Browns considering Quinn over Anderson

By Neal Coolong  |   Tuesday, September 23, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Cleveland Browns
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

After a disastrous 34-7, season-opening loss at home to Pittsburgh in 2007, Browns coach Romeo Crennel switched quarterbacks, and it very well may have saved his team's season. Charlie Frye was traded to Seattle after that defeat, and Derek Anderson was handed the keys to the offense. Anderson then went 10-5 as a starter for the Browns, who narrowly missed the playoffs.

Now, three weeks into the 2008 campaign, it may be Anderson on his way out of the lineup.

Crennel told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer on Tuesday that this week's practices will determine whether Anderson or 2007 first-round draft pick Brady Quinn will start. Anderson has led one of the league's most explosive offenses to a poor start in 2008, going 0-3 with a critical AFC North matchup at winless Cincinnati up next.

Commentary: This shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Even with the three-year, $21 million contract Anderson signed in the offseason, his capital was only going to last as long as he won. The Browns traded back into the first round of the '07 draft to get Quinn, an Ohio native and ex-Notre Dame star.

Couple their poor start with the fact the Browns were able to salvage their season by making a quarterback change last year, and it would seem there is some logic behind going to thebullpen now. However, Anderson's breakout game was against Cincinnati last year, when he threw for 328 yards and five touchdowns. So, it comes down to practice.

Anderson currently has completed 46.2 percent of his passes, and he has two touchdowns to five interceptions for an efficiency rating of 43.5 - second lowest among starting QBs in the league. He threw three picks in a 28-10 loss at Baltimore in Week 3.

Fan Pulse: Over at the Browns Board, a Cleveland-based fan forum, the discussion is centered on the biggest in-season change a team can make.

Fantasy Football Impact: It will be interesting to see how the market reacts to the possible benching of Anderson, who saved many an owner as a waiver-wire pickup last year. There are a lot of weapons on that offense, and if Quinn doesn't win the job this week, it seems to be merely a matter of time until he does.

Injury Watch: The Browns were without linebacker Willie McGinest, wide receiver Donte' Stallworth and guard Eric Steinbach in the loss to the Ravens.

Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (3)

About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report