Way to go Charlie Frye

I’ve barely seen Charlie Frye play QB for the Browns but 6 for 9 and a TD with no interceptions and no sacks in his first NFL action is damn good and he should be groomed to be the Browns starting quarterback when the season opens. That is if the offensive line is able to protect the passer adequately. If not they should go with the Dilfer, Johnson, Frye depth chart as they have now. Dilfer and Johnson are used to running for their lives and it won't matter a whole lot if they get caught. Young Frye has talent and a body to protect for a bright future.

Unless the Giants were picking on linebacker Orlando Ruff, he appears to want to tackle (5 tackles and a sack) and unless he missed a bunch of tackles that were not reported he earned a starting position.

I understand not wanting to get your players banged up in tackling drills but tackling drills should be re-installed at practice, even if they are very controlled form tackling drills at half speed. This time of season both Paul Brown and Blanton Collier had us warm up before practice with a tip drill and then some half speed form tackling practice so injury risk was minimized while balance, eye focus, and concentration the basic movements and fundamentals of tackling were honed. The great golf teacher Harvey Peneck had Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw practicing their swings in slow motion, a similar drill technique.

Coach Crennel said missed tackles were not the reason the Giants ran so easily on the Browns defense. He said not executing the new 3-4 defense was the reason. The 3-4 needs one extra large outstanding nose tackle, which the Browns don’t have, and two very aggressive defensive ends and four tough tackling, savvey linebackers like the Patriots have. You don’t find these types everywhere and it would be a miracle if there are four such players on the Browns new roster. When you don’t have them you adjust to what talent you have not complain they can’t play your system. Of course that is what training camp and exhibition season is all about.

I am not saying Coach Romeo is using the free pass time given new coaches to install their new systems to justify his players pedestrian performance. He is just getting started. The Browns did beat the Giants 17 to 14 and holding an NFL opponent to 14 points should be good enough to win 80% of the time. And the Browns defense held the Giants at the end of the game when they were trying to get into field goal range to tie it up.

Coach Crennel should get a little extra time because he did come from the World Champion Patriots and if any team has a winning system it is the Patriots. But today the in buzz words are “selling your system” and players “buying into the coaches new system.” If Crennel is installing the Patriots system then get those players who aren’t “buying into” his system out of the way quick.

As the Giants showed runners will run until you tackle them. Part of tackling is the skill of maneuvering, fighting off blockers to get into position to tackle. Players can also “get blocked” just enough to avoid having to tackle certain tough runners or avoid a collision late in a game that is already lost. Groin injuries and pulled hamstring muscles are good devices this time of year to miss a few practices for those who feel they have it made. Such thoughts bring Terrell Owens and a few others to mind.

I’d like to see the Browns try the Patriots all linebacker defense with a lot of blitz and zone blitz packages.

The Browns need a bonus system like $10,000 per tackle or sack and $3,000 per assist with a $10,000 fine for piling on or obvious late hits.

It is encouraging to hear a Browns head coach critique his players with an obvious understanding of defense.
I can hear the fans cheering "GO ROMEO" bringing to life the memories of Otto and Lou after the next victory, after he teaches his defense to tackle.