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Frye a Superman? No, but maybe a good backup
ERIC D. WILLIAMS; eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
Published: August 14th, 2008 01:00 AM | Updated: August 14th, 2008 09:41 AM
After 19 games as an NFL starter, Charlie Frye still seeks an answer to a familiar question – can he be a quality quarterback in this league?

Frye will get a chance to begin answering that question on Saturday, when he likely will start with the first unit against Chicago in the Seattle Seahawks’ second preseason game, and first home game at Qwest Field.

With starter Matt Hasselbeck sitting out practice all week resting a sore back, Frye worked with the first unit during practice this week. Coach Mike Holmgren already feels comfortable with what second-string quarterback Seneca Wallace can do, so the coaching staff would like to take an extended look at Frye on Saturday. Specifically, Holmgren wants to know if Frye could come in and effectively run the offense should the team decide to use the athletic Wallace to help bolster a young, inexperienced receiving group.

“As far as what Coach wants to do with that, that’s his decision,” Frye said about the possibility of Wallace playing receiver. “I’m just really trying to go out there and get this offense down, and if he feels comfortable with me that’s great.

“But my first couple of years (in the league) I played a lot of football so that’s come in handy and helped me be comfortable out there and confident. Right now I’m still trying to learn this offense and take that next step of making my reads faster and making good decisions.”

Frye’s experience should serve him well. At 26 years old, he has already dealt with some adversity, getting traded from Cleveland to Seattle after the first game of the season last year, and going from a starter to a third-team quarterback. Frye, an Ohio native who grew up rooting for the Browns, handled the change graciously, and has patiently waited for an opportunity to show that he can contribute.

So far, Frye’s play has been uneven. He finished 2-of-3 for 22 yards in mop-up duty in Seattle’s 34-17 win over Minnesota in the first week of the preseason. In the team’s scrimmage on Aug. 2, Frye played well, finishing 10-of-14 for 137 yards, including a 53-yard score on a deep route to speedster Jordan Kent.

But in practice with the first unit this week, Frye missed receivers while working with the first team, and still is working to get his timing down.

At 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, Frye has decent but not overwhelming arm strength. He’s struggled at times going against Seattle’s first-team defense, with tighter coverage and smaller windows to throw into.

However, Frye is easygoing and likeable, which seems to help him better relate and communicate with the rest of the players. First-year quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor also says Frye is smart and has a firm grasp of the team’s offensive system.

“For me, I’ve always just been excited to see him go,” Lazor said. “Because Charlie’s a guy that’s played before, when we practice he has a lot of experience from games in the past that he can draw upon, and that shows. Some young guys, and guys that are backups, don’t have that to work with. But I think it helps him practice because he’s been in some of these situations.”

Added Wallace: “It’s difficult to judge somebody when he’s first coming in and learning a position. But he’s followed through and he’s learned a new offense and those different things. There’s a big improvement from last year to this year.”

One thing Frye doesn’t have any more is a shirt representing his favorite superhero – Superman. Fyre’s custom during games growing up was to wear a T-shirt with the “S” emblem while playing in high school and college. But with the restrictive NFL dress code limiting what players can wear on the field, Frye had to retire the Superman T-shirt.

“That shirt’s probably smelling pretty bad right now,” joked Frye when asked about his discarded good-luck charm.

Frye doesn’t need to impersonate Superman on Saturday. Simply getting the ball to the right player, managing the offense and not turning the ball over will win Holmgren over in his search for more stability at quarterback.

Reporter Frank Hughes contributed to this report.

Eric Williams: 253-597-8437

CAMP KIRKLAND

Honeymoon’s over

With snapper Tyler Schmitt nursing a sore back, the Seahawks signed Tim Lindsey to a contract, releasing Eric Wicks to open up a roster spot. Lindsey was signed by the team in January but released in April, after Schmitt was drafted in the sixth round. Lindsey was actually on his honeymoon in Florida when the Seahawks called. “I feel badly,” special teams coach Bruce DeHaven said. “But not as badly as (Lindsey and his wife) feel.”

Hasselbeck out again

QB Matt Hasselbeck didn’t practice for the third straight day (sore back), and that virtually ensures he won’t play against the Chicago Bears on Saturday night at Qwest Field. Offensive tackle Sean Locklear also missed practice with a sore knee. His status for Saturday is unclear.

Kickers reverse roles

DeHaven said that kickers Olindo Mare and rookie Brandon Coutu will switch roles Saturday, with Mare handling kickoffs and Coutu taking the field-goal attempts. DeHaven said the team takes into account conditions when they are evaluating at the end of camp; Coutu kicked off in a dome against Minnesota last week, while Mare will kick in outdoor conditions at Qwest. Also, punter Ryan Plackemeier, who returned to practice this week after a pectoral injury, is not likely to play Saturday because the team is still worried about him getting hit. Reggie Hodges will do the punting.

