Red Right 88

Cleveland sports fan and sports writer

Name:
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

quit my job decided to drive west

Saturday, August 25, 2007

That was encouraging

Is this real or just the set-up to our next disappointment.

Brady Quinn completed seven of his first eight passes. And that one incompletion may have been the most impressive pass of the night. It was a perfect strike to Joe Jurevicius for what looked to be a 39-yard touchdown pass. It was ruled incomplete but it looked like it should have been six.

Again, it was the third quarter of a preseason game but I am not sure what else anyone could ask from this kid. Holdout schmholdout. He has earned consideration to start sooner rather than later.

It looks like Charlie Frye played well enough to justify naming him the temporary starter and to send Derek Anderson to the unemployment line. But Brady passed his second test and earned the right to include in the discussion. I understand Romeo may be hesitant to start a rookie with his job on the line and no one wants a repeat of Couch's first year. But honestly this is a totally different situation. The Browns have a better line, real receivers and a NFL proven starting running back. Frye's strength is his scrambling ability. Brady appears to be the better game manager. Being a game manager is what allowed Pittspuke to win with a rookie quarterback in 2004 and allowed second year pro Tom Brady to go from holding a clip board to being Super Bowl MVP in one year.

I am not arguing the Browns will reach those heights, far from it. But it is hard not to be optimistic about what this offense can do behind Quinn. I know the holdout is what will justify the Browns starting Frye and no wants to see Brady get smashed week one. But if he gives the team the best chance to win then pull the trigger and start the kid.

Frye might be listed number on the depth chart come Monday but it is readily apparent he is just a seat warmer.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Glimmer of hope

After that two out ninth inning scare, the lead is two and half for the Tribe.

I have decided to bite my tongue on the Tribe. If my stomach can take it, we have no choice but to ride it out.

Unlike most drunks, I was not optimistic ending in camp for the Browns and the Qb mess has hopefully lowered expectations for this team. There is a real possibilty that Dallas will get to use that Brady pick in the top three. If this team ends up a bottom feeder, it would mean another new coach, a big role at running back and new first round pick.

But maybe it won't be that bad. Maybe the Browns can salvage some wins this season allowing either Romeo to return or more likely, he gets fired halfway through and Grantham wins a few down the stretch allowing the team to actually maintain an both the offensive and defensive scheme for the first in years.

No matter what, I offer this glimmer of hope.

If Brady starts the final half of the season and earns the trust of the offense. We could have a real chance to jump forward in 08 because instead of first round pick floundering at running back, imagine if you will Michael Turner at running back.

I don't the Browns salary cap situation. But I do know he will be an unrestricted free agent. I know he would be a great fit for the Browns offense and our offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski knows he well from his time in San Diego.

Let me be the first to jump that band wagon. He would be much better than first round pick. He could be the back to make this offense a top notch one.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

"That's all we got, one goddamn hit?"

It is days like this when I can't read the newspaper, I can't watch Sportscenter or even search the Internet.

Each time this season I think I can't ever be more down about a team, the Indians find another low AND YET technially, they are still in first place.

I don't understand this team. And it is all the veteran hitters. Unfanthomable.

And still since the Tigers won't go on 10-game winning streak. We have to keep watching and enduring this misery that is the Indians offense.

I guess that philosphy of winning with pitching was a bit exagerated. How many times can a team lose in one season when their best two pitchers allow two runs or less over and over.

I gotta throw up again.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Release somebody

I stand by my belief that Charlie Frye should be released or traded, but if he isn't than Derek Anderson should be released tomorrow. Yesterday was more proof that neither is a true NFL starting quarterback. Both are forcing the Browns hand to start Brady Quinn sooner rather than later.

Seriously how bad is it when Derek Anderson fumbles on his first snap and throws an intercetion on the goal line and yet gained ground on Frye for the starting job.

Now I am not all gaa-gaa over Brady's heroics in the fourth quarter against the fourth string. But it is better that he had such success than to fail miserably. Confidence is a powerful tool. But just like last week, I believe that Brady needs to be taking half of the first string snaps in practice. And for that to happen either Frye or Anderson has to go. Dorsey is the better third string quarterback. He knows he is a backup and therefore willing to go the extra mile to help the kid. I believe Romeo is mishandling this QB race and it is going to cost him his job this season. I understand Romeo has been strangled by Brady's holdout and the fact neither Frye or Anderson has taken the job. But now that is is obvious that neither is anything more than a seat holder, he has to pick one now so Brady's development is not stunted.