Berea – Romeo Crennel pulled a double reverse Wednesday in his press
conference as he announced that Charlie Frye will start Sunday’s game at
Cincinnati.
“I decided (Tuesday) night and I told Trent,” Crennel said. “Trent’s a true
professional. He doesn’t like it because he wants to be the starter.”
Crennel voiced his reasoning for making the announcement now.
“I decided to name Frye the starter because it was unfair to both guys to
wait,” he said. “This is a test for Charlie. He knows he’s the starter and we’ll
see how he handles that. Hopefully, he’ll be able to operate.”
Frye took the promotion in stride.
“Coach told me last night,” he said. “I don’t know if it makes the job any
easier. I prepare the same every week.
“I know (Cincinnati) will now prepare for me, but I can control only how I
prepare.”
Crennel was asked if Frye will start for the rest of the season.
“He’s the starter for this game,” he said.
Last week, Crennel used the analogy of feeling more comfortable with your
wife driving or your daughter.
“He didn’t wreck the car last week, so we’ll give him another chance,”
Crennel said.
Crennel said he expects Dilfer to continue to help Frye.
“Trent helps Charlie tremendously,” he said. “He has helped him and will
continue to help him.”
“My role changes,” Dilfer said. “But my commitment to the team doesn’t. I
will prepare like I always do and be ready if called upon.
“Charlie and I are friends,” he said. “We talked last night and I told him he
can count on me to support him. Charlie has progressed and has shown he can turn
lemons into lemonade.
“My job as the backup is to be an ally and support him.”
Crennel said Frye’s biggest problem against the Jaguars was hanging on to the
ball just a little too long.
“His major problem was he held the ball too long and it resulted in a couple
of sacks that hurt our field position,” he said. “He did some good things and
we’ll see how he does this week.”
Frye agreed.
“The mistakes I do make, I want to correct,” he said. “I can’t take too many
sacks. I have to help out the offensive line.
“Turnovers kill you and Cincinnati has been very good at creating them,” he
said. “My job as a quarterback is to manage the game or be like a director of
traffic out there.”
Frye will be going into a hostile environment with the Bengals on a roll.
“So far, he’s been pretty calm under pressure, but it’s still a learning
experience he’s going through,” Crennel said. “He knows he’s the starter and the
team knows he’s the starter the whole week.”
Quick Hits
Kelley to IR: Crennel said that DL Ethan Kelley will undergo a
procedure to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Crennel said he would not play
this week and the team would decide if he would be placed on injured reserve or
left on the roster.
Crennel said Kelley has shown some potential for the future.
“Kelley had begun to show some things,” Crennel said.
Kelley said he wanted to get it repaired now, rather than risk further
injury.
“I didn’t want to risk injuring it further,” he said. “Also, I want to get it
done, so I’m ready for the off-season program and to get ready for next season.”
Roster Move: The Browns added CB Pete Hunter to the active roster to
take Edwards’ roster spot.
“He was with the Jets at the beginning of year,” Crennel said. “We brought
him in earlier for a tryout and he looked pretty decent in the workout. We’ll
see if he can help us out. We’re a little banged up in the secondary.”
Hunter played with the Cowboys for three years and is expected to add help on
the special teams.
Injury Update: Crennel said OL Joe Andruzzi (knee), OL Cosey Coleman (knee),
LB Andra Davis (concussion), QB Trent Dilfer (knee), DL Alvin McKinley (ankle),
S Brodney Pool (ankle), RB Reuben Droughns (knee), CB Michael Lehan (hamstring),
CB Ray Mickens and DL Orpheus Roye (knee).
Crennel said he thinks there’s a chance all of the players will play, with
the exception of Kelley.
Droughns will not practice today, but Crennel expects he will play.
“He’s not practicing today, so he’s questionable, but I expect he’ll play on
Sunday.”
If Droughns can’t go, Lee Suggs or William Green could see their first action
in a while.
“I just want to help out if called upon,” Suggs said.
Suggs has yet to carry the ball this season from the line of scrimmage.
“I want to get out on the field,” he said.
Suggs finished the 2004 season with three 100+ yards rushing. He had his best
game as a pro in 2003 when he rushed for 186 yards, including two touchdowns in
the final game of the 2003 season at Cincinnati.
Cutt Up: Crennel said WR Dennis Northcutt has been moved to the starting wide
receiver slot. He said. Frisman Jackson will be the No. 3 receiver.
“We’ll see what (Joshua) Cribbs and (Brandon) Rideau do in practice this
week.”
Bud Carson Death: Former Browns coach Bud Carson died Wednesday
morning at the age of 74. Carson was the Browns head coach from 1989-90.
“I knew of Bud and he was a really good coach,” Crennel said. “I’m sorry to
hear that because he did a good job with Pittsburgh and wherever he was.”