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StumbleuponBrady Quinn may start for Browns vs. Bengals
COMMENT: Who should start at QB for the Browns?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
CLEVELAND — Maybe it was fitting that Derek Anderson spent his day off at an adoption center for cats and dogs. Cleveland's starting quarterback is on a short leash.
With his team off to a disturbing 0-3 start, Browns coach Romeo Crennel is considering personnel changes and may bench Anderson for popular backup Brady Quinn.
Anderson, who made the Pro Bowl last season while leading Cleveland to 10 wins, has thrown just two touchdown passes and five interceptions in Cleveland's losses to Dallas, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. He enters this week's game at Cincinnati with a 43.5 quarterback rating — only Kansas City's Tyler Thigpen's 38.3 is worse.
Anderson expects to start against the Bengals. However, if he struggles, he won't finish.
He has run out of time.
"I can play better. I know that," Anderson said Tuesday outside the Cleveland Animal Protective League. "It's been frustrating because I've put a lot into it and it's not gone perfect. I'm not making excuses, but it hasn't been what we've all expected it to be. You watch film and it's a few things here and there: a missed throw, a dropped pass.
"It's never going to be perfect, but we thought we would have won at least one or two games so far. I understand it, and I'm just going to continue to keep working, knowing that we're still in this and we just have to find a way to get going."
Wearing a protective sleeve wrap over a bruised right arm, Anderson didn't appear to be nervous about losing his job. He was typically laid-back and approachable as he toured the facility and mingled with volunteers and people adopting animals. At one point, he dropped down on the floor to play with a pair of adorable brown Labradors before they were taken home by delighted new owners.
On Monday, Crennel informed the Browns that he was evaluating every position and that changes could be forthcoming. Anderson didn't need to be told. Pressing to make big plays, he has made poor throws and bad decisions for an injury-riddled offense that has scored a league-low 26 points.
And if Anderson doesn't improve quickly, Crennel will have no choice but to turn things over to Quinn, who will get more repetitions in practice this week with the first-team offense.
"Regardless of the situation, I always put a lot of pressure on myself," said Anderson, who went 14-of-37 for 125 yards with three interceptions on Sunday. "I take it as he (Quinn) is trying to take my job every week. Maybe it's too much pressure I put on myself, but that's just kind of the way I've always thought about it, even in college when I knew I was going to play. Anytime you get comfortable, you have to remind yourself that that guy's chasing you."
In Baltimore, Anderson threw two picks in a 50-second span early in the third quarter. The second one was returned 32 yards for a touchdown by safety Ed Reed, who read Anderson perfectly, jumped wide receiver Syndric Steptoe's route and turned the Ravens' 10-7 deficit into a 21-10 lead.
Crennel said he never considered pulling Anderson to go with Quinn, who played in just one game during his rookie season but has shown poise and potential during the exhibition season.
Anderson knew what he was getting into when he decided to re-sign with the Browns as a restricted free agent in February. Cleveland gave up a first-round draft pick to select Quinn, the former Notre Dame star who despite attempting just eight passes in two seasons, is looked upon as the Browns' savior by the club's loyal-as-dogs fans.
"First-round picks play in this league, regardless of the situation," said Anderson, selected by Baltimore in the sixth round in 2005. "They just play. Signing and coming back here, I knew damn well that I had to play my butt off and play well. I wouldn't have signed here if I didn't think I could."
Anderson, who missed Cleveland's final two preseason games with a concussion, can't be blamed for all the Browns' problems. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has at least five drops and wideouts Donte' Stallworth and Joe Jurevicius haven't played because of injuries. Joshua Cribbs has been slowed by injuries, forcing the inexperienced Steptoe and Steve Sanders into action.
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's play calling has been questionable. He abandoned the running game against the Ravens, leading running back Jamal Lewis to describe his 12 carries as "pathetic."
On top of that, the offensive line hasn't had tackle Ryan Tucker and guard Eric Steinbach missed Sunday's game with a shoulder injury. Anderson was sacked five times in the loss.
Crennel said boosting Anderson's confidence will be a group effort.
"We have to protect better," Crennel said. "We have to be better route runners. We have to catch better and he has to throw better."
Right now, Anderson is in the eye of an imperfect storm.
"You get too much credit when you're doing good and too much blame when you're doing bad, with the coach and the quarterback, that's the way it goes," Anderson said. "I understand that. I have to play better."
Comments
By vango
October 18, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Time to quit crying about QB many other mistake’s have been made, Anderson will be fine it’s the rest of the team I’m worried about!Far to many dropped passes for one!
By SMART GUY
September 28, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
First off, you are all ignorant regis philbin, notre dame fans. Quinn was not THAT impressive in college. Secondly if they thought Quinn was so great, why sign Derek Anderson to the large off season deal?? Maybe it is with the Browns Brass you should have the problem with. Thirdly, derek Anderson should be the starter, he earned it. He had a great season last season. braylon Edwards looks pityful. I have seen the Browns two primetime games, and he had 6 drops, just in those two games.
By SMART GUY
September 28, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
First off, you are all ignorant regis philbin, notre dame fans. Quinn was not THAT impressive in college. Secondly if they thought Quinn was so great, why sign Derek Anderson to the large off season deal?? Maybe it is with the Browns Brass you should have the problem with. Thirdly, derek Anderson should be the starter, he earned it. He had a great season last season. braylon Edwards looks pityful. I have seen the Browns two primetime games, and he had 6 drops, just in those two games.
