Will Lewis, Anderson be back?
By Marla RidenourWhile the Browns could use at least two linebackers and two defensive linemen in the draft and free agency, the focus of the off-season will be the futures of quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis.
Lewis, the ex-Raven, played on a one-year contract that paid him $5 million with incentives and surely will want more in his next deal. Anderson will become a restricted free agent unless the Browns sign him to a long-term contract before the free agency period begins Feb. 29. Even in that instance, he could still be traded.
Anderson went 10-5 as a starter, threw 29 TD passes (one short of Brian Sipe's team record) and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate. But on Monday, Anderson answered with a joke when he was asked if he'd like to come back for the long term.
"You want me back?" he said.
Fans are infatuated with rookie Brady Quinn, even through he played just one series this season and attempted eight passes.
Anderson said he's not surprised Browns backers have been talking about whether he should stay in 2008 for months.
"Everybody's going to try and twist it one way or another," he said. "Whatever it is, hopefully I'm back here. I enjoy the guys in this locker room."
Anderson believes he and Quinn, two young players with bright futures, can coexist. That scenario doesn't seem likely past next season.
"I don't see why not," he said. "Other teams have done it. I don't know how it happens or the whole process of it, I've never been through it. I hope so."
Whatever happens, Anderson will soon become a millionaire. He admitted he was anxious about where he'll end up.
"Of course. I really enjoy my teammates and I love these guys in this locker room," he said. "We've done a lot this season. We were 4-12 last season, a lot of work has been done and I had a lot of fun. Obviously a little disappointed in the way it ended."
Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards, joining Jim Brown as the only Browns' running backs to break 1,300 in a season. In recent weeks, Lewis sounded like he wanted to stay in Cleveland. Presumably he'll be seeking a multi-year deal.
"There's a lot more I can do," Lewis said. "This year I just wanted to prove to myself and to the coaches that brought me in that I can get it done. Next year I want to go over the top and prove I'm one of the best backs in this league."
Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius, 33, said he's coming back for one more season and hopes he'll be joined by Anderson and Lewis.
"They're two of the big reasons we're sitting here with 10 wins and 7-1 at home," Jurevicius said. "Derek is deserving of everything he's going to get. He played strong, was a leader in the huddle, spread the ball around, made plays, was a general on the field."
Jurevicius felt just as strongly about Lewis, who notched his fifth 100-yard game of the season in the finale against San Francisco.
"When you have Jamal Lewis, who rushed for over 9,000 yards in his career and he has another 100-yard game, it shows you what a potent running attack can do," Jurevicius said. "It opens up the pass and vice versa. What's so special about Jamal is he's a leader. He's kind of a quiet warrior, but he's a leader out there. Guys respond to him."
Jurevicius, a Cleveland native, was optimistic that general manager Phil Savage could find a way to retain both.
"I have every reason to believe we'll see them again next year in an orange helmet," Jurevicius said, "and that's going to be a big reason why this city's going to get used to success."
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Uh, hey Joe J…I like ya, bro, but shut your piehole. You catch the passes and let Savage put the team together, 'kay? Signing Jamal is a no-brainer, they'll get it done. My question is, why is there such insane talk about having two potential all-pro QBs co-exist, with one not playing at all, while we have defensive holes up the ying-yang? The tough decisions need to be made, and all the D.A. fans had best get used to it: this is Brady Quinn's team, has been from Draft Day, and will be for the next 15 years. If you're so enfatuated with Mr. Pick, D.A., you can buy the NFL Package and watch his games in Miami. We need to move quickly–NOW, THIS YEAR…NOT AFTER HIS VALUE IS DEFLATED WHEN HE COMES BACK DOWN TO EARTH–to maximize his value and receive the much-needed draft picks to shore up the D. You see what it did for our O-line, don't ya? Let Savage work his magic trading D.A. for D-line help, then watch Quinn take us deep into the playoffs next season, if not the Super Bowl. And rest assured, every sports show and fan in America will be transfixed on the nation's "new favorite team"…because, yes, we do love Brady Quinn and his stunningly talented teammates.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I'm wondering if Jeff F. and others will admit a mistake if Anderson leaves and Quinn bombs. Had Quinn had the exact same year Anderson just had, the town would be doing cartwheels.
Take the "we" out and say I. Maybe Quinn will be good and maybe he will not. How great has Eli been? Do you realize if New England had been in this same situation when Tom Brady was starting for the first time, as a 6th round draft pick, and had Quinn as a number 1 pick behind him, people like Jeff would have been screaming for Quinn to get in? Think about it.
I say Anderson starts next year and we see where we go from there. He will most likely make some improvements by then with a season under his belt.
Oh, by the way, for all blaming the Cincy lost on Anderson. Had he not played the way he did in the first Cincy game - the 2nd would have meant nothing.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I think Jeff F. should shut his pie hole (Jeff you need to come up with a new term - pie hole is worn out). Joe J. is a smart guy & a terrific football player. I would also like to see the Browns keep both QBs. If one gets injured, what would we do? And what would happen to the season?
