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Chud's offense finally ready to go
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
09.07.2007
It's been a long seven months since the Browns began prepping and installing their new offense under coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Now, it's finally time to debut the new scheme in a game that counts -- and score enough points to win.

One of the most perennially renowned defenses in the NFL in recent memory comes to town Sunday in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We've made a lot of strides," Chudzinski said. "I feel good about where we're at right now and I think we'll continue to grow. We're ready to play and guys are excited and looking forward to it."

Chudzinski's offense is designed to challenge the defense using heavy pre-snap motion, forcing the opposition to make adjustments just before the play.

While at first the offense struggled getting plays off on time and had trouble in the red zone, the recent results have been encouraging. The Browns finished fifth in the AFC in yards per game during the preseason, marking the third-best passing offense in the conference.

"This offense is designed to confuse the opponent, so we have to really have it down to be able to confuse them," right tackle Kevin Shaffer said. "It's something that takes some time but that's what we've been doing for the last so-many months now. I think we're there."

After a lengthy quarterback competition that lasted the duration of offseason workouts and the preseason, third-year Willard, Ohio native Charlie Frye will be at the helm of the offense when it takes the field Sunday.

Frye at times looked as if he might lose the upper hand on the battle to Derek Anderson, but completed nearly 65 percent of his passes during a productive preseason to secure the job.

"Charlie knows he has to manage the offense," Chudzinski said. "And if he manages the offense and does the things we need him to do he doesn't need to be Superman.

"My expectation with Charlie is that he's going to play well. He has prepared himself and put himself in a situation and really gone over and above."

In front of Frye is a newly revamped offensive line that will feature only one holdover playing at the same position as 2006.

Shaffer, the team's left tackle in '06, has moved to right tackle and will play next to right guard Seth McKinney, a veteran who missed all of the '06 season due to injury.

Center Hank Fraley remains at the center position and was voted a team captain earlier in the week.

"Hank has been great since day one in terms of leadership, work ethic and setting the tempo," Chudzinski said.

To Fraley's left will be left guard Eric Steinbach, the team's marquee free agent signing of the offseason.

Completing the line is No. 3 overall pick Joe Thomas, who will begin his career as the team's starting left tackle in charge of protecting the quarterbacks' blindside.

"The thing you like seeing in rookies is that when they make a mistake they get it corrected and they don't make the same mistake twice," Chudzinski said. "(Thomas has) done that. He's improved with the things he struggled with and that's what you like to see."

Unfortunately for the Browns, the club has scarcely had all five players together. Steinbach missed most of camp and all four of the club's preseason games with a sprained knee, while Shaffer has been sidelined due to a concussion.

Both have practiced on a limited basis throughout the week but say they will on the field come Sunday.

"We've had to shuffle some guys around," Chudzinski said. "In a perfect situation you have them all together because it takes time for them to gel. That wasn't ideal but we've worked through it."

Behind Frye will be former Pro Bowl running back Jamal Lewis, a veteran on a one-year contract in his best shape in recent years, anxious to prove he's still capable of being a workhorse back in the NFL.

That sort of combination tends to lead to good things.

"He came in from day one in great condition, lighter than he had been, quicker than he had been and his attitude has been great," Chudzinski said of Lewis. "I've been very pleased with him."

As for targets for Frye, the short passing game likely will include heavy doses of tight end Kellen Winslow, whose 89-reception season a year ago tied the team record.

Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius lead a talented group of receivers that also includes Tim Carter, Travis Wilson, and Joshua Cribbs, the third-year former quarterback whose contributions could come in the form of creative play-calling from Chudzinski.

"I'm excited about this group," Chudzinski said. "I like the way they responded (this spring and summer) and if they continue to respond the way they are good things will happen for us."

"The time has flown by since the first day walking in. We've come a long way and we're excited about it."

Nice article - sure hope they are right... we'll see this Sunday

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Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius lead a talented group of receivers that also includes Tim Carter, Travis Wilson, and Joshua Cribbs, the third-year former quarterback whose contributions could come in the form of creative play-calling from Chudzinski.

