Dilfer vindicates decision to keep him at QB
Monday, November 7, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By STEVE DOERSCHUK
CLEVELAND - Upon further review — and the Dawg Pound scrutinized Trent Dilfer play by play — it can be convincingly argued that Romeo was right.
Dilfer responded to Head Coach Romeo Crennel’s vote of confidence with a 272-yard passing day that helped produce a 20-14 win over the Titans.
At one point, wideout Antonio Bryant remembered saying to Dilfer, “Man, keep doing what you’re doing.”
“They were bangin’ him, and he was staying poised,” Bryant said. “He looked comfortable. I loved to see him like that.”
Crennel kept Browns fans in suspense until Wednesday, when he said he wouldn’t replace a slumping Dilfer with rookie Charlie Frye.
“Statistically,” Dilfer said in his postgame press conference, “it wasn’t a real proud three weeks, but my approach was no different this week than any other.
“If we woulda lost this game ... as much as you guys would want me to, I wasn’t gonna put a gun to my head.”
That’s strong language, but it reflects the psyche of a guy who has worked hard, endeared the front office with his demeanor, but had trouble winning over fans.
Before the offense put up a huge third quarter, Dilfer’s incompletions were followed by rumblings of boos and “Charlie, Charlie” chants.
Dilfer had an effective afternoon under tough weather conditions. Wind was measured at 18-40 mph. At one point, a torrential rain fell.
“You guys were probably up in the box eating hot dogs and potato chips,” Dilfer said, “but it was brutal down there.”
He didn’t know how right he was. The halftime press meal included frankfurters and nacho chips.
Dilfer liked what he called an “aggressive” game plan.
“When you’re pumping the ball down the field,” he said, “you have an effect on the defense.
“Even the ones we didn’t hit scared the snot out of ’em.”
One such play was a deep throw toward Braylon Edwards, who had single coverage against Pacman Jones.
“When I threw it, I thought it was perfect, and he thought it was,” Dilfer said.
It was blown off course.
“They’re not completions,” Dilfer said, “but they’re purpose plays.”
It was a purpose performance for Dilfer, at least to the extent there is no doubt he will be the quarterback next Sunday night at Pittsburgh. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail:
[email protected]
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hehe just busting your balls.
