Last year, following the Browns victory over Miami, Trent Dilfer expressed
uncharacteristic irritation with being removed for rookie Charlie Frye during
the course of the game. Most Browns fans never saw the news conference, since
some of the usual sources of post-game video elected not to make it available
over the internet.
That Dilfer was upset following the game was seen by some as prima donna
behavior from someone upset at being lifted for another quarterback.
Dilfer also made some remarks implicating the coaching staff following the 2005
Browns loss to the Minnesota Vikings, pointedly saying "I just do what I'm told"
when referring to questionable clock management at the end of the first half of
that game.
It was perceived by many observers following these events that Dilfer and Browns
offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon weren't seeing eye-to-eye on how to run
the offense, and what Dilfer's role within the offense would be.
The veteran quarterback's comments this afternoon should solidify some of those
suspicions, and perhaps help to explain his reactions in 2005.
Prior to the 2006 season, Dilfer made no secret that he wouldn't mind being
traded to San Francisco, where Mike Nolan's club was looking for a veteran
backup for Alex Smith. The Browns ultimately dealt the QB to the 49ers in
exchange for QB Ken Dorsey and a seventh-round draft pick.
According to Craig Massei of
SF Illustrated,
Dilfer has commented on his old offensive coordinator indirectly a couple of
times, and has discussed how he felt wide receiver Antonio Bryant wasn't used
properly when he was with the Browns. Bryant, nonetheless, had a 1,000-yard
season with the Browns in 2005.
Today, spurred on by a request by "grinquisit" in the OBR's
Ask the Insiders
forum, Massei talked to Trent Dilfer about Maurice Carthon. Here are his
remarks, reported exclusively here on the TheOBR.com:Q:
What’s your reaction to what went down in Cleveland yesterday?
Dilfer: About him being fired? It doesn’t hurt my feelings one
bit.
Q: There’s been a lot of head-scratching this year
regarding Carthon’s play-calling and use of offensive personnel. Did you see
some of the same things going on when you were there last year?
Dilfer: Yeah, I made no bones about it. I didn’t think he was
very good from the second I got there. I think there’s people that are good at
what they do, and people that aren’t.
Q: So you saw this coming from 2,000 miles away?
Dilfer: I’m shocked it didn’t happen sooner.
Q: You think because of Romeo’s background in defense,
he stuck with Carthon a little longer than he should have?
Dilfer: I can’t explain why he stuck with him, to be honest
with you.