It was a great football weekend in Northeastern Ohio as Ohio State snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Ann Arbor, and the Browns shut out the Miami Dolphins, 22-0. The Buckeyes dominated the game despite the close 25-21 score, and the Browns game marked the regular season debut of rookie quarterback Charlie Frye and another great performance by Reuben Droughns.
At the Big House on Saturday, the Buckeyes jumped on the Wolverines early, going up 9-0 after the first two drives. A fumble by reserve running back Maurice Wells allowed Michigan to get back in the game, and then Coach Jim Tressel went conservative allowing the Maize and Blue to take the lead in the third quarter. The OSU offense refused to throw the ball downfield allowed the Wolverines to play tight coverage and limit yards after the catch by Buckeye receivers.
Ted Ginn Jr. had problems fielding punts all day, fumbling two, losing one. The Buckeye defense rarely blitzed Chad Henne after employing that strategy most of the season against all opponents. Perhaps the loss of star linebacker Bobby Carpenter played a part in this strategy, but it was still curious considering Michigan could not run the football at all.
After Ohio State fell behind, Troy Smith started throwing the deep middle routes that ABC commentator Gary Danielson said were open all along. The first drive culminated in a TD pass to Santonio Holmes, who received an awful "celebration foul" for diving into the end zone. The second long pass was to Anthony Gonzalez on the drive in which the Bucks scored the game winning touchdown. Tressel redeemed himself by opening up the play calling, and he picked up his fourth win in five tries against Lloyd Carr. Ohio State likely will go to a BCS Bowl game for the third time in Tressel’s tenure.
Surprisingly, the Browns had an easy go of it against Miami Dolphins, getting their first shutout since 2001. Droughns rushed for 166 yards in 3o carries as he continues to seek out his second straight 1000 yard season, and the first by a Cleveland Brown in 20 years. Braylon Edwards put his money were his mouth is by hauling in six balls for 90 yards, and the defense caused two turnovers.
The real news came after the game when QB Trent Dilfer showed his displeasure with Charlie Frye being inserted for a series in each half. Dilfer said he disagreed with the decision, but will go along with it. He even awarded Frye the game ball for his performance. The quarterback’s reaction was stunning since he has been so team oriented during his time here. My guess is that the emotions of the game were still in play and Dilfer will change his tune and be understanding of the move.
The Browns need to see what Frye can do before the end of the season. Not in practice or on films from the exhibition season, but in real NFL action. Dilfer has been the consumate professional, but he should realize he is not the future of this franchise. Frye might be, and that’s what Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel need to find out.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 