Will Raiders’ Frye see the field in 2009?

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Friday, June 12, 2009  |  Comments( 21 )

Oakland Raiders
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The Oakland Raiders went into last season with major question marks under center, but this year is shaping up differently. The Raiders have an adequate mix of experience and youth on the roster that will compete for playing time. Charlie Frye is Oakland’s latest addition at quarterback and could end up seeing the field more than anticipated.

Not only does Frye bridge the gap between third-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell and veteran Jeff Garcia but he’s a former starter who has displayed some ability on the field. Frye has started 18 games during his four years in the NFL, including stops with the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks along the way.

Frye, a former third-round draft pick, was once the heir apparent at quarterback in Cleveland. However, those plans came to a halt after the emergence of Derek Anderson and the acquisition of Brady Quinn. Frye found himself on the outside looking in and was traded to the Seahawks early in the 2007 season.

In Cleveland, Frye was the starter for five games in his rookie season and started 13 contests during his sophomore campaign. While he didn’t exactly light it up, Frye’s performance was respectable for a young signal-caller. In his first 20 outings as a professional, Frye threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 63 percent of his passes.

Prior to his demise, Frye was quite a hit with the Browns. Cleveland went as far as declaring a “Frye-day” across the city and the former Akron star was even described as a young Brett Favre by former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. If Frye can recapture that magic in the Bay Area, he could prove to be the long-term answer the Raiders have been searching for under center.

The majority of Raider Nation is optimistic that Russell – the first overall pick of the 2007 draft – will seize the starting job while others envision Garcia taking over. However, Frye could be the ultimate wild card heading into this year. With Garcia’s playing career winding down and Russell’s future still unknown, Frye might be the most stable quarterback residing in Oakland.

If Frye receives expanded playing time during the upcoming season, Russell’s future with the organization will be in serious jeopardy. That may leave Raider fans dreading the day Frye takes the reins of the Oakland offense. Nevertheless, Frye’s presence on the field could become a reality if Russell’s development doesn’t pan out.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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