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Did Tim Carter even cacth a single pass all pre-season?

No but he managed to hold on every single play i saw him involved in but luckily the refs didnt call holding this preseason.

Now now Mour we know Tim Carter cant hold on to anything unless its an injury

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Center Hank Fraley remains at the center position and was voted a team captain earlier in the week.
"Hank has been great since day one in terms of leadership, work ethic and setting the tempo," Chudzinski said.

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I like Hank, congrats to him being voted a captain. He's even got an old-school name that is perfect for a centre.

Chudzinski's offense steps into spotlight

REPOSITORY MICHAEL S. BALASH
CHUD'S OFFENSE Rob Chudzinski (left, with backup quarterback Derek Anderson) will make his regular-season debut as the Browns' offensive coordinator Sunday against the Steelers.


By STEVE DOERSCHUK
Repository sports writer

BEREA Cold and hot. Hot and cold. Rob Chudzinski has had it both ways.

He played tight end at Toledo St. John's High School and at the University of Miami.

He coached for the San Diego Chargers last year and now is back where they ice fish.

As the Browns' new offensive coordinator, he hopes to get hot in a hurry Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Chudzinski, 39, uses formations and shifts intended to create mismatches, such as a slow linebacker covering tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. or a short cornerback covering 6-foot-5 Joe Jurevicius.

On Friday, he covered some key points leading up to Sunday's opener, including:

• What must quarterback Charlie Frye do?

"If he manages the offense and does what we need him to do, we'll play well. ... He doesn't have to be Superman."

• Can rookie Round 1 pick Joe Thomas play as well as a rookie left tackle as Round 2 pick Marcus McNeill did in San Diego last year?

"I'm pleased with his progress. He's a smart guy. He's improved with things he struggled with or did wrong. We're counting on him being a heckuva player for us."

• Can Jamal Lewis return to the form he showed a few years ago with Baltimore?

"He came in in great condition, lighter than he'd been. His attitude is great. Obviously, his confidence and experience brings something to us."

• Lewis was ignored as a receiver with Baltimore, but will he catch the ball a lot with the Browns?

"I don't think he's dropped one ball (in the preseason). It's really nice to see."

• What's with the offense stalling near the goal line in the first half of preseason games?

"We worked through that. Now you can zero in game-plan-wise on what you want to do."

• Wideout Braylon Edwards says he's jazzed about Chudzinski.

"That's what you hope you do. I'm excited about this group. I like the way they've responded."

• The offensive line lost tackle Ryan Tucker to a four-game suspension, moved Kevin Shaffer to left tackle and lost guard Eric Steinbach to injury for the preseason.

"We've worked through it. It helps us in a way, to see some other guys."

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

STEELERS AT BROWNS

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Cleveland Browns Stadium

TV Channel 19


http://www.cantonrep.com

Man did he really slice and dice the Chudzinski press conference....The main site has the whole thing that you can play.....

Chud... Weis... Errrrr......


Tomorrow a CAN will be unleased on the Steelers...

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• The offensive line lost tackle Ryan Tucker to a four-game suspension, moved Kevin Shaffer to left tackle and lost guard Eric Steinbach to injury for the preseason.

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One would think that the writers who cover this squad every day would know what positions they are playing......


I'm anxious to see this O as it was designed to play, not the crap we saw in the pre-season. I'm pretty excited for the first time in awhile........

Probalby just a typo Shep,,, but with the level of media talent in this area,, it could be stupidity as well,,,

Nice fluff article, it's nice but no matter what offesive scheme you run without talent were still looking at alot of 3 and outs, which we will see alot of this year.

We are still a year or 2 away of having the talent and depth to be actual NFL competition, Look at Hank Fraley who was named our team captain, do you guys think he would be the captain on any other team? I like Hank and he played well last year, but isn't team captain material, thats one reason why we need more talent. I am as rev'ed up about tomorrows game and hope we win, and would be big for our team at this juncture, but I am not going to get my hopes up, if this season plays out the way I think it's going to be long and show our glaring needs.

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Look at Hank Fraley who was named our team captain, do you guys think he would be the captain on any other team?

