleep during the whole Bledsoe injury / Brady transition? He owes his three SB rings to the change.


Great news!

so Anderson is going to take the Browns to the superbowl??

GREAT NEWS!

RAC has to worry about his team falling apart in the next couple of weeks. If he just dumps his starting quarterback that will send a message. It would be something to the effect of "Now Hear This, all rats should start scurrying because this boat's going down! We're doomed!" He's the captain of a sinking ship. If he doesn't stay cool his players will likely start to get a little out of hand. It's too late to fix anything this year. He's just got to keep the players focused and in the next two games.

Why would he want to get a quarterback controversy started in such a hopeless situation? That would just increase the noise going on around the team and not do a darn thing to fix what is broke right now. DA is a good player to keep on the team, Savage was smart to grab him, but he's not going to fix this mess just by taking the starting spot with two games left in the season.

J.

Thanks for the article, Knox.

Both Frye and Anderson are equally frustrating for me to watch. Neither has a complete game. Both are young and need time to mold their playing styles to the NFL game. Some on here make there minds up a lot faster than I can, I guess. Derek looks pretty to watch, but I have yet to see a "body of work" that is overly encouraging.

I'd like to see them each play a half in these last two games. One starts against Tampa and the other starts against Houston. I think it would be good for everyone involved.

Everyone is all over this "read speed" thing. While I agree that Derek seems to have a faster release, the coaching staff had just started pushing a 3.2 second clock with the QBs before the KC game. We saw vastly improved results from Charlie in KC in this respect, but I guess because it was just half a game its being ignored? Charlie plays his best half of football in a Browns uniform, but so few have an interest in seeing if he's turned a corner or if it was just an anomoly. Aren't you atleast intrigued?

I also can't believe the mulligans Derek is getting. Derek fumbles the ball - its ignored (Charlie has small hands). Derek throws INTs and its ignored (Frye has accuracy problems). Derek can't find an open receiver (how many times) (Charlie reads too slow and holds onto the ball too long).

Derek's bad decisions are because he "hasn't had the reps"? Anderson was known for bad decisions in college - came out on the 6th round in large because of it. I agree he's at a disadvantage because of a lack of playing time - but to assume these problems will magically disappear is a bit optimistic. Do we just want someone to be "the guy" so badly that we ignore Derek's problems because he is our only other option?

There are pros and cons to both of these guys. Both have things to fix in the off-season. There will be a battle in the off-season between these two (regardless of if its made public or not) and whoever is able to better minimize their weaknesses and maximize their strengths within our offensive system will win. Isn't that they way it should be?

Not to throw the topic off, but does anyone else have concerns about having a #1 and a #2 with totally different styles of play (regardless of which one is which)?

Also, assuming Davidson continues as our OC, any opinions on which playing style fits that system better?

I'll be honest with you .. I just know if RAC. has what it takes to be a " Head Coach " ???? I really like the guy , but that and a 50 cents will get you a cup of Coffee ..

we're you asleep? i thought brady came in and won a bunch of games....then when bledsloe was better bill decided to stay with brady...

how this is comparable is beyond me...he owes his rings to the patriots winning....and there d wasen't too shabby either...

and don't get me wrong, i liked the way anderson looked in preseason, but at the end of the day its the results that count

i would like nothing more than to know we have a good qb on the team be it frye or anderson, or dorsey...i just want the hole filled.....

but the bottom line is until we get a running game both qb's are gonna look iffy....

People take an entire player's career into account when grading them, and in this case Frye has 11 games and Anderson 2.

It's great the offense is running on a quick clock, but why the heck wasn't it implemented earlier? Our oline doesn't have the tools to hold blocks game in game out, so making quick reads should help that out.

LMAO... this is almost as funny as comparing Troy Smith to LeBron...

Ok, let's lay out the facts... Bledsoe was in his 8th year... he had had some success but in his previous 4 years, his numbers had gotten progressively worse and the team had gone from 10-6 to 9-7 to 8-8 to 5-11... The book was written on Drew Bledsoe.... the Patriots had looked awful in their first 2 games before the injury... Brady came in and won 3 of his first 4 games... 5 of his first 7... What has Derek Anderson won? How are his numbers that much more impressive than Fryes?

So in conclusion, Frye still has upside that Bledsoe didn't have... and not every qb that comes in to replace a struggling starter is Tom Freakin' Brady.... Anderson has done enough to warrant a look and a competition for the spot... to compare him to Tom Brady is insane at this point.

Post deleted and poster suspended.

Nice non sequitur.


