Monday, October 31, 2005

The Morning After: Houston

Texans 19, Browns 16
Record: 2-5

Now do all you "start Charlie Frye" fanatics believe me?
The Browns' problems don't start with the quarterback. They don't end with the quarterback. In fact, the play of the quarterback is downright insignificant at the moment.
Sure, Trent Dilfer's play hasn't been great of late, but I'd be far more concerned with the dropped passes, the penalties, the complete lack of a pass rush even against the lowly Texans, the sheer ineptitude in the red zone, punter Kyle Richardson and his granite foot and turnovers, of which the Browns had two yesterday.
The Browns even had some semblance of a running game yesterday (Reuben Droughns, 99 yards) and still lost to a previously-winless team.
It's an issue of talent. It's an issue of discipline. It's an issue of injuries. And it's a long way from being cured.
Since it's Halloween, I'm going to give you a scary thought to gnaw on. Right now, in the next two months, we will find out if Romeo Crennel is worthy to be an NFL head coach.
This season is on the verge of falling completely apart with nine games to play. Either Crennel is going to figure out a way to rally his troops and make them believe the season is worth fighting for, or this team is going to completely give up, lose a bunch of blowouts, and we're going to have another Chris Palmer "runaway train" or Terry Robiskie "boys against men" situation on our hands.
For the sake and sanity of Cleveland fans, we had better hope he brandishes his rally monkey, or we are going to be facing Franchise Restart No. 4 by 2008.
And, as far as Frye goes, I might be right about the relevancy of starting him, but the Frye guys will have their way. My not-so-bold prediction is Crennel bows to pressure and starts Frye against the Titans on Sunday.

Up next: Tennessee, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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