Anderson proved himself this year. I like Quinn's potential, but he hasn't proven anything yet.
We all know the defense needs help. Savage can work his magic another way other than trading a proven QB.
January 4th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I'm in total agreement with Jeff F. DA is mediocre at best. The only decent team he beat was Seattle. He progressively got worse the final 5 games of the season. He crapped down his leg in the two games where we needed to win; game #2 vs. Pittsburgh & game #2 vs. Cincy. At even the slightest hint of pressure he folded. However, NO GM in his right mind is gonna give a 1st & 3rd for this turkey. He's Scott Mitchell for a new generation. If anybody is dumb enough to take him, you deal him. Period.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
agrees with both jeffs—to an extent–it IS quinns team and the only time to trade DA is now—there is no way he is signed to a long term deal so he is free after next year with nothing. blick just compared anderson to brady because both wre 6th round picks, a patently ridiculous point of referral that bears little sense. i grant that DA was so much better this year than what we have endured in the past, i.e. charlie frye, and that he was a big plus and we all appreciate him–but quinn seems quite capable of making DA look like frye–did you see what happened to notre dame without quinn? huh. go figure. a winner, a consummate leader and competitor–i'm not sure DA has those abilities and it is time for him to go while we still have many holes to plug. just my opinion.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Can't we all just get along? Thank the football gods that the people who have written these comments are not in charge of making the decisions. We as Brown's fans had a great season this year. I am looking forward to next, so let the people in charge do there thing, and get us into the playoffs next year. Go Browns
January 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
We trade the Walrus aka Romeo Crennel and D.A. to Miami for Jason Taylor, Joey Porter and Bill Parcels. Then we will win a Super Bowl.
January 5th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Anderson is young and far exceeded everyone’s expectations. Do we trade him for needed players or not? The answer is simple, wait and see if there are any offers while exploring our options (eg. signing him to a long term deal).
Ideally, we sign him to a trade-friendly long-term contract and keep him for another year. Let the two QBs fight it out in pre-season and then go with the hotter hand. If we are not blown away by any trade offers after this year, I doubt there would be much value lost after next season. It's not very often that you get the chance to have two QBs with their skills.
January 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
anderson is a nice guy. wish him the best. just dont see the competive fire burning. watch a replay of Gasteneu's blind side hit on Kosar in the '86 Jets playoff game. Bernie said he could not breathe the next two plays and was spitting up blood, but no way he was leaving the field. He said he felt He would be letting the city down. Trade Anderson for defense, plug the 1st rounder Quinn in and let's try that Cincy team again!!!! pittsburg SUCKS
January 6th, 2008 at 9:52 am
No knee-jerk moves. Go about the business of a high-tender to Anderson (he earned 2.562 mil for his alterate pro-bowl season) and let teams come calling. If you get a first and third, then you measure the draft and decide if the defense can improve by dealing Anderson. Just let it happen. BQ might be another John Elway. Anderson another Tom Brady. Is it that bad having both for now?
January 6th, 2008 at 11:18 am
a long tern deal with DA is not gonna happen, get over it–scott has it right on—the fire with anderson is debatable but no one doubts that in quinn. one of em has to go, no more QB controversies and there will be a big one next year if we dont trade DA—and we see how well romeo handles that—lmbo. we all appreciate what DA did this year but it is time for him to go while his value is high—this is quinns team, try not to forget that—you dont draft a player #1 to have him carry a clipboard or to trade him before he even plays.
January 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I agree with Jeff. Time to trade DA while he's hot. He played like crap in the most important game of the year, and its funny that even Browns fans don't realize what happen this year. Of ALL the fans in the NFL, browns fans should know, it was the defensive line that made the QB this year. Its absolutely amazing to me that you all don't even mention this. Its Joe Thomas mainly, Derek Anderson couldn' even throw a pass last year. Jeff Garcia is a good QB, he could have done the same with the weapons. and TIME TO THROW. Its all about the o-line fellas, I like DA but we need some help on defense.
January 6th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Funny how quickly certain Browns fans are swayed with the wind. Have you forgotten?—the plan was to let our franchise guy, Brady Quinn, observe for 6 or 8 games, then become the longterm superstar we all know he'll be (despite the few naysayers who are just to stubborn to face facts). "He hasn't proven anything," they cry and whine! Well, duh…the coach wouldn't put him on the friggin field!
We're all thrilled that D.A. looked like Unitas, compared with Charile Fried. But he was a temp fill-in. His duty is over now, and we should all be thrilled that we can receive actual VALUE in return, which sure wouldn't have happened in pre-season when he…uh "hadn't proven anything." Remember??
Now wise up, eat the pie, kill your mumbler D.A. goodbye, and get ready for BRADY TIME!!
