Month: September 2006 (Page 10 of 15)

New season, same old story. The offensive line for the Browns continues to be as ineffective as ever and once again proved Sunday to be an Achilles heel for this team. The Bentley injury was ages ago and can no longer be used as an excuse. The line against the Saints was basically non-existent. They couldn’t provide any running lanes for Droughns and Harrison and had Frye running for his life all day long. Will Smith is a great rusher and ate Kevin Schaffer for lunch early on, but last time I checked the Saints were among the worst teams in the league last season when it comes to run defense. You know you have problems when your quarterback outrushes your two running backs combined. Something has to change because if this is a sign of things to come, this offense is in for a long and troubled season.

A defense that was pretty stout against the run during the preseason wasn’t so against McAllister, Bush, and the Saints. The two-headed monster combined for 151 yards on the ground as the Saints’ offensive line handled the Browns defensive line with ease. The defense really clamped down and showed some toughness in the red zone but were easy to pick on between the 20s.

It is said time and time again that to be victorious a team must win the battle up front, something the Browns failed to do on both sides of the ball. The O-line has some leaks and looked as it always has in the past and the D-line was frequently being beaten off the ball. The opener was a perfect example of what happens when a team loses the line battle. As an offense, if you can’t block or protect your quarterback, it results in a minimal rushing attack and your QB running around like a chicken with his head cut off, like what happened with Frye. As a defense, if you fail to control the line of scrimmage, a team runs down your throat and controls the clock while your defense is sucking wind out on the field. Like it or not, the Browns are in the rugged and brutal AFC North, one of the toughest divisions in the league, and it is imperative that they get tougher up front.

What is it about season openers for the Browns? Since they returned to the NFL in 1999, only once have they won on opening day. The Browns were snakebitten once again as some key penalties and an inept offense played a factor in their 19-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Browns were, well, pitiful in the first half and played as bad of a half as you possibly could. Charlie Frye, who finished 16-of-27 for 1 TD and 2 INT, struggled in the first half, throwing a pick and botching a hand off to Jerome Harrison. The game was frustrating all around as the offensive line failed to open up any holes for Reuben Droughns and allowed five sacks on Frye. The plays they did make in the first half were called back because of penalties.

Trailing 9-0, the offense was finally able to kick it in gear with their first series of the second half. Frye hooked up with Kellen Winslow, Jr. for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Saints later responded with a Drew Brees touchdown pass to make it 16-7. The Browns rallied again with a Frye touchdown run but they wouldn’t get any closer. A last ditch effort was erased as a Braylon Edwards’ dropped pass on the final drive resulted in an interception.

The Cleveland Browns season starts this weekend, and so does the beginning of the Charlie Frye era. The media and players are criticizing Frye before he even takes the field. Boomer Esiason, former Cincinnati Bengals QB, was already quoted saying the Browns will be in the hunt for the number one pick of next years draft. Trent Dilfer commented that Frye inability to read the field and call audibles will limit the success of the Browns offense this season.

My opinion is Frye will struggle as a first year quarterback. I do believe if Romeo Crennel and Maurice Carthon develop a creative game plan and use the offensive weapons, Frye will have time to learn. This team and coaches will be responsible for understanding Frye’s strengths and weaknesses. I do not believe Charlie Frye is a “natural” when it comes to success in the NFL. If he continues to train with Bernie Kosar, and the team gives him time to gain experience, he may surprise all of us and have a successful first season.