It's called being open to the idea that players on the bench can be better than the starters. Both Anderson and Brady have gotten opportunities because of injury. Of course, instead of being open to the idea that Anderson brings certain physical and mental advantages to the Browns QB position, Crennel chooses to look like a tool in every press conference. His schtick is tired. It's like he's read the Parcells/Belichick Cliffs' Notes and mangled it.

Why is he a stupid idiot? Because he didn't annoint Anderson or because he didn't say they both suck and we're drafting Troy Smith?

Very astute Danglet and I think Rac looks at the same things..
[color:"red"] Both Frye and Anderson are equally frustrating for me to watch. Neither has a complete game [/color]

Can we combine the two? <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
[color:"red"] I also can't believe the mulligans Derek is getting. Derek fumbles the ball - its ignored (Charlie has small hands). Derek throws INTs and its ignored (Frye has accuracy problems). Derek can't find an open receiver (how many times) (Charlie reads too slow and holds onto the ball too long).
[/color]
Not ignored by some people..we see those things..I like both but guess what?
Rac doesn't see a QB controversie..not in his mind..he said he felt they could win with Frye and he's still on the team...WHATS that tell everyone?

LOL, only those that don't understand the game can make such absurd statements. People have had it with such ignorance cluttering the board.

I can live with that.

I think that is all RAC is doing... he's taking the line that Frye was the starter... Anderson has looked decent but shown some flaws.... Deep down I'm sure RAC knows that barring some freak think like Savage handing him a polished NFL QB in the offseason some how, that he's going to have a decision to make in the fall.... He knows that. So he's not going to build either up or tear either down to the point that he has too much explaining to do when he makes his pick....... I mean what happens if he gives the impression that DA has won the job and Frye shows up to camp and that light bulb has come on? Or it could go the other way..... he's going to keep his compliments and his criticisms of both fairly mild.......

[color:"white"]First, the author's article reminds me of muck-raking. "Fan frenzy" for Anderson? <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> "Sentiments are off the charts" <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

Slanted articles turn me off.

Setting this pile of crap aside, I'm torn like most fans are probably torn right now. The Anderson I'm seeing now is the same one I saw in college. Makes some NFL throws and goes on hot streaks, but then makes horrible decisions, whether that's in the pocket, heaving a ball up for graps, or tossing into double coverage despite staring right at it. The thing is that he can make throws that Frye never will be able to make, and despite all the arguements over the last couple of years that says Frye has a "strong" or "strong enough" arm, we now have a very easy time seeing just how weak his arm actually is.

The problem here is that it's very much like the Droughns debates, where he's knocked for not having speed or burst, thus creating an environment where people look at lesser backs and forget all the things that make him good. In that same mold we have Frye versus Anderson. Of course the real problem is that Frye hasn't proven himself like Droughns did, and has only shown brief stretches of solid play before being KO'd by a pathetic line.

So we have a young QB who's limited as a thrower but has been touted as having "IT" versus a QB who has the prototypical size and arm but has always lacked the required snap between the ears. Sorry author, but when we have 2 QB's, we have none. At least Crennel is, supposedly, sticking by Frye, as it's just too soon to go to another guy. What everyone is glossing over, and I mean everyone, is that Anderson now has 4 INT's and 2 fumbles in 10 quarters of work. When one considers that, we're talking about a talented kid that doesn't take care of the ball. The plain and simple fact is that people are falling in love with everything that Frye isn't because of his limitations, thus ignoring the things that Anderson is doing wrong. Yet in this article the author supposedly can't understand why Crennel is taking the stance he is. It just goes to show, yet again, the true colors of the media in Cleveland. It's either ignorance of the situation and the game, or pure slanted inuendo.....or both.

The bottom line is that, generally speaking, we're seeing what we want to see in Anderson while not taking into consideration all the other factors. We'll excuse the line's play for his fumbles and rushed throws, but we'll blame Frye for not playing well. We'll excuse Anderson's mistakes because of inexperience, but not give Frye the same benefit of the doubt. We'll focus on Anderson's good throws while ignoring the things that made him a late round pick..............All because we're reaching for something......anything.......in the hopes that it'll start making the offense go.

How unfortunate.

I still don't believe in Frye. I don't believe in Anderson. But what I DO believe in is that you stick with a young guy and give him the time to learn and develop before tossing him to the bench. As much as I disliked all the things I saw in Couch, I gave him three years before I personally threw him on the scrap heap. Frye deserves a little more time, and if Crennel and the team is smart, they'll support him 100% in order to keep this from developing into a full-blown QB controversy. The media is allready trying to do that, and if Crennel is the coach to take this team forward, he'll stand up and do the right thing. If he doesn't, he isn't the coach to lead this team. He's allready lost my faith by not showing enough discipline nor a strong enough hand. He stuck with that loser Mo far too long, and now isn't quashing the kids that are bumping their gums and causing embarassment on the sidelines. If he doesn't support one QB or the other.......fully........to me, it's the 3rd strike that says he should be fired, and I don't care how hard the players play for him.

