Brady Quinn Scores a Decisive Round 4 Knockout in Browns’ Quarterback Race

Browns Backers: to make clear the outline or form of.     

Browns fans everywhere owe field judge Terry Brown a bottle of wine and a thank you for helping Derek Anderson trip over himself, and he wasn’t even on the field.

In fact, he was too far from the sideline and was flagged 15 yards.

With Quinn’s performance tonight, Anderson may not be on the Browns sideline in the near future.    

Let’s be clear here—Tennessee is not Detroit. And perhaps Anderson’s performance was a fraud, but tonight’s game offically clinched the starting job for Quinn, because he clearly displayed the qualities of an NFL starting quarterback.   

With both quarterbacks in a “dead heat” according to Mangini, both of them needed to play well. Quinn played like, and looked like, a starter against one of the more stout defenses in the league.  

The playcalling was a combination of aggressive and safe with spices of play-action thrown in, and to see a screen pass for the first time since 1993 was priceless. 

Quinn came out strong by marching the Browns down the field after trailing 7-3, and threw the first touchdown by either quarterback since last year. He basically sealed the deal for the starting quarterback spot.

He would go on to finish 8-of-15 with 130 yards passing and one touchdown in his four series. 

Anderson, on his behalf, played fairly well in a likely last-gasp attempt to either become or remain the starter. He took a sack, and he may have seen his last chance to win the competition go down hard like he did. 

Anderson finished 7-of-11 for 77 yards and led the Browns to one field goal on two possessions, including a would-be touchdown reception to wide receiver Braylon Edwards ruled out of bounds.   

In the three preseason games for the Browns, Anderson has completed 15 of 26 passes for 207 yards and two interceptions, while Quinn has completed 21 of 31 passes for 225 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception. 

Quinn threw the first touchdown pass, while Anderson led the first drive to a touchdown.

Tough choice?

Not really when you consider that Anderson still looks like he is trying to force throws into double coverage and is still telegraphing like he is Thomas Edison.

Any more questions about Quinn’s arm strength in my eyes are laid to rest and are now null and void, as he fired some nice passes to wide receivers Michael Furrey, Joshua Cribbs, and even running back Jamal Lewis on a nice 14-yard gallop.

I will even go as far as to say that Daboll will throw in some more agressive stuff in the regular season that will work towards Quinn’s stengths, with some safe high-percentage short to intermediate routes, as well as a some deep vertical strikes.

Yes, Quinn can throw the ball deep. But as Kosar mentioned, he does a nice job of checking down to a safer play, which is what the Browns need.

If tonight’s game was truly a dress rehearsal, then it is safe to say that the Browns have shed their old beaten-up jacket for a sharp Armani suit.

Round 4 goes to Quinn with a knockout.

Now Anderson is done.

Quinn and Anderson Need to Make Closing Statements For QB Job Tonight

Browns Backers,    

statement—” a communication or declaration in speech or writing, setting forth facts, particulars, etc. “   

You cannot help but wonder how Jack McCoy from Law and Order would prosecute the Browns for their handling or mishandling of this quarterback competition drama. Because this is as far from pro bono as it gets. 

But even the renowned district attorney would advise both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn that they must provide a strong closing statement on their behalf as to why they should be the 2009 Cleveland Browns quarterback.

With Cleveland Browns Stadium serving as the courtoom and the fans acting as the deciding jury. It will be up to Eric Mangini to be a decisive and non-partial judge.    

As it stands both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson have not emerged as the front-runner for the gig, and even though the hometown hero, Brady Quinn, with his “intangibles and leadership” has not managed to pull away from the former Pro Bowler fluke gone bad, and all around area outcast, Mr Anderson.   

Tonight’s game will clarify who the starter WILL be, not SHOULD be. 

There is no doubt that Quinn is the overwhelming favorite to be the starter. If there is one thing that Browns Backers can all agree on is that it is Brady’s time NOW!

My major concern if I’m a Quinnbot is the fact that for all of his “leadership and field presence” that have Dawgs drooling over his every move, why has he not already been named the starter over Derek Anderson?   

