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[Zippy989]

Frye pleased to be picked by Browns

Being third player chosen in third round sits well with the Zips' record-setting senior quarterback

By David Lee Morgan Jr.

Beacon Journal staff writer

Zips senior quarterback Charlie Frye has always been cool, calm and collected during his illustrious career at the University of Akron.

So when he wasn't taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft Saturday, as some draft experts expected, he wasn't sweating it.

He knew his time was coming. And in the third round, with the 67th overall pick, the Browns selected Frye.

``I was the third guy taken in the third round, so I'm happy with that,'' said Frye, who finished his collegiate career as the school's all-time leader passer with 11,049 yards and holds 54 school records. ``I'm just glad to be with the Cleveland Browns.''

Frye was at his parents' home in Willard with family and friends waiting to hear which team would make the call.

``The Browns called me about 30 seconds before they made the announcement on TV,'' Frye said. ``It's a great feeling to be playing this close to home again. It's going to save me a lot on air fare.''

Some draft experts predicted that Frye would be taken in the second round by the Green Bay Packers with the 51st pick. But the Packers took California's Aaron Rodgers in the first round with the 24th overall pick, which surprised many observers. Not that the Packers picked Rodgers, but the fact that Rodgers lasted that long.

``I wasn't expecting to see Rodgers slip to 24,'' Frye said.

Meanwhile, the Lake County Chapter of the Browns Backers met for a draft party at Lost Nation Sports Park in Willoughby and most were happy to see Frye go to the Browns.

``Charlie Frye is a good pick,'' said Scott Youmell of Mentor. ``He'll be coming into a situation where he will be behind a veteran quarterback (Trent Dilfer) who played in a Super Bowl and is on his way out of the NFL.''

As usual, there were some Browns fans who thought that the organization didn't need another quarterback.

"I don't know about this pick,'' said Mike May of Uniontown. ``I'm not real happy about it because I think it's risky. I know these Mid-American Conference players are up-and-coming, but the Browns have had question marks in the past with the quarterback picks they've made. Like, are they done with (backup quarterback) Luke McCown already?''

McCown, who played at Louisiana Tech, was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2004 draft (106th pick overall).

During his rookie season, McCown appeared in five games, including four starts, and threw for a career-high 277 yards (20-of-34) and two touchdowns against the New England Patriots in December.

But Bill Jones of Cleveland agreed with May.

``I was born and raised in Cleveland and I used to be a Browns fan,'' said Jones, who was proudly sporting a Pittsburgh Steelers hat, sweatshirt and a black turtleneck underneath the sweatshirt with the Steelers logo on the collar.

``They need to build the offensive line. You need a good offensive line to help out your quarterback. Just look at Ben Roethlisberger with the Steelers.

``The number one reason why I don't follow the Browns any more is because when it comes to draft time, they always blow it. Just look at Tim Couch.''

Frye's selection by Browns makes travel easy for family

Quarterback becomes highest drafted Zips player in school history, passing Dolphins' Taylor

By Marla Ridenour

Beacon Journal staff writer

BEREA - When Browns general manager Phil Savage called Charlie Frye's house in Willard to tell him he was about to join the Browns, Frye couldn't hear a word Savage said.

There was too much screaming in the background.

``That was my parents and my brother and my sisters,'' Frye said. ``They saved me a lot of airfare. I don't think they missed a game at Akron. It's a great situation for me.''

It will be an easy trip for the Frye family from their home 40 miles south of Sandusky to Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns selected the University of Akron quarterback 67th overall Saturday.

Frye became the highest Akron player ever selected, surpassing defensive end Jason Taylor, tabbed in the third round and 73rd overall by the Miami Dolphins in 1997. Frye was only the sixth Zip chosen.

After idolizing Bernie Kosar as a youngster, Frye knows Browns fans will be fired up to see him in an orange helmet.

``I think they're going to be excited,'' he said. ``Playing at Akron 30 miles away I'm sure a lot saw me play in college. I'm just as excited as they are to play for the Browns. Hopefully we can make this work.''

That might not be right away. Backing up newly signed free agent Trent Dilfer, Frye will compete to become the Browns' quarterback of the future with one of two rookies from 2004, Luke McCown and Josh Harris. Savage said one of them would likely be traded today.

Asked if he envisioned himself as a winning starter in the pros, Frye said: ``If you don't visualize that, what are you trying to do in the NFL? I know they have Trent Dilfer as a proven veteran. I'm going to learn as much as I can.''

The situation for Frye and the Browns fell perfectly Saturday. Utah's Alex Smith was the No. 1 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, but Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers slipped to 24th, taken by the Green Bay Packers. The Packers had shown a lot of interest in Frye as they searched for the successor to Brett Favre. Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, another player the Browns brought in for a visit, was taken next at No. 25 by the Washington Redskins.

No other quarterbacks were taken between Campbell and Frye.

Frye said he wasn't frustrated going in the third round, but admitted: ``I was getting a little anxious. But I'm coming into a great situation with coach (Romeo) Crennel and the great staff and new general manager Mr. Savage.''

Savage spent two hours watching film with Frye after his pro day at Akron April 1.

``I told him about my history, how much I love the game and love to play the game,'' Frye said. ``We hit it off pretty well. I met the quarterback coach (Rip Scherer) on Wednesday. We watched the Marshall game together. He's a great quarterback coach and I can't wait to start working for him.''

Asked what he'll bring to the Browns, Frye said: ``I'm a competitor, pretty fearless, not scared to run the ball. The No. 1 job of the quarterback is to make plays and win games. I love to play. I spend hours working hard and trying to achieve my goals. I'll take the same work ethic into the NFL.''

Frye said he and one of his father's friends used to share season tickets at Municipal Stadium. But he's never been to the new stadium.

``In college we practice on Sunday,'' he said. ``I can't wait to see it tomorrow.''

As for running out in front of the hometown fans, perhaps in the preseason opener Aug. 13, Frye said: ``I can't wait. I haven't even thought about that. I'm not looking too far ahead. I've got to get ready to play before I think about running out of the tunnel in Cleveland.''

[Ryno aka Menace]

I just wanna say Congrats to the entire Frye family. I am happy for you!!