Simply put, don't fall in love with the physical tools that Anderson brings to the table. It's what's between the ears that's always held him back. Don't ignore the fact that in the first game where he's faced a team that had the ability to get to the QB (Steelers couldn't because of the weather) he threw 2 INT's and had 2 fumbles. If you're going to nail Frye to the cross for that, then you need to hold Anderson to the same standard. [/color]

[color:"white"]Ok, so I actually just replied to the article without reading the posts. Looks like Dang allready covered most of it *L* <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> [/color]

thanks for the input dang. i'm sure glad you decided to come back to the board.

[color:"white"] Both Frye and Anderson are equally frustrating for me to watch. Neither has a complete game. Both are young and need time to mold their playing styles to the NFL game. [/color]

but that's the fun part to watch for me. watching a young player grow in this league. seeing what he needs to improve on and watching him overcome those weaknesses. it's actually the only entertainment i'm getting at the end of this once again lousy season. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


[color:"white"] Derek looks pretty to watch, but I have yet to see a "body of work" that is overly encouraging.

[/color]

i scratched my head on that one and i prolly don't understand the intent, because i see a stronger foundation to build on in DA than i do in CF. i see pure pocket passer with the skills to eat a D in DA. i see pure mobility in CF, but that is it.


[color:"white"]I'd like to see them each play a half in these last two games. One starts against Tampa and the other starts against Houston. I think it would be good for everyone involved.
[/color]

so would i, but that would mean that the competition has begun and i don't think that rac wants that.


[color:"white"] so few have an interest in seeing if he's turned a corner or if it was just an anomoly. Aren't you atleast intrigued?
[/color]

yes i am. i would truly like to see if CF can maintain that form. imo it will be harder for him to maintain than DA, simply because of his mobility. happy feet becomes a habit that is hard to break especially if you have never had to rely on the noodle in the past.
that sure would be a lethal combination though, happy feet AND a noodle. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

i can't comment much on the "local" comparisons of the two. this will go on until the end of time around here. i can comment on my takes tough.
everybody fumbles, and as many sacks as both of these guys take i'm suprised that they haven't fumbled more.

[color:"white"] Derek throws INTs and its ignored (Frye has accuracy problems). [/color]

i don't ignore int. there's only a few reasons one gets picked. the throw is late, your rushing the throw to make something happen, someone is not on the same page.
everyone throws late at some point in any given game, but when you start seeing it over and over in game after game, you start to wonder why. this is no different really than rushing throws to make something happen. when you start seeing forced balls time after time pick after pick, you start wondering what's going on. i'm not too concerned at this point on either because of the experience level for both. now if we see a trait at the end of next season then we have a problem.

[color:"white"] There will be a battle in the off-season between these two (regardless of if its made public or not) and whoever is able to better minimize their weaknesses and maximize their strengths within our offensive system will win. Isn't that they way it should be?
[/color]

amen brother. that's all i've wanted all along. i can take losing ALOT better if i know we put the best man on the field.


[color:"white"] Not to throw the topic off, but does anyone else have concerns about having a #1 and a #2 with totally different styles of play (regardless of which one is which)?
[/color]

if we were talking about vick and shaub i would say yes, but charlie is no vick. as long as both are thinking "pass 1st" i have no problem with it.


[color:"white"]Also, assuming Davidson continues as our OC, any opinions on which playing style fits that system better?

[/color]

to be honest i really don't know what system we do have. it's hard to tell without a running game, but i do believe either one can excel at the short passing game. we have winslow, heiden and JJ that just eat up the middle of the field, so either QB could handle this type of game.

Frye should start when/if he gets healthy. That would give RAC a chance to see if he's improving or if the game against KC was a fluke. Then, open it up to DA, Frye, and whoever else in camp. IMO

[color:"white"]

The best thrower will always play better in any system, regardless of scrambling ability. To me, accuracy is accuracy, and reading defense is reading defenses. The X-factor here is which guy can make the necessary strides to overcome their deficiencies: Anderson between the ears and Frye with his arm. If Frye can learn to be an adequate passer, his legs make him the obvious choice. If he can't, he's a backup and we have to hope that the light comes on for Anderson.