And for Derek Anderson, he really needs this game just to pull even in the eyes of many Browns fans, for the fact that he will NEVER surpass Brady on even his best day simply for the fact that he is DA which generally means Disaster Area.

As I stated in my last column, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/242237-da-strikes-back-in-round-3-vs-lions-is-anderson-the-man , I mentioned that The Brady Bunch would dismiss DA’s performance vs DET, but what exactly has Quinn done to lock this down? 

Aside from leading some good drives and being a Edwards drop and Fraley penalty away from strengthening his case, not a whole lot, but to both QB’s, Tennessee is not Detroit that is obvious and this game will serve as a excellent test and unbiased litmus as to who will start in two weeks. 

Quinn may be the overwhelming favorite to win, and Anderson may be on death row, but both must present a strong and overwhelming argument to convince the jury. 

Enjoy The Game,

Dawgfather.

 

Anderson, Quinn Have A Lot On The Line For Browns-Lion Showdown

Browns Backers,  

Greetings from Cleveland!

I have come up from Pittsburgh to go see the annual snooze-fest called the Great Lakes Classic. This will be a fight between two downtrodden teams from two depressed Rust Belt cities.

You just have to wonder, which is worse? A team that went winless or a team that has redefined the meaning of offensive?  

When the Browns and Lions square off tonight, both teams will be playing for more than a shot of redemption. Both are coming into tonight’s game trying to find a bona fide leader.

For the Browns, it comes down to Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn. The Lions have to determine whether Matthew Stafford is worthy of the No. 1 pick and being the new face of the once-proud Detroit Lions.

I will have to say that Stafford playing in the toughest conference in college football—the SEC, which should stand for Simply Elite Competition—has more than prepared him for the NFL.

His pocket presence and rocket arm helped his status in the draft. Tonight will be his first-ever NFL start on the road against a team who is struggling to attack the QB, and often treats offenses like they have the swine flu.

I would not be surprised to see Stafford develop into a respectable QB who can help the Lions win some games this year.

The question is whether he can lead them and gain the veterans’ respect.

On the other side of the coin, the Browns are in need of a decision from Mangini as to who will be the starting QB.

While Quinn put up some fair numbers in Green Bay and moved the team down the field, it is never good to leave points on the field.

In the case of Derek Anderson, time is running out for him to stake his claim to being the starter.

If he does indeed start tonight’s game at home, he will need to come out in his 2007 Pro Bowl form, not the 2008 incarnation that had many Browns fans begging and counting down the days to his release.

This preseason game is vitally important for Anderson, and he must play well to keep the Cleveland media and fan pressure off of him for at least another week.

For Brady Quinn and Matthew Stafford, this game could be the prelude to many starts and—for the Browns—hopefully many points and some wins.  

Talk you after the game,
Dawgfather

Browns QB’s Quinn and DA Get Chessecaked By Packers, 17-0

Browns Backers,  

sample – ” a small part of anything or one of a number, intended to show the quality, style, or nature of the whole; specimen.” 

I always thought that remakes are supposed to be better than originals, I guess Hollywood will never do a remake of the 2008 Cleveland Browns that’s for sure. Let’s just hope we don’t get a straight-to DVD 2009 special edition this year.

Before reading this article take a deep breath and step back to remind yourself that this is only a pre-season game. Despite the Browns anemic and otherwise pathetic performance in losing 17-0 to the Green Bay Packers, it is only the first pre-season game right?  

Now that I’ve gotten your attention, let’s take a moment to think about the promises of a “improved defense” and a “new attacking more aggressive pass rush” that we heard all year and even during training camp or even the fact that Quinn had supposedly widened his lead over Anderson to be the 2009 QB and a more competitive team… tonight’s 17-0 defeat didn’t exactly leave a good first impression.  

You have to wonder who is the tortoise and who is the hare in this snail-paced race to be the starting QB of the Cleveland Browns. It is still too close to call even after tonight. While statistically Quinn outperformed Anderson by going 7 for 11 and 68 yards he also threw a INT. You have to wonder why fans aren’t screaming for Brett Ratliff at this juncture. 