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Brian Cox was captain of one of the superbowl Pats teams and he was a backup who saw little time........

I see no point in your comment

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Look at Hank Fraley who was named our team captain, do you guys think he would be the captain on any other team? I like Hank and he played well last year, but isn't team captain material, thats one reason why we need more talent.

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Team captains aren't neccesarily the "best" or "most talented" guys on the team. Captains are chosen by there fellow teamates based on character,respect,and leadership qualities.

So,...unless you know Hank on a more personal level and how he interacts with the rest of his teamates,....that's a totally unfair statement.

Brian Cox was a stud and an All- Pro during his career and when he was a captain for NE it was more due to his experiance and time in the NFL. He had leadership qualities that everyone in the league knew about. I see Hank as a solid NFL player, but there is no comparision between him and Brian Cox.

I want to add this, when I made my initial comment I wasn't dogging on Hank, I am happy to have him on our team and wish we had more like him, I am just pointing out our quality issues, lets face it we need some legit studs, and not on paper, on the field.

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Team captains aren't neccesarily the "best" or "most talented" guys on the team. Captains are chosen by there fellow teamates based on character,respect,and leadership qualities.

So,...unless you know Hank on a more personal level and how he interacts with the rest of his teamates,....that's a totally unfair statement.

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How many team captains do you know of that recieved that position only after one year on the team?

I understand what your saying it's not always the best player, but it is a sign of depth and continuity, this is where we lack. We are going the right way, we just are not there yet. I also hope Hank is the captain for a few more years as well, that will show us we've headed in the right direction.

Hank's a very popular guy on these boards if you haven't noticed.....lol

I've read some of your posts and you seem to be very pesimistic. I understand where you're going at, but I dissagree. We have a few veterans on this team who are good leaders and mentors to the rest of the guys. Willie McGinnest, Orpheus Roye, TW, Fraley. I don't see how you would have any way to judge Fraley's captaining skills based on how long he's been with the team or how good he really is. Hank's a solid player and a team player. He moved here last year out of the blue and worked his butt off. He probably was chosen to be captain based on his experience, work ethic, and character. Being chosen to be Captain is not soley based on how talented your are or how long you've been with the team.......

I'm telling you guys there shoiuld be a Troll Alert out there for a poster on this thread

I see no need for that, I am a Hank Fraley fan, I loved his work all year last season and congrats to him on his position on being named captain, but you guys missed my point. Instead I am a troll because I feel we need more depth. I've been a Browns fan since the mid 70's when I was a kid, to call me a troll is uncalled for since I bleed Brown and Orange week in and week out. 0-16 or 16-0 I am and always will be a Browns fan.

Don't listen to the troll crap.

I've read every one of your posts and I don't see it. You do sound a bit pessimistic but so do many others. It's hard to look at this team for what it is and not be a bit pessimistic sounding.

On the other hand, I've also read some positive things you've said and that makes me think you are balanced and are looking at the reality of the team. It's not all good; it's not all bad. There is always room for improvement. If we're ever going to improve, now would be the time.

Welcome to the board.

I've read your comments to eotab in his thread and it's apparent that you are trying to get along and fit in here. In fact, your comments toward Damanshot just now also show that you're not here to start crap with anyone but won't take crap from nobody either. That sounds to me like most of the dawgs on this board.

Just keep coming back. This is a great message board.

Yeah, it's a very tight knit group of posters here Fletch, something special that you don't find on other message boards.

It's just that sometimes people come here and start trouble just for the sake of doing it. Since there's so little of that on this board, it's easy for us to call someone out for it. So yeah, while I thought you were a troll earlier; i'll hold my tongue and wait it out. hehe.

I agree though, we do need depth. But Hank Fraley and even the O-Line isn't our problem. It's RB and D-Line. QB will be okay soon enough, it's if Jamal Lewis goes down that we find out if we go 4-12 verses 6-10 or 7-9 (i'm hoping)

It's just that the last thing I want to hear the day before opening game is comments about our captains not being qualified. lol. There's plenty of time to get negative further into the season, we haven't lost yet so I like to look at the glass as half full