No longer an upstart, can Browns’ Anderson maintain success?

By Connor Byrne  |   Friday, July 18, 2008  |  Comments( 7 )

Cleveland Browns
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From the Miami Dolphins' epic run at previously unmatched futility to the New England Patriots' perfect regular season to the New York Giants' out-of-nowhere Super Bowl march, the 2007-08 NFL campaign was one predicated largely on surprises. Perhaps no individual player lived up to that notion more than Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson, a onetime fifth-round pick and former member of the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad who transformed from summer afterthought to fall hero last year.

Twelve months ago, the thinking in Cleveland was that veteran Charlie Frye -- a third-round pick in 2005 from nearby Akron -- would be the team's signal-caller for most of the season, eventually passing the proverbial torch to first-rounder and ex-Notre Dame star Brady Quinn. The belief was that the Browns weren't going to contend for anything, so why not let Quinn learn from the sideline for several weeks before becoming the face of the franchise? Ultimately, though, the much-ballyhooed Quinn barely broke a sweat as a rookie.

Instead, it was Anderson who grabbed the reins during Week 1 and never let go. After Frye turned in a 4-of-10, 34-yard, one-interception performance early in an Opening Day loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh, Anderson came off the bench and fared better than his teammate, completing 13-of-28 throws for 184 yards, a touchdown and a pick; nevertheless, the Browns were embarrassed by the Steelers in dropping a 34-7 decision at home.

Midway through the next week, Cleveland general manager Phil Savage decided to trade the 26-year-old Frye to Seattle for a sixth-round pick. The rest, as they say, was history.

Anderson, during his first start of the season, hit on 20-of-33 passes for 328 yards and a staggering five touchdowns in a 51-45 shootout win over in-state nemesis Cincinnati in Week 2. The magic didn't stop there, however, as Anderson found himself with 17 scoring strikes and nine interceptions at the season's halfway point, having led the underdog Browns to a 5-3 first-half record.

The Browns didn't fade during the final eight games of '07, once again going 5-3 to finish 10-6, but that wasn't enough to secure a playoff berth in the highly competitive AFC. What's more, the 6-foot-6, 229-pound Anderson saw his numbers tail off during the second half of the year, throwing five fewer TDs (12) than he did during the season's opening eight games and the same amount of picks (nine). Worse, his passer rating exceeded a middling 83.4 just once after Nov. 11, which was clearly the sign of a QB whose balloon was deflated by wintry weather conditions and defensive coordinators who figured him out (to an extent, at least) as the season went on.

Anderson's stats -- 3,787 yards, 29 scores, 19 picks -- were certainly above average in the end, leading to a Pro Bowl appearance as an alternate, but it was clear the gunslinger Browns fans saw during the season's first half was far more prolific and prodigious than the version from the second. Despite that fact, Anderson's success hamstrung Savage during the offseason, forcing the executive to give the former Oregon State standout a three-year contract worth big money.

Anderson's newfound wealth aside, the pressure is much greater in Cleveland entering this year after last season's promising showing. Returning with Anderson, 25, on offense are the same terrific, Joe Thomas-led line, the same 1,300-yard running back (Jamal Lewis), and the same elite-level receiver (Braylon Edwards, who caught 80 passes for 1,200-plus yards and 17 TDs last year) and tight end (Kellen Winslow II, who registered 80 grabs and over 1,100 yards), not to mention a new addition in ex-Patriot wideout Donte' Stallworth (46 receptions, 15.2 yards per catch).

The great expectations for the Browns mean Anderson & Co. won't sneak up on anyone this time around. The bad news for Anderson is that, if his mediocre second-half performance from 2007 pours into '08, native son Quinn (born in Columbus, raised in Dublin) just might sneak up on him.

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