To be fair to Quinn he does look to be starting QB material as he did lead the Browns down the field in two series to score only to have them both nullified by a Hank Fraley penalty on a FG and a Anthony Smith INT in the endzone thrown behind WR Braylon Edwards. To not even put up ZERO points against a team that had seven starters out makes you wonder if Quinn will ever establish himself as the starter.  

Derek Anderson looks like he is ready to leave Cleveland and can no longer hide behind the facade of his 2007 Pro Bowl pedigree. He is still shell-shocked from his 2008 performance and you have to wonder if it is the lingering effects of his concussion he received last pre-season vs the Giants or if he has plateaued. If tonight’s game is any further fuel to the fire being lit by “The Brady Bunch” then he is a walking Smores bar at this point.  

While I like Anderson, I can realistically say that he is chartering his own one-way ticket out of Cleveland. With tonight’s putrid performace of 0 for 1 and one INT, it will not be a matter of “if” he will be moved or traded but a matter of “when”. 

The whole team deserves to run laps after tonight’s game as the offense once again resembled a remake of the 2008 season complete with illegal procedures, dumb penalties, and not being to find the endzone with a GPS. Did I forget to mention the invisible pass rush?  

First impressions mean a lot especially if you’re trying to score on a job interview or anything else in life. Tonight, I will have to give Round Two to Quinn. 

Later,

Dawgfather.

Browns’ Quinn Sends a 51-Yard Touchdown Message To his Critics

“Lack of arm strength, dink, dunker and noodle arm.”

All these things can be used to shape a general consensus and unfair slight in public opinion at times.

I guess Brady Quinn heard enough of those insults pointed in his direction.  

At the annual intra-squad Browns training camp game, Quinn completed 12 of 19 passes for 121 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. The main highlight of his day was a 51 yard touchdown pass to Lance Legett.

With such a strong opening performance, you have to believe that Quinn is now the front-runner in the race to start for the Browns.

As for his internal competition, Derek Anderson had a pedestrian performance going 12-for-21 for 107 yards and 1 INT.

If Anderson hopes to change Brown’s fans opinion of him, he needs to play up to his true potential and not throw dumb interceptions and hissy-fits at his teammates.  

That is not going to get it done. 

While the “Brady Bunch” can revel that their Golden Boy threw a ball longer than 13 yards, the pass came in a glorified practice.

Still, it looks like Quinn will start against Minnesota and could give the Browns their best chance of finally having a franchise quarterback.

Quinn could be exactly what the Browns need and according to many observers, is outplaying Anderson so far in training camp.

But, in the words of All-Star point guard Allen Iverson, “Practice man, we’re talking about practice.”

Derek Anderson Feeling Minnesota? Viking QB Sprains MCL

Browns Backers, 

Your wish of seeing Derek Anderson leaving Cleveland could be coming true sooner than you think. According to ESPN, Minnesota Vikings starting QB Tavaris Jackson sprained his MCL in training camp and could miss six to eight weeks. 

The injury occurred when defensive lineman Letroy Guion fell at his feet and rolled over his leg during an 11-on-11 drill. Jackson folded to the field in pain as trainers rushed to check on him. but was able to walk off on his own power. 

This could be a major setback for Minnesota whom many see as a Super Bowl contender with All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor and the “Williams Wall” defensive line and after their failed attempt to land “retired” QB Brett Favre. The Vikings must now make due with journeyman QB Sage Rosenfels, which brings up the possibility of either reinstated QB Michael Vick or Cleveland Browns QB, Derek Anderson landing in the Twin Cities.  

Derek Anderson would be a great fit for the Vikings and their system as he would not be required to try and win a game on his own and can just hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson. He would also have a top-flight reeiver in Bernard Berrian and Florida rookie Percy Harvin to go along with premier TE in Visanthe Shiancoe. 

And this would also clarify the Cleveland QB situation once and for all, Quinn can make the Browns his team without Derek Anderson looming over his shoulder, like Brett Ratliff is ever a threat, seriously?   

Stay tuned.

Dawgfather.

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