XCLUSIVE: Goodbye Charlie?, OBR Article

[bomber]

http://browns.scout.com/2/624051.html

Publicly, the Browns have shown nothing but support for homegrown quarterback Charlie Frye, although even that once rock-solid support has wobbled in recent months.

Privately, though, it’s turning into an entirely different ballgame.

At least, that’s the talk floating around various league circles.

Multiple sources from around the league—from agents to scouts to members of various front offices—have told The OBR that the Browns, in not so many words, have been quietly shopping Frye throughout this offseason. While one front office source wouldn’t go so far as to say that Frye was being actively shopped, he did say that at the very least, “it’s been made clear that Frye is available and can be had.”

When reached for comment on the talk of Frye being available, Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage had the following to say: “That story has not come across my desk.”

That being said, one story making the rounds in the last week, according to one source, was that the Browns were involved in the Dre’ Bly trade talks and that Frye was part of a package that had been discussed with the Lions. That claim, however, could not be verified through any other sources and should be taken with a grain of salt the size of Ted Washington.

But, here’s what we know: the talk is out there, and it’s very much real to the person/persons doing the talking.

“Listen, this is not a big story in any way, shape or form. It’s Charlie Frye for crying out loud,” one AFC scout said. “But the talk is out there, that he’s available and the Browns would be willing to move him. They aren’t sold on him as the future (at QB), so if moving him can help the team they’ll do it.”

Adding more fuel to the Frye fire is the more-than-tepid interest in drafting Brady Quinn—owner Randy Lerner was in attendance at Quinn’s Pro Day workout yesterday—and the somewhat-bizarre and ongoing interest in Marques Tuiasosopo. Savage attempted to acquire Tuiasosopo last offseason, and the Raiders QB is in Berea today visiting with the club.

“(The Browns) want to improve their play at that position, and if dealing (Frye) helps achieve that goal, so be it,” said another source.

“There are very few sacred cows in this league anymore. Very few players are above any kind of trade talk or rumors or whatever. It happens all the time, especially during the offseason, and it just so happens that this time one of the names being talked about is Frye.”

In many ways, it makes sense to at least have conversations about Frye's future should the team elect to pick either QB Brady Quinn or Jamarcus Russell in this year's draft. Moving Frye would avoid what would certainly be an uncomfortable tenure for the local product as a top draft choice waits in the wings. The less-hyped Derek Anderson could serve as an effective placeholder until Russell or Quinn are ready.

Assessing the potential market for Frye covers the team's bases for different eventualities in this year's draft, even if drafting a quarterback isn't foremost in the team's plans.
Of course, this time of the year, there is all manner of talk and innuendo floating around the league; some of the talk eventually comes to fruition, while most of it turns out to be agenda-laden drivel with little or no substance.

In this case, however, we have heard roughly the same talk coming from far too many people—people we have grown to trust as solid sources of information—for it to be simply ignored and brushed away. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” the old adage goes.

And, in this case, we are smelling something that has nothing to do with

 

[chiefwahoo]

“Listen, this is not a big story in any way, shape or form. It’s Charlie Frye for crying out loud,” one AFC scout said.

Exactly. If someone really wants him why wouldn't we do it???

 

[Mac]

PULL THE TRIGGER PHIL!

Maybe with Bly wanting out of Denver, we still got a chance to get him.

 

[cdt]

I think it's awesome in the NFL how trades go down whether a player likes it or not..

In the NBA a guy says I don't wanna go here and he doesnt..in the NFL your just 1/11 on the field as opposed to 1/5. I'd love to get Bly..

Charlie Chaun Pick?

I can't stand Frye...yuck

 

[Mac]

Charlie Frye pick for what? Bly? lol..come on man.

Briggs just demanded a trade...that's a guy id like to get here too.

 

[cdt]

I didn't say straight up..

I forgot also that he's no longer a Lion..the Broncos are set at QB and LB..

