Crennel defends using Frye at QB

The Cleveland coach said he wanted the rookie quarterback to get his feet wet.
BEREA (AP) -- Browns coach Romeo Crennel understands quarterback Trent Dilfer's frustration with being benched, even temporarily, for a rookie.
But that doesn't mean Crennel will hesitate to substitute Charlie Frye for Dilfer again.
Dilfer expressed his displeasure Sunday with Crennel's decision to play Frye for three series in Cleveland's 22-0 win against Miami. Crennel, though, was unfazed by Dilfer's comments.
"Trent is a competitor and as a competitor he wants the ball in his hands," Crennel said Monday. "He's told me he wants the ball in his hands, and so when I take it out of his hands, he is not satisfied. I don't blame him. I wouldn't be satisfied either."
Crennel had been saying all season that he was waiting for the right time to play Frye, the team's third-round pick from Akron. He told both quarterbacks last week of the possibility that Frye would play against the Dolphins.
Reasons Frye played
One reason Crennel played Frye was that the Browns were at home and he wanted the rookie to get his first action on friendly turf. Another reason was that the Browns took a 9-0 lead in the second quarter.
"It was a close game, but I thought we could see how he does with one series," Crennel said. "That was a chance I took. It worked out."
Frye's first pass was underthrown and incomplete. He also made an ill-advised throw that Dolphins defensive back Sam Madison should have intercepted. Instead, the 14-play, 57-yard drive continued and Phil Dawson kicked a 40-yard field goal.
Frye finished 6-of-11 for 58 yards and one interception on a ball that fellow rookie Braylon Edwards should have caught.
"He's still a rookie and he made some rookie mistakes," Crennel said. "The objective was to get his feet wet. He got his feet wet and got some experience. At some point down the road, we'll get them a little more wet."
Not saying when
Crennel wouldn't say whether that next chance will be at Minnesota this weekend.
"It's a gut feeling on my part," Crennel said. "Sometimes, you don't get the feeling until the game is in progress. You have to see how the game is going and what the situation is."
Dilfer complained that getting taken out of the game for a series hurt his rhythm. He said that although he will support Crennel's decision, he does not agree with it.
Crennel acknowledged that such substitutions could disrupt a player's rhythm.
"If you take the running back out and put another running back in, he will tell you that it disrupts his rhythm. He needs to get carries," Crennel said. "It's no different from any other position."
Dilfer came to Cleveland after serving as a backup in Seattle, looking for one more chance to be a starter. He's been a mentor to Frye and even gave him a game ball despite being miffed that Crennel played the rookie.
Relationship not at risk
Crennel isn't concerned with creating a rift between the two.
"Trent and Charlie are good friends," Crennel said. "Trent has been helping Charlie tremendously since training camp started, and Charlie will tell you that. ... I don't think that their relationship will be hurt one iota by a couple of series here and there."
Crennel gave the players the day off on Monday as reward for dominating Miami in the Browns' finest performance of the season and first shutout in four years.
The Browns also were fortunate to come out of the game largely injury free -- except for Dilfer's bruised ego.
"He wants to be the guy with the ball to try to win the game," Crennel said. "I took him out of the game -- he's not crazy about it. But he's a professional. He's going to do his job to the best of his ability and help this team win."