But I think you allready answered that question Danglet somewhere in your own post <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The guy that overcomes his issues gets the job, assuming either guy can, which is seriously in question. [/color]

If RAC starts a healthy CF next Sunday because of "loyalty"... OK, I can live with that... might be too early to hand the offence to Anderson, and Charlie was looking good in his last start.
But I see more in DA.... stronger arm, quicker reads...
doesn't panic. If Charlie starts vs. TB and can't move the offence... I think we know how the Cleveland faithful will react.
To avoid that, RAC would be better off starting Anderson next week and letting CF rest some more and start at Houston.

That way, it would avoid the possibility of Frye getting booed off the home field.
As far as his picks, I read Anderson saying that in college, his teams trailed a lot,which led to a lot of INTs.
And besides, when you have a cannon like he does, you're going to throw picks when you're young because you can think you can make ANY throw. He has to get wiser and realize he can't make every throw.

Nice post Dagnlet,

My two cents. Going into last weeks game I really felt the we had something in DA, now I'm not so sure which one is better (an I don't want to hear the "Baltimore's D is #1" argument, since the flaws I saw out of DA had nothing to do with what Balt was doing).

Positives for DA:
1. His arm. The pass to Winslow on the opening drive and the TD to BE, Charlie can't make those throws.

2. I still think he reads the field better then CF and has a much quicker release, but... (see below).

Negatives:
1. His accuracy sucks. Plain and simple. As I said, I think he reads the field better, but when you can't put the ball where it needs to go, then so what. And even worse, because of this, he lays out his receivers. Ask JJ or KW how accurate he is.

2. Touch. This one killed me last week while watching the game. JJ streaking down the sideline five yards behind his guy in the first half. DA throws a frozen rope three yards short and the CB breaks up the pass. CF most likely completes this pass for a TD. This happened at least three times Sunday.

I don't think CF's mobility would have helped him two much in this game against the sacks. Even if the first guy missed, there were two waiting.

The main problem I see is that with either, there are WAY to many missed opportunities to make big plays.

Toad, you aren't in Cleveland ...... so you probably don't get to see much of the local newscasts and Browns based programming, and their "flavor".

Almost every commentator that I've heard over the past week or so thinks that Anderson should start out the year. Channel 19 has a Browns "after game" show that features Hanford Dixon, (a VERY vocal proponent for Anderson) Reggie Langhorn, and Bob Golic. All feel that Anderson should start. Local columnists have written that Anderson has shown enough to start the remaining 2 games. Radio sports programs are also damn near unanimous in their desire to see more of Anderson.

There is a groundswell of local media support for Anderson as the starter. There are also a lot of fans who want to see more, and who feel that he has some abilities that Frye lacks.

Just because you don't like the article doesn't mean that what it says isn't the case.

Toad, gotta disagree. The biggest concern with both of them is mental. Reading defenses, picking up blitzes, adjusting to the changing circumstances on the field... and protecting the football... which ever one shows the most improvement mentally between now and next fall will be our starter next year.... so if I was Frye, I would SERIOUSLY utilize that friendship with Kosar as much as I could... in fact I'd take all of the game film I could get and take up residence in Bernies spare room... <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I'd agree there. Frye hasn't shown the mental side of the game at all. He still runs into pressure, and has zero pocket awareness. He still has lousy mechanics ... both in the pocket, and especially on the run. He still locks his eyes on one receiver, and often ignores an entire side of the field. Defenses still do exactly the same things to Frye as they always have, because a blitz is to Frye what cover 2 was to Tim Couch.

[color:"white"]Hehehe.......That same "groundswell" (interesting word) was 100% behind Frye just a few weeks ago <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'd also point out that the Cleveland media happens to be one of the dumbest in all the land. Having said that, if all the local media feel that way, then I'm off base. I'm going by the articles that have been posted here as well as the fan reactions on this board. What I've seen here isn't an overwhelming clatter for Anderson. Granted, I've seen that out of you and some others, but that's not the majority. To me it's split right down the middle.

My problem is that people have fallen in love with his tools while ignoring his flaws, all because he has some things that Frye lacks. [/color]

Can Frye be the QB to lead this team? yep but he has to decide if he wants to be a passer or not. His throws are simply all over the place and his 10tds 16ints could easily be 26ints. Charlie needs time to develop. Even if Anderson isnt the guy for next year, I think a year or two with Charlie as the backup just working on pure fundamentals could turn things around for him.

Frye throws a pretty good deep ball. His area of struggle is the short to mid game. He hasnt shown he can make the tight throw when needed.

