Deja Vu Again: Brady Quinn Brings Back Memories of Charlie Frye

As the game came to an end and I realized I had watched the Browns offense scuffle for another week, a weird feeling came over me. I began to feel like I had already watched this game before and I had already seen this outcome occur.

While part of me initially believed that this game merely continued the trend of terrible offensive play I've witnessed over the last 10 years, another part of me felt it was more specific than that.

As I watched Brady Quinn fling an interception to the Broncos secondary in the fourth quarter, it hit me: I realized I had watched this situation unfold before.

I remembered the 2007 opener, when Charlie Frye lobbed an interception to the Steelers' secondary in the Browns' 34-7 loss to the Steelers.

As Frye's pass was intercepted, I remember thinking that Charlie Frye was finished as the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. Ironically, that same thought entered my mind today as I watched Quinn's interception and saw his struggle come to an end.

However, the comparison between Frye and Quinn goes deeper than that.

Frye was described in SI.com's 2005 NFL Draft Preview as a "natural, smart leader" who possessed "both the physical and mental intangibles."

SI.com also told how Frye wisely "tosses to the safe underneath route if nothing is available downfield."

SI.com's only negative regarding Frye was that his arm strength was questionable.

These same qualities have coincidentally been used to describe Brady Quinn...

Quinn and Frye both also have comparably lower yards per pass attempt in their professional careers than they did in their college careers.

In college, Quinn averaged 7.3 yards per pass attempt. Frye similarly averaged 7.7 yards per attempt.

However, when Quinn reached the NFL, his average dropped to 5.8 yards per pass attempt. Frye's average similarly fell to 4.7 yards per attempt.

Backup quarterback Derek Anderson's jump to the NFL had a less significant effect on his average yards per passing attempt. His 7.4 yard average at Oregon State only fell to 6.7 yards per passing attempt in his NFL career.

These statistics suggest that Quinn and Frye were both solid college quarterbacks but became increasingly overrated due to their prolific statistics. The professional passing game, however, requires a stronger arm, which Frye and Quinn clearly don't have.

Quinn might receive a few more opportunities from the Cleveland Browns to prove himself than Frye did in 2007. Despite Quinn's poor performance, the Browns have invested in him and want to see him succeed.

However, a tough Ravens defense next week will likely continue Quinn's struggles. If Quinn's performance doesn't improve against rival Baltimore, Mangini may reconsider which quarterback gives the Browns the best chance to win.