By SMART GUY
September 28, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
First off, you are all ignorant regis philbin, notre dame fans. Quinn was not THAT impressive in college. Secondly if they thought Quinn was so great, why sign Derek Anderson to the large off season deal?? Maybe it is with the Browns Brass you should have the problem with. Thirsdly, derek Anderson should be the starter, he earned it. He had a great season last season. braylon Edwards looks pityful. I have seen the Browns two primetime games, and he had 6 drops, just in those two games.
By Tyler
September 28, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Start Quinn DA was nothing but a fluke even Jim Brown said to start Quinn vs the bengals. last time I checked THE GREATEST PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL knows just a little more abot football than the guy who has been coaching for 25 years and couldn’t land a head coaching job until now. Romeo get your fat a*s away from the buffet table and start coaching or get out!
By Butterbean
September 27, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Start Quinn. DA choked the last 4 or 5 games last year and has continued that into this year. Above all, Fat Romeo needs to go away either way. He can’t even manage a mediocre two minute drill. The team has talent - the coaches suck.
By MCAH
September 26, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
IT’S DISTURBING TO ME THAT THE BROWNS HAVE FALLEN YET AGAIN. SO FAST AND SO HARD I FOR ONE AM SO TIRED OF SUFFERING THROUGH ANOTHER MISERABLE SEASON. I THOUGHT LAST YEAR WAS THE FACE OF CHANGE . NOW ALL I SEE IS THE SAME OLD S**T.MAYBE ANDERSON WAS A FLASH IN THE PAN ANOTHER TIM COUCH YOU MIGHT SAY. WE ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT OTHER POSITIONS ARE SCREWING US JUST THE SAME . EVERYONE NEEDS TO STEP UP OR STEP OUT
By Celina
September 25, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Quinn does not suck and all you guys who say’s he does are just a bunch of idiots that wish you could be as good looking and as tough as he is, the one who really needs to go is Romeo, I think he did good last year by keeping Quinn out so Quinn could get more experience, but now he’s ready and the coach needs to go, leave Anderson for a bench warmer and let Brady get the job done, GO BROWNS…..
By Some dude in Korea
September 25, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Quinn had a pretty bad O-Line his final year @ ND. Even with this he was able to throw for 3426 yds, 37 TDs, and 7 INTs. That same year the “heisman” winner, Troy Smith, had the trophy gift wrapped to him because he was on a STACKED OSU. I remember another heisman winner in the same situation, undeserving, Eric Crouch. Smith threw for 2542 yds, 30 TDs, and 6 INTs. Quinn was sacked 31 times that season, which shows that he can get hit. The Browns need to go the best player they got. Go with Quinn
By Vic
September 25, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
3 bad in a row is enough. Just ask Tressel. The Browns need to do something different. It can’t be worse with Quinn. Crennel is in panic mode. You can tell by some of the dumb calls that the Browns’ brain trust is lost. After 50 years of rooting for the Browns, I’m fed up with this organization. Start Quinn or be wrong!
By ryan
September 25, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Hey Cade , how is that quinn can bench 225 lbs 22 times , more than most lineman in the combine, gonna get crushed? last time i checked da got knocked out in preseason. The kid can handle him self. DA said himself his confidence is shaken. thats enough for me.pull him and let quinn show you how its done. PUT IN THE KID
By BIGCHOPS
September 25, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
If the bengals come out like they did against the giants they win big but if the d cant stop lewis and harrison they will lose and for the browns receivers well just let edwards do what edwards does best drop balls and winslow will lead the team. I think this will be a good game all the way until the end. SO GO DAWGS!!
By Cade
September 24, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
You gotta start Anderson, Quinn has been overrated since birth and with the o-line and receivers in there now he’ll get nothing but killed. On second thought, put Brady in, it would be nice to see him get stomped in the ground the way LSU did him in his final with the Irish, maybe that will help to end some of the “Brady Quinn is the savior” hype.
By JULES C. C.
September 24, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
NO MATTER WHICH QB BENGALS ARE GOING TO RULE !
By Dan
September 24, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
If DA can not get it going againt the Bungles then DA, Romeo and Savage should all be gone, DA because he sucks, Romeo because he makes such great decisions and Savage because he is responable for both!
By garland
September 24, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Maybe Romeo hasn’t heard about how much success rookie QBs have against the Bengals.Or—-maybe he just thinks the Bengals are just the boost Anderson needs.
By eric cartman3
September 24, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Start BQ. DA and Fat Romeo suck.
By Bob Vorasky
September 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Start Brsdy Quinn! Why have him come in to relieve Anderson when Quinn has to try to catch up to the Bungles after Anderson puts the Browns behind.
By rick
September 24, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Quinn, Anderson was just a fluke.
By ryan
September 24, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Brady quinn should start vs CIN. the nfl has found out DA. Brady can Get this team to the playoffs if he starts now. i watched every game he played in at the college level. the kid has heart. he does not give up . HEY ROMEO PUT IN THE KID
By ryan
September 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Brady quinn should start vs CIN. the nfl has found out DA. Brady can Get this team to the playoffs if he starts now. i watched every game he played in at the college level. the kid has heart. he does not give up . HEY ROMEO PUT IN THE KID
By Guy From Oregon
September 24, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Wow, hang the 5th round draft choice. Anderson was correct when he said 1st rounders play, and often bust. It’s abusiness, and you don’t let the big money sit. Everyone who isn’t an Irish fan knows Quinn just doesn’t have it. Like in previous comments on the Browns, can you say Tim Couch? It seems that Crennel is placing his own wellfare above that of the team and fans. What can you expect from a QB when the OL, receivers, and coaches suck?