Props for the offense

For one of the few times in this training camp, the offense got the better of the defense and, usually subdued, started barking at the more vocal defensive players on Friday. The best play came when the defense showed blitz, quarterback Charlie Frye called an audible for a quick-hitter up the middle by Maurice Morris, and Morris slid untouched through the defense. The play prompted more whooping and hollering by the offense.

Frank Hughes, The News Tribune

the funny thing is that on the Browns page on CNNSI this made the top of the list of relevant news stories. Even CNNSI knows that we cannot just let go of certain things.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/browns/

I wish Charlie well.. Hope he finally excell's....

nordawg

It's hard not to like Frye.. he's a good kid and I wish him well. I wish it would have worked out for him here.. I know that's what he wanted, but hey, sometimes, things go better elsewhere.. I wish him the best.

I have the same sentiments - and that's exactly what they are - sentiments.

I hope he has a 10 or 12 year career - probably as a backup, but even so.......

i'd like to see that game...

I just don't see him being a starter anywhere unless an injury occurs. His arm strength is suspect and he's ridiculously indecisive. He's a tough kid with a lot of heart but that can only take him so far.

I really hope Charlie stays on with them and does well. he is a good guy and being from the area you have to root for him.

One thing though about his superman shirt. The NFL really regulates what you wear UNDER your jersey too? Where nobody can see or even know (or care) what shirt you have under your pads? Thats a little ridiculous IMO.

Thanks for the article Purp...

And to think there were people on here that thought he was the answer to our franchise...

i don't have anything against Frye, but isn't it a bit strange he's still talking about learning the offense?...that's something i would've expected to hear 6-9 months ago...maybe he simply means learn in terms of reps, but that just struck me as a bit slow...

But in practice with the first unit this week, Frye missed receivers while working with the first team, and still is working to get his timing down.

Surprised nobody said it, Frye's not a practice player - he'll do well in the game...lol

JMHO - they are farthest from us so in that regard I wish him Luck.

This article goes along way in saying what Charlie had to work on it's at the back half of the read.



Posted: 08/14/2008
Hasselbeck back to limited practicing, unlikely to play Saturday
Associated Press


KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Matt Hasselbeck is back to practicing. Playing in preseason games can wait.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB
Seattle Seahawks
2007 statistics:
Passing yards: 3,966
Passing TDs: 28
Ints: 12
Passer rating: 91.4
The Seahawks' Pro Bowl quarterback returned to drills on Thursday for the first time since his back stiffened six days ago, but he doesn't expect to play in Saturday's exhibition game against the Chicago Bears.

Hasselbeck, who felt his back tighten after playing the first two series of last week's preseason opener at Minnesota, only did individual drills. Third-string quarterback Charlie Frye again ran the first-team offense during team drills. Frye and No. 2 passer Seneca Wallace figure to get most of the playing time Saturday.

"I've got a feeling, based on reps," Hasselbeck said about not playing against a Bears starting defense that should be better than it was during a sloppy performance last week at Kansas City. "I'd be happy for those guys to get some snaps."

Coach Mike Holmgren downplayed Hasselbeck's injury.

"He's close. It's more of an irritation now than an injury, I would say. So we're just going to play that one a little easy," Holmgren said. "But it's nothing. I would think that he could play in a game if he had to."

Hasselbeck, who set most of Seattle's passing records for a season in 2007 after surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, spent some of the day stepping in place with his knees extra high as he watched Frye run the offense.

"I'm fine. I am fine," he said. "I had a tight back earlier in the week. I probably shouldn't have said anything. The hardest part is just standing around, ironically.

"It felt tight when we landed in Minnesota -- and got worse, not better."


Training days
NFL.com will visit all 32 training camps in 19 days. The schedule:

July 29: Giants, Patriots
July 30: Chargers, Bills
July 31: Cowboys, Bengals
Aug. 4: Browns, Steelers
Aug. 5: Panthers, Broncos
Aug. 6: Saints, Redskins
Aug. 7: Jaguars, Colts
Aug. 8: Ravens, Titans
Aug. 9: Buccaneers, Texans
Aug. 10: Dolphins, Seahawks
Aug. 11: Vikings, Falcons
Aug. 12: Jets, Chiefs
Aug. 13: Cardinals, Raiders
Aug. 14: Lions, Rams
Aug. 15: Packers, Bears
Aug. 16: Eagles, 49ers

» NFL.com's two-a-day tour
» Complete training camp coverage
A key for Frye is proving to Holmgren he can run the offense, after 11 months of studying it without having many opportunities to even practice it. That would free Wallace to play receiver or return kicks this season. Holmgren has been wanting a solid No. 3 passer for years, so he could use the dynamic Wallace elsewhere without the fear of injury.

"Our thing, we've been experimenting and looking, is to feel enough confidence in Charlie's ability to do the job that I can use Seneca in other things," Holmgren said of Frye, the Cleveland Browns' starter until last September.

That experimentation has changed Frye's passing motion. The fourth-year veteran said then-quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn worked on altering his footwork soon after Frye arrived in Seattle last September.

During last season's bye week, Zorn blindfolded Frye. He then had him take deep drops and throw to receiver D.J. Hackett, who is now with Carolina.

