Do you realize that after Tom Brady, the NFL's leader in touchdown passes right now is Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns? How is this possible? How is a guy who couldn't beat out Charlie freakin' Frye for the starting quarterback job in training camp playing so well now that the games count for real?And more importantly, what on earth is going on with Brady Quinn, the guy the Browns traded up to draft in this year's first round, the guy who's supposed to be the Browns' quarterback of the future? Not only can the Browns not possibly justify pulling Anderson to give Quinn some playing time, but they also can't -- unless Anderson collapses over the second half of the season -- possibly justify having Anderson enter 2008 as anything other than the starter.
So what's going to happen with Quinn? When will he play? My best guess is that the Browns will give Quinn a little bit of playing time in December (although they're better than anyone thought they'd be, I expect them to be mathematically eliminated by about Week 15) and that Quinn will get every opportunity to earn the starting job next August.
That's a little unfair to Anderson, though. He's the league's most pleasant surprise this year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-29-2007 @ 11:32AM
Jon said...
Browns with a wild card.
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10-29-2007 @ 3:19PM
Fred fields said...
Browns 11-5 Wild Card
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10-29-2007 @ 4:08PM
Desides said...
Derek Anderson's a free agent in '08, and with the gaping holes at QB at quite a few teams, Anderson will leave for a huge pile of money, and Brady Quinn will start in 2008.
However, I bet the Browns are kicking themselves for mortgaging their 2008 first-round pick for a player it turns out they didn't even need.
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10-29-2007 @ 5:07PM
Justin said...
If they at least win ten games, they should let him play. But as of right now, Anderson gives them the best chance of winning.
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10-29-2007 @ 7:25PM
MJ said...
What happens if the Browns let Anderson go to free agency and Quinn comes in and becomes a bust?
Pretty dangerous giving up a quarterback that you KNOW is good for one that you THINK will be good.
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10-29-2007 @ 11:05PM
Desides said...
If Quinn is a bust, then Phil Savage gets lynched for screwing up not one, but two first-round picks on one player.
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10-30-2007 @ 3:07AM
Rick said...
Anderson is for real. The Browns need to unload Quinn while he still has some market value.
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10-30-2007 @ 5:15PM
steve said...
Why not keep them both? They got Brady Quinn for a (relatively) cheap first round contract and DA is probably making the league minimum. They're going to let the season play out and see where it gets. They have 3 tough games ahead of them and then the rest of the season should be cake. Either way, they're in perfect condition. If "Good Derek" wins out, then that means that they gave up hardly nothing for Quinn because they'll get a late pick. If "Bad Derek" shows up, that means that they needed Quinn because Anderson is a flash in the pan. It's a great problem to have!
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11-08-2007 @ 8:43PM
Elsquare said...
Is it too late to comment on this article? Withe ten days or so of hinsight, it appears Derek Anderson can di rhw job. I think this Anderson/Brady competition jusr might come down to "team chemistry", and on-field and off-field maturity. if one or the other is involved in some sort of unsavory episode, legal or otherwise, that individual might find himself on the tradmg block befpre trammg campp, 2008 Grownups are needed at leadership positions such as quarterback.
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