The trade of Charlie Frye was a good move for both the player and the Cleveland Browns.  Frye had a terrible performance for Cleveland on Sunday against the Steelers.  And that was the signal that it was time to move on for both sides. 

Frye never had much of a chance in Cleveland.  He’s played behind a bad offensive line and didn’t have much support around him last season.  Quarterbacks tend to develop bad habits when under those circumstances.  It was no different with Frye.  Frye is a tough guy who can move around the pocket, but tried to make too many things happen by himself.  As a result, he lost his field vision and tried forcing too many plays. 

Frye still has an opportunity to become a solid quarterback in this league.  That will be a few years down the road.  He’ll have an opportunity to now take a step back and put his game back together under a stable offensive system in Seattle.  And he’ll also have an opportunity to work with one of the best teachers around the league in Mike Holmgren.  Frye will have the also watch a veteran quarterback like Matt Hasselbeck function in this offensive system. 

As for Cleveland, Derek Anderson steps into the starting lineup for the short-term.  Anderson is more of a pocket passer with a better arm than Frye, but lacks awareness and makes poor decisions with the ball. 

Everyone is now asking why isn’t Brady Quinn in the lineup yet?  I believe it will be sooner than later at this point.  Quinn will get more reps during the week without Frye in the fold.  But the Browns also need to see the rest of their offense find a rhythm – especially along the offensive line.  I believe the offensive line will begin to come together in the next few weeks.  With the exception of Hank Fraley at center, the rest of the line features new starters from last season including a rookie left tackle.  And Kevin Shaffer is adjusting from moving to the right side of the line. 

At the same, the Browns have to look at the big picture and make sure they are making the proper decision on Brady Quinn’s development for the long-term.  Quinn will take his lumps, but you also want to put him in a position to have some measure of success on the field. 

The Titans made a solid move picking up veteran defensive end Bryce Fisher from Seattle.  Fisher is expected to upgrade their depth off the perimeter behind Kyle Vanden Bosch and Antwan Odom. 

Fisher plays with a lot of effort and is a very savvy pass rusher.  He also can play both end position and move inside as a pass rusher on third down.  Fisher tends to wear down if he plays too many snaps over the course of a season, which was the situation in Seattle last season, but he’ll give the Titans production within a rotation. 

The Titans and Jeff Fisher value having depth upfront.  That’s something they haven’t had the past couple seasons. 

In Seattle, Fisher lost his starting job to emerging second-year player Darryl Tapp and rookie Baraka Atkins has quickly established himself as a solid backup.  They also recently added former Texan Jason Babin to their rotation. 

Losing Marcus Tubbs is a blow to the hopes of an improved run defense this season in Seattle.  Without Tubbs last season, the Seahawks struggled mightily to slow down opposing teams on the ground.  The Seahawks were expecting Tubb’s presence in the middle of their front four to help provide some bulk against the run.  If the Seahawks are to bounce back from an injury-ravaged season to make another Super Bowl run, they knew they would have to stop opponents on the ground. 

Without Tubbs, the Seahawks will again be undersized upfront.  Chuck Darby and Rocky Bernard play with a lot of effort and hustle on the move, but are undersized and wear down when they play too many snaps.  Both would be third or fourth members of the interior rotations for many teams.  Veteran Russell Davis may now make the team with Tubbs gone for the year.  Davis provides some size inside.  He’s effective against the run and plays hard, but he lacks the ability to shut down running lanes inside like Tubbs.  Craig Terrill has a good motor inside and will make some plays off hustle, but he’s small and strictly a rotation player. 

Rookie Brandon Mebane has opened a lot of eyes this summer.  He’s on the small side, but impresses coaches with his excellent quickness off the ball and his tenacity.  Mebane won’t shut down opponents inside nor clog gaps, but he’ll annoy offensive lineman with his motor. 

Without Tubbs, the Seahawks’ front four is smallish across the board – especially when you factor the three man rotation at defensive end with Patrick Kerney, Bryce Fisher, and Darryl Tapp.  They’ll have trouble again protecting Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, active linebackers who must make plays on the run.  

Not many people are talking about the St. Louis Rams.  They ended the 2006 season strong under first-year coach Scott Linehan.  The biggest question again will be on the defensive side of the ball.  Rookie Adam Carriker should make a difference in helping the Rams improve against the run.  He brings a strong temperament to the defense and will do a better job of controlling the line of scrimmage than Jimmy Kennedy ever did.  His presence should help create more opportunities for Will Witherspoon to make more plays on the move from the middle linebacker position.  If Pisa Tinoisamoa returns healthy, he helps create an identity in Jim Haslett’s defense.  On the other side of the ball, the Rams will score points.  Marc Bulger is coming off a very productive season.  Torry Holt will be healthy after being slowed by knee problems.  Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael bring added versatility to an already strong passing game.  Bennett’s size on third downs and inside the red zone excites Linehan.  Steven Jackson is joining the elite group of running backs in the league.  The offensive line was in transition last season –especially with an injection of youth along the interior.  They should blend themselves into a solid unit this season.

If the Seattle Seahawks can get healthy after an injury-ravaged season, they have the ability to make a run for the NFC Title.  Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander missed a lot of games last season.  Alexander will be 30 years old heading into the season opener and is coming off an injury.  That leaves some questions to be answered.  Deion Branch should be more comfortable in the passing game this season, but needs time to build chemistry with Hasselbeck.  D.J. Hackett is being given an opportunity for a starting role.  I’ve always liked Hackett, but must answer some durability questions as a starter.  Does Marcus Pollard have anything left in the tank?  That’s a big question mark for the tight end position within the passing game.  Several scouts remain concerned about their offensive line – especially on the right side.  And there are some questions about Chris Spencer’s shoulder in the pivot.  There will be a lot to look for on defense.  If they can stay healthy, Marcus Tubbs and Patrick Kerney will make a major impact across the front seven.  This is a defense that must show significant improvement against the run.  Tubbs could be strong an anchor to improve the run defense if his knee is sound.  Kerney is a very productive pass rusher off the perimeter.  Brian Russell and Deon Grant should bring more stability and direction to the secondary from both safety spots.  I’d like to see Marcus Trufant evolve into a playmaker under Jim Mora. 

