Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…

Paul Brown, who I thought at the time was the best coach in the history of football, said “You are my left cornerback until some one beats you out.” That was before the first pre-season game my rookie year during training camp in the hallway of a dorm at Hiram, Ohio. Paul moved All Pro Cornerback Warren Lahr to safety and a career later no one ever beat me out. I only gave up one touchdown that season and was one of the strengths of a damn good NFL defense. Some guys are warriors who come ready for battle, like Jim Brown, Don Fleming, Otto Graham and others the Browns have been blessed with over the years. Charlie Frye has that look and the fans sense it, and so do I.

Charlie Frye can’t learn anything significant from sitting behind Trent Dilfer or Doug Johnson. If, No, when given the chance Frye will show them how to win. Having been among and a major part of the Patriots winners Coach Crennel has the knowledge and intuition to recognize a real “player.” The way Crennel protected his injury riddled defensive backfield in the Super Bowl was a minor miracle.

NFL offenses aren’t brain surgery. I don’t care how they line up or go in motion every NFL team runs the same dozen plays. Don’t think that Frye takes the field to learn how to execute brilliant plays dreamed up by brilliant coaches. Frye plays to use whatever he is given for an arsenal to move the ball, to score and win every quarter of every football game he is in. When Frye lines up behind center he is looking at the defense finding a way to beat it and he keeps looking as he sets up in the pocket, if there is one, and he keeps looking as he runs to keep the play alive. Charlie Frye should be the Browns quarterback from the first play of the regular season until he gets beat out. Paul Brown was immersed in winners as Romeo Crennel has been immersed in winners and Paul recognized the real warriors and had guts enough to put them in the battle without hesitation. The few times he was wrong he pulled them and cut them or traded them and moved on. It appears that Coach Crennel has the experience and intelligence he needs to make the decisions it will take to bring the Browns back. Charlie Frye is his best weapon and biggest decision to date.

Trent Dilfer has been a back-up QB for most of his career and can do that specialized job as well as anyone in the NFL, if Frye gets hurt the Browns can still be in “it.” Dilfer should play only until Frye gets well enough and is put back in the “game.” Will the offensive line protect Frye? Better than anyone else I believe, they sense something special as well.

After the first preseason game I wrote in my Blog that Charlie Frye should be the Browns starting quarterback, I haven’t changed my mind. I also said Orlando Ruff is a real football player.

Frye’s confidence is not going to be shaken because one of his line men misses a block, he knows his line is mediocre, he is no fool. He won’t give up if he throws a couple of interceptions or loses a game. Unless I am getting senile Charlie has the look of some one who is after the Holy Grail and no one will stop him. Being “prudent managers” by holding Frye back, to “protect” him will only frustrate him and delay the return of the Browns as perennial contenders. This war is supposed to be fun, exhilarating, get on with it, take your best shot now.

CHARLIE, CHARLIE, CHARLIE