Yesterday’s Browns-Lions game marked the return of Cleveland’s starting quarterback of 2004, Jeff Garcia. Garcia was lustily booed at the start of the game, although I’m not sure why. What was his crime? He got injured, but I’m don’t think that was it. He didn’t leave for free agency, the Browns didn’t want him back anyway. Why the negative reaction.
The problem with Jeff Garcia last year was he was the proverbial square peg in a round hole. Butch Davis wanted someone who would be patient with the running game, and work the play action pass. (In reality, Davis wanted someone not named Tim Couch.) Garcia is a west coast offense quarterback. He is a guy who likes to run around and make something out of nothing. He did that during the second half of yesterday’s game many times, as well as in the 37-34 overtime loss to the Eagles at Browns Stadium last season.
Jeff Garcia didn’t do anything to irritate the fans. If you want to boo someone, boo the decision to bring him here. He was a poor fit from the beginning.
Speaking of quarterbacks, here’s hoping Romeo Crennel doesn’t play Charlie Frye this week against Houston. The coach has to look at the big picture. Let’s say Frye does well against the winless Texans on Sunday. Crennel is then forced to continue playing the rookie for the rest of the season. The Akron alum will have to see the Steelers defense twice, the Ravens again, as well as Jacksonville and Cincinnati. Would Frye be helped or harmed by this exposure if he is not ready. The last thing Phil Savage and Crennel needs is another Tim Couch situation.
This team is not going to make the playoffs. The front office is not going to say this publicly, but they are making decisions geared toward 2006 and 2007. That’s why Frye shouldn’t play yet. He has to play before the season is over so Savage can evaluate him in case a Matt Leinart or Vince Young is there when the NFL Draft comes along. But, next week is not the right time for Frye.
Here’s another thing for the fans. Quit bringing up Kelly Holcomb! He is nothing but an average QB at best. Wait a few weeks, and see what Buffalo is doing then. Trent Dilfer is better suited to be a mentor to Frye than Holcomb. Dilfer understands why he is here, Holcomb wants to start and has no interest in being a teacher.
It’s tough to watch, but patience is the best thing for the Cleveland Browns. And that patience means Trent Dilfer should keep his job.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 