I believe the San Francisco 49ers are moving in a positive direction, but they still have a lot of questions to answer.  They’ll miss the presence of Norv Turner as offensive coordinator, but need to build off his philosophy.  Turner helped the offense gain credibility and confidence last season.  Frank Gore is a very strong presence on the ground, but the 49ers need to run the ball even more.  Unfortunately, they don’t have another back to give them a strong 10 carries behind Gore.  I am just not sure Michael Robinson is more than a utility player out of the backfield.   Alex Smith made a lot of strides last season at quarterback, but he needs help in the passing game.  Darrell Jackson adds a steady veteran presence.  Arnaz Battle could be an adequate target.  I don’t expect Ashley Lelie to be the consistent playmaker the 49ers think they are getting.  They do have a young tight end in Vernon Davis that has the ability to create matchup problems, but he must become more consistent with his hands.  The offensive line has a lot of moving parts, but needs to find a consistent starting five.  Rookie Joe Staley could get pushed into a prominent role sooner than later at one of the tackle spots.  Mike Nolan has made a commitment to the 3-4 on defense.  They’ve added a few building blocks, but need a couple years for this defense to have all its parts.  The 49ers need a true pass rusher.  Manny Lawson struggled adapting as a pass rusher during his rookie season. 

Ken Whisenhunt is going to build a winner with the Arizona Cardinals.  He already inherits a team that has been building an intriguing core of young players.  They finally have a young quarterback to build the franchise around with Matt Leinart.  Leinart is mentally tough for a young quarterback and has a group of solid targets to grow with in the passing game.  The biggest question is whether Edgerrin James returns to form and fits within Whisenhunt’s culture.  Obviously, the offensive line will be a major question, but there is some promise here.  They have a core to build around with Reggie Wells, Deuce Lutui, and rookie Levi Brown.  They also have one of the best line coaches in the league with Russ Grimm.  Defense is always a question in Arizona and now they must make an adjustment to the 3-4.  But I am not sure if they have the pass rushers to help lift this defense.  Bert Berry is capable, but he’s had durability questions the past couple seasons.  Chike Okeafor is a nice part, but not someone opponents fear.  I believe the secondary should display more consistency this season under better coaching.  Antrel Rolle lacks ideal matchup speed, but should be a very solid corner with better technique. 

Arizona Cardinals: Ken Whisenhunt took over a roster that has included the addition of a solid nucleus of skill players.  So the objective for Whisenhunt was becoming a stronger team at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball while improving the run defense. 

Levi Brown addresses the desperate need to add blue-chip talent at offensive tackle.  Brown’s not as polished as Joe Thomas, but Russ Grimm feels strongly about his upside.  Brown possesses solid physical skills and has quick feet, but must refine his footwork and have more consistent focus.  You can guarantee Grimm will be on top of Brown’s development.  Alan Branch has tremendous size and power to control the line of scrimmage, especially on the nose as the Cardinals begin implementing the 3-4 defense.  But Branch will have to learn not to let blockers get into his chest so easily at this level. 

Buster Davis should be a nice addition at inside linebacker in the 3-4.  He’s short, but is very tough and active against the run.  Davis has an instinctive feel to find the football against the run. 

St. Louis Rams: A blue-collar mentality is needed on the defensive side of the football here – especially under Jim Haslett.  Adam Carriker should help the Rams create that new identity on defense – especially against the run.  Carriker has excellent strength and toughness to convert into a solid defender on the nose.  Carriker will bring the intangibles that Jimmy Kennedy failed to display in the trenches. 

Another priority that was address by Scott Linehan was finding depth behind Steven Jackson at running back.  Brian Leonard brings a lot of versatility to the backfield.  He’s tough and has underrated run skills, but displays a tremendous feel for the passing game. 

San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis will be a major component in the evolving new culture on the defensive side of the ball with his competitive nature.  He’s an underrated athlete with excellent physical tools.  The 49ers have gotten along with overachievers at inside linebacker, but Willis will bring better natural tools once he adjusts to the defense.  Joe Staley was a nice bonus pick in the first round.  Mike Nolan loves to create competition along the offensive line.  Jonas Jennings can’t stay healthy and Kwame Harris has been a bust, so Staley will solidify concerns moving forward regarding the offensive line. 

Jason Hill should provide solid depth at wide receiver.  I question whether he’ll play to his timed speed on a track, but has good physical tools to strengthen their depth.  Ray McDonald was a nice pickup despite past knee problems.  He’ll provide quickness to complement the size they are building upfront. 

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks won’t have any star talent coming out of this draft, but they added solid depth at a number of spots.  Josh Wilson is a small, but feisty cornerback who adds depth.  Despite his speed, he’s not fluid in coverage and will have trouble making plays on the ball. He’ll need some work at this level.  But Wilson could become an explosive kickoff returner immediately. 

Courtney Taylor could be a solid backup at wide receiver.  He’s not very fast, but has good size and toughness.  Taylor also has a good feel for getting open.  Jordan Kent will likely be a practice squad member.  He’s on the raw side, but has intriguing athletic tools from his basketball background.  Mansfield Wrotto is a raw developmental guard with excellent size and physical tools.   Brandon Mebane could develop into a backup inside.  He’s limited, but is pesky and has enough quickness to disrupt gaps.