 

[bomber]

Trade frye for what? a 6th, 7th round pick.........either one fine by me...We could keep Frye though just as our punching bag for another year...Keep the position warm for our franchise QB.

 

[cdt]

Trade frye for what? a 6th, 7th round pick.........either one fine by me...We could keep Frye though just as our punching bag for another year...Keep the position warm for our franchise QB.

No thanks on the keeping him...

Frye hangs our guys out to dry I'm not risking a big injury to Braylon or K2 because Frye can't get the ball around with any velocity..let DA sling em around..

 

[crazedcav333]

If Frye is gone I want Anderson to QB this year. This is all dependant on if we draft a QB, but if Frye is gone and a QB is not drafted I want Anderson to start. I'm tired of these one year stints of QB's that do nothing then are gone, leaving us with once again a new QB and wasted year. I'd love to see either CF or AD grow in this system that's in place and just see what happens. These guys aren't much worse than the QB FA market right now anyway.

I'd love JaMarcus. He looks like a franchise QB with some great traits and room to build on and I'd be all for trading Frye and picking him up (which is a real option since Johnson looks amazing right now). He needs to fix his workethic first.

Quinn at the #3 with either AP, Johnson, or JaMarcus available? No, No, No. Brady is not worth passing up on any of those guys at that spot, so if that's the case go as low as you can and pick up some picks in the 2nd round.

 

[DawgOnKing]

That is classic! Kudos to whomever wrote that article. I guess it is a slow time for NFL beat writers. Why not come up with an article about trading Charlie Frye, the Browns superbowl winnin....um probow....um starting quarterb....um player.

Every Browns fan on the planet knows that the jury is still out on Charlie Frye. I just said in 15 words what he expressed in 500. That's all the article means and the only valid part of the entire damn thing. What an idiot.

 

[PIP]

Some fans kill me...Just the other day people were talking about Brady slipping, and nobody would really seriously consider him at #3 with all these other potential stars still on the board....

He puts on a cut off shirt and some shorts, throws the ball around about 60 times or so, somebody writes a couple solid articles on him, and now some Browns fans are all the rage about him once again...

 

[cdt]

Some fans kill me...Just the other day people were talking about Brady slipping, and nobody would really seriously consider him at #3 with all these other potential stars still on the board....

He puts on a cut off shirt and some shorts, throws the ball around about 60 times or so, somebody writes a couple solid articles on him, and now some Browns fans are all the rage about him once again...

I wouldn't take Brady at #3...

The only player I'd take at #3 is Calvin Johnson if everyone wants to play hardball..I don't want the bpa going by without dealing down. #5 is where I'd like to go if Joe Thomas is there..give him to the Cards let Tampa get Calvin and take Brady.

Use the extra 2nd to select some of the lineman available..

"Sears Grubbs Blalock Kalil Tyler etc"

I'm just saying if worse comes to worse and we take Quinn at least Frye's ass isn't here right?

 

[PIP]

Frye ????

Not familiar with his work...

 

[cdt]

Frye ????

Not familiar with his work...

21st Century American Quarterback..his most famous works include...

"The Pass"

"The Scramble"

"The Offseason In January/February"

"Kickin it with the Homies"

 

[Cavalier Domer]

If we are looking for a franchise quarterback, I see no reason why not to take Quinn with the 3rd pick. The draft should be about picking players to fill holes, not necessarily the best talent on the board. We clearly need a quarterback (along with a back and both some D and O line, granted), so why not take Quinn? I have seen every single one of this games over the past 3 years and believe me, it has never been a question of his talent or abilities, but rather always about the team around him. He gets flak for not stepping up in the big games, like Michigan, USC, and LSU this year, but anyone who watched Notre Dame football regularly knows that it was the defense and O-line that lost those games, not Brady. If you want an extremely smart, poised, and accurate quarterback, take Quinn, because he really is the best one out there. Drafting the best talent won't work in our case. What good is another high-profile receiver if we can't even get the ball to him 15 yards out?