Can Anderson be the quarterback to lead this team? yep. He is in that top tier of elite NFL arms and prototypical size. I really believe this kid man just be that special.

Great game against KC, in his first action as an NFL quarterback. Great game against the Steelers when he had no support. He had about as good of a game as anyone can hope for against the Ravens at Baltimore.

he must develop some touch on his throws. He is useless in the deep game until he does so. He has really impressed me with the short to mid throws. timing with the receivers will come.

Well when we have to choose between guys the caliber of Frye and Anderson you cant fault people for choosing sides. I think they both have flaws and people react to what their likes and dislikes are.

If you hate the way charlie runs around like a chicken with his head cutoff and throws floaters than you want anderson.

If you dont like the way Anderson has shown Frye up and made the coaching staff look stupid for sticking with Frye so long you like Frye, because "damnit if we change QB's it will mean we haveno idea what we are doing".

And if you dont like Andersons inconsistency and interceptions, and you like Frye even though he does the same things, you are just realizing that you have been duped again into blindly believing in second rate QB's. Nothings changed....nothings gonna.

Niether guy will take this team to the playoffs so it is just a matter of who people want to see in the meantime. Both guys have some pros and cons. both guys have weaknesses that are very apparent when forced play behind the general level of offensive line play we have in front of them.

What I can't believe Toad is that anybody is "in love" with either of them and willing to take such an adament stand... I like both of them and hope they both succeed and improve... Their strengths and weaknesses differ but they both have strengths and they both have weaknesses... some people prefer Andersons strengths to Fryes and see his weaknesses as "not as glaring"... thats fine. Neither of them is going to help get us to 12-4 without overcoming their weaknesses... so both of them have some work to do.

Winner winner chicken dinner.....


now we can at least understand why some folks like Troy Smith.

I am not stupid enough to suggest that he is the answer to the teams ills as we need LINEMAN!!.

But it is rather absurd to listen to folks try to say that he is going to bust becuase he is short and the like.

Troy Smith could walk into Berea tommorrow and be the best QB on the team...but the team would still suck.

Because Troy Smith doesn't have any weaknesses? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[color:"white"]Hehehe.........That's where I'm at as well. Sadly, I don't believe in either guy right now. The optimist in me says that Frye can be another Jeff Garcia or Rich Gannon, and that Anderson can become another Tom Brady, but the realist in me sees a soft-tossin' small handed scrambler who can't even be as good as Garcia is now, and that Anderson is just another Dan McGuire who won't ever get it between the ears, thus causing bad throws when good QB's make good ones.

So.......I'm back to sticking with the guy that has made most of the last 20 starts, so that we know definitively whether or not he's the guy. Switching to Anderson now doesn't seem like the wise move to me, assuming Frye is healthy. [/color]

Players have to know that if they play better than the guy ahead of them when given the chance, that they have a chance to earn that starting job. Conversely, guys have to know that they have to do their job or someone else may replace them.

If any player, on any struggling unit on this struggling team is more concerned about a position other than his own, he should be cut immediately. There is no player on this team playing so well that a superior player couldn't take his job away, and only a few players playing up to NFL standards.

http://www.cleveland.com/heytony/audio/index.ssf?/sports/audio/grossi.html

Grossi says here that the folks in Baltimore are much more afraid of Frye than Anderson

[color:"orange"]The key to this situation is expectations...

EVERYONE was scared to death at the prospect of DA or KD getting into the game if Frye got injured. Until 3 weeks ago I'd be willing to bet 99% of fans didnt think either Dorsey or Anderson belonged in the NFL and had nightmares about either stepping on the field.

When Anderson gets in the game and shows he can play a little bit, people see what they werent expecting to see...and it turns into a great peformance based on expectation.

You're right in the fact that Frye gets more criticism. If Frye had put up similar stats against Baltimore as Anderson did last week, Frye would have been criticized for fumbles, innaccurate passes and INTs.

If Frye can recover from the disatserous year he's had so far, he's a keeper. The kid has had bad luck at every turn of the season.[/color]

I didnt say that.

The body of work that supports reasons why Troy would be better far surpasses the book on either DA or Frye.

Again, not saying i dont like DA or Frye, and not saying TS is the answer to all of our prayers but when a 6th round pick, stolen from somebodys practice squad starts making people and the coaches question whether or not he should be staring over a 3rd pick who was handed a starting job than the question should change from..

"which one of these guys should be the starter"

To

"who should we be looking at to come in and play QB as we improve this team over the off-season"

Or maybe the question should be "Why don't these fans understand the game and have enough patience to see what these guys can do?" <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />