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Crennel names ex-Zip to lead vs. Steelers, but won't say if Anderson or Quinn No. 2
By Marla Ridenour Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007
BEREA: Romeo Crennel put one controversy to rest at least for a week when he named Charlie Frye the starter for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But Crennel opened another Pandora's box when he declined to say who's No. 2, leaving Derek Anderson and rookie Brady Quinn in the dark.
'''Everybody else is a backup,'' Crennel said. ''I don't have to name anybody second or third until 11/2 hours before the game. Whoever is second or third doesn't make any difference. If Charlie goes down and the next guy goes in, he is the starter.''
Already irritated by the attention the quarterback battle has received, Crennel seemed to give it more life by saying Frye is the starter ''for this game.'' He could have put next week's questions to rest with something along the lines of ''until I say otherwise.''
''You evaluate it on a week-to-week basis every week,'' he said. ''I told them, 'Every position on this team, it's not in stone. The roles change on a weekly basis, on a daily basis.' Sometimes it's game plans, sometimes because of injury, and the biggest part is that individual person, the effort he puts forth and how he gets his job done.''
After leading only one touchdown drive in preseason to Quinn's four and Anderson's none, Frye had to be relieved. The three-year veteran out of the University of Akron may be
keeping the seat warm for Quinn, the 22nd overall pick from Notre Dame, but hearing Crennel say he gives the team the best chance to win could help his confidence.
''Obviously I'm excited,'' Frye said. ''I've been working hard. It's been a competition, and I think all of us have benefitted from it. It's going to help the team.''
Frye has started 18 NFL games, 13 of them in 2006, when he missed three games with a injured right wrist. Anderson has made three starts.
Asked how he has improved since last year, Frye said: ''I think I'm a lot more poised, my whole game management. I think it comes with experience and being pushed by the other guys.''
Crennel said Frye is ''mentally stronger.''
Right tackle Kevin Shaffer said Frye handled the competition well. ''He's been coming out every day trying his best, and it shows,'' Shaffer said. ''You see a guy trying to work hard and to do everything he can to win. That's why he was named the starter.''
On Saturday, Browns General Manager Phil Savage said he wanted to see what Frye could do ''with a full deck.''
Savage mentioned the 2006 revolving door at center and injuries to Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards. He pointed out that Frye is playing under his fifth offensive coordinator in five years (two at Akron, and Maurice Carthon, Jeff Davidson and now Rob Chudzinski with the Browns).
''I think there's still potential because Charlie has the mobility,'' Savage said. ''He's got enough arm strength and accuracy. He's got enough moxie to make things happen, so let's see how things turn out.''
Savage said the decision on when Quinn will take over could be weeks away.
''As I've said a couple of times, one track included Charlie and Derek, and the other track included the development of Brady Quinn,'' Savage said. ''Those two tracks haven't merged yet, and when will that happen is it two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, or will it be the end of the year? I can't answer that.''
Savage added that he and Crennel feel better having either Frye or Anderson face top defenses such as those of Pittsburgh (ninth in 2006), Oakland (third) and New England (six) in the first five weeks.
As for who's No. 2, Anderson said he will prepare as if he's the backup, which he does every week. ''That's kind of my deal,'' he said.
He admitted he had been a little nervous about Saturday's final cuts, when the Browns kept him over Ken Dorsey, who had been Quinn's mentor.
Quinn sounded ready to handle the scout team, if that's what he's asked to do.
But for someone who started 46 games at Notre Dame, beginning with the final nine games of his freshman year, Sunday will feel strange.
''It was tough in the preseason not even playing the first game,'' Quinn said. ''After that, this kind of stuff will be easier. You've got to be in the mind-set of helping your team out, doing whatever you can to prepare Charlie, the defense and also yourself.
''Both D.A. and myself need to be ready for a what-if situation if Charlie's not there, step right in and take the job.''
Injury update
Middle linebacker Andre Davis (ankle) was dressed for full practice. Shaffer (concussion) and linebacker Willie McGinest (back) worked inside. Defensive end Orpheus Roye (knee surgery on Aug. 2) and left guard Eric Steinbach (sprained knee on Aug. 9) were slated to practice, at least on a limited basis.
''It's the opening game of the season, there's a lot at stake, a division game, so I'm going to do my best to get on the field,'' said Roye, a former Steeler. Playing against Pittsburgh ''has pretty much been my best games. It gives you that extra
BEREA: Romeo Crennel put one controversy to rest at least for a week when he named Charlie Frye the starter for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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