"I was just spraying him with passes. And I could hear D.J. grunting," Frye said, laughing.

Zorn had the 6-foot-4 Frye bend his knees more in the pocket, so he could move better and more efficiently transfer his weight on throws. It's what Hasselbeck has done while going from Brett Favre's backup in Green Bay at the beginning of the decade to an elite quarterback.

"Matt's silky smooth," Frye said.

After Zorn left to become coach of the Washington Redskins following last season, Frye was out throwing passes with Hasselbeck and Wallace in the suburban Seattle snow in offseason tests of his new delivery. He said the bent knees have created a move over-the-top throwing motion, and his passes are more accurate.

"All the coaches' feedback has been, 'Man, you've really smoothed that motion out,'" Frye said.

Holmgren is among those impressed. Saturday will go a long way to show if the coach will also be relieved, relieved that he has someone else to trust besides Wallace should Hasselbeck get injured during the regular season.

"That's a hard thing to do," Holmgren said. "Coaching a guy's throwing motion -- even though some guys say they can do it -- it's hard to coach a guy who's been doing it a certain way for so long. But he is trying.

"And I'm very pleased with how he's doing."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Official Site Links Jones adjusting to football in Seattle Journeyman Green happy with performance Hasselbeck, Morris both sharp for Seahawks More >>
Headlines Hasselbeck limited in practice, unlikely to play Saturday Trufant's terrific life Seahawks lose Engram for 6-8 weeks Training days: Seahawks optimistic after offseason overhaul Hasselbeck rolls in preseason debut More Headlines >>

Frye is not looking good up there in Seattle.

4th quarter against the Bears and his stat line is like this:

12/23 123yards, 0TD's, 3INT's, and sacked 3 times.

He is looking awful! That INT from his own endzone was horrible.

And that last drive was weak too.

Hasselbeck is really good. one of the more underrated QBs in the league.

growing up in the NW i have seen a lot of seattle, and he is so much better than anyone they have had as long as ive watched them. (Zorn was a little before my time) even better than my boy john friez. heh go idaho.

hopefully frye can develop and be a good player for them, you almost cant help but root for seattle after their SB fleecing. who knows, maybe with better mechanics will come better decisions.

also, looks like holmgren is taking a page out of our book freeing up his super athletic QB for returns.

much as i'd like to see a good guy like frye succeed, its great seeing those int's on somebody else's stat line.

The guy can spent the rest of his life telling people he was a NFL QB.

That is good for 10 years of free beers at his local hangout. Maybe longer if he quits talking like a rapper wanna-be.

Whatever it is, he sounds like a moron.

I always stood up for him, but that always really bothered me as well.

If you're a quarterback and you want to be the face of the team, you have to be presentable and articulate.

I'd just like to point out before some of his defenders come in, I never used how he talked as a point for how I didn't think he was a good QB.

P.S. Him and Worthlessberger talk the same way...

Frye started for an injured Hasselbeck.

19-29 for 219 yds. and no picks. He wasn't sacked either but left the game in the middle of the 4th after being hit late.

He has moved up in the depth chart because the Seahawks want to use Wallace in other roles.

Frye has settled into his role and done well as he learns the system.

He's no where as bad as most think he is. Its a shame that he's the last QB we drafted that will be retarded by inept OL play...well not a shame, good that we finally solved that - a shame cause he couldn't develop correctly here. Good luck, not when we play the Seahawks which I hope will be in the SB someday soon.

JMHO

Quote:

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I know, its hilarious. Why's everybody talking about Charlie Frye when they could be in the Kosar/Sipe thread???

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If there is a dead horse, We'll beat it......over and over again....I'm still in shock over the Couch / Holcomb thread earlier this year when Kelly retired.

I was hoping Charlie would learn to talk like a punkass college know-it-all. But it is good to see Charlie do well after getting screwed in Cleveland. And anyway we have Brady Quinn and he's from Notre Dame......And good looking.

If you watched the game last night,, Charlie was on fire.. he did a great job...

Quote:

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That first game showed it was painfully obvious that Frye didn't fit here.

That's all I'm going to say on this topic.

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Which first game,, the one here last year or his first game with Seattle this preseason..

As for it being all you are going to say on the topic,, I thank you for that

Hey,, I thought that other word would be your last on the topic.....

Has anybody ever heard of a team trading their starting QB halfway through the 2nd quarter of the 1st game? Who is running the Browns? Paris & Britney? Granted Frye was probably done as a Brown. How could anybody not be? It just seems like they could find a better way to do it without embarrasing Frye and themselves. He was gunshy here. How could he NOT be? It looks like in Seattle his Oline is giving him some time and like anyQB that is all important. I hope Charlie gets a chance to start somewhere again...And Seattle seems to really like him.

I think it was reported before that talks were in the works before the season started.

Yeah, IIRC the Browns put word out around the league that one of the two QB's was going to be traded. Frye was the only one to get a flyer. After the disaster of a game against the steelers. They pushed the deal through.