January 9th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
So ol' Phil Savage comes out and publicly declares who "his" starter will be in '08, huh? I've now lost all respect for him, and only wish that Anderson falls flat on his face and leaves Phil-boy with zero trade value. How could a guy get so caught up in the "Derek Hype" that he fails to see how trading him could put the Browns over the hump in areas they now lack? Isn't that the GM's job? Savage failed all of Cleveland today, and has certainly continued smacking his #1 draft pick, Brady Quinn, square across the face, along with his legions of fans here in NE Ohio and across the country.
Savage, you are a complete sell-out.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
First,shore up the defense,someway,somehow.Give up an "09"
pick for "08'?That"s a possibility.
Gotta give D.A. a chance to prove he was not just a 1yr.wonder. If he does not produce then ease Quinn into the mix,about the only thing you can do. We"ll have to just sit back
and watch and wait.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
It amazes me to see how many people think drafting a franchise QB is as easy as pie. You know- get the ones that had good college careers- and just sit back and enjoy as they tear apart the most talented and sophisticated defenses in football. Except when you consider that many current pro QB's were not first round picks and the best of all is a 6th rounder. Not saying BQ can't be the real deal, but I don't know how ya'll can dismiss what DA did this year when BQ has nothing but that scary word 'potential' currently hanging around his kneck. I think there is about 5 QB's a year that fall into that category , only to well, Fall
January 14th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Yeah, so many people are quick to throw out DA for anything (or nothing) and crown Quinn the starter. Savage has not said that there is no way he trades Anderson. He named a starter because at this point, based on what we have seen in NFL regular season games Anderson is our better QB.
I can't believe how many of you are so quick to pass judgement on Savage and declare his statements to be stupid or call him a sell-out. Just more fans who think they know better how to run a football team than those that are paid to do it.
As for JJ, I'll still take his remarks as having more merit than most of the fans opinions. He's actually played the game, and seen a lot in his years. Plus he is in all the practices and locker room to make some determination of what these guys are capable of.
To all of those that think Quinn is the next Manning or Brady, remember Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith and a hord of other first round QBs that ended up being busts.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Ok, here it is, Anderson did lose the biggest game of the year, on his shoulders, do you realize how many times this year a reciever bailed him out, look at the first cincy game, the td to edwards where he made the diving catch, all he had to do was lay it up there, how many times did our recievers about get their head takin off because he set them up, Quinn is our future not DA. Look at P manning, he never gets hurt b/c his offensive line protects him, our line will be just as good next year, if not as it was this year, brady would pick teams apart with that time!!!!!!!!!!
January 16th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Phil is in a tossup right now and does not know what to do. Lewis will be back that's no question but about two good qb's I don't know. Quinn makes to much just to be sitting on the sidelines and Anderson is to good just to let him go. I think Anderson will get traded to the Dolphins , Jets, Falcons,Lions, or even the Packers if Favre does not return next year. In return the Browns will be asking for a defensive player someone who has instant impact in the defense not someone who it will take 2-3yrs to developed.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:41 am
After reading 17 of the 19 responses, Josh W. touches briefly on the real issue. The amazing catches made by Braylon, Kellen, and Joe are what won games! They are the reason DA looked like a great QB. Take away just two of the amazing catches by each of these guys and we would have been 7 and 9. (or worse). The year was filled with highlights and I cannot think of one where it was a perfectly thrown ball that DA threw. A GREAT line, great receivers, great running back, made a decent QB look great. We deserve to see if Brady can be great too.
January 17th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I think Phil knows EXACTLY what he's doing. Sit on your plethora of QB depth (we have 2 good ones, and half the league has 0) and wait for some unwitting team to overpay for him (with a 1st and 3rd rounder, perhaps even a top 10?). Imagine picking up a star running back AND fixing the defense all in one season. I get chills.
If the above scenario doesnt happen, sign DA to a respectable but not ludicrous 2 year deal and let him defend his starting job this summer, which wont be easy with the kid breathing down his neck. It's win-freakin-win baby!
The D needs significant upgrades, especially up front, and Phil knows it. Vernon Gholston opposite Kamerion Wimbley would be something to see!!!
January 20th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I think that Jeff F. Should also shut his big mouth. How can you say that the Browns don't need two quarterbacks. It's not up to you, it's up to Phil Savage and I totally agree with Joe Jerevicous that we want to see Derek and Jamal in orange helmets no matter what happens next year. We can fill the holes as he calls them in the defense. The defense had improved quite a bit the last three games and it's only going to get better. We don't need to draft linebackers and defensive lineman to have a good team next year. The guys we have this year are going to have one more year experience and they're going to get better. Definitely sign Derek Anderson to a long-term contract and Brady Quinn will be happy when his time comes.
January 20th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
How can anyone say that Derek Anderson is mediocre at best? He made the Pro bowl as an alternate and also was one touchdown short of the all-time touchdowns thrown by a Brown. That's not mediocre. That's awesome. Brady Quinn will have his day in the sun but it might not be in Cleveland. To say that it's been his team since draft day is a joke. He might end up being the Browns franchise quarterback of the future but right now he is totally untested. Derek Anderson surpassed everyone's expectations, has a quick release, is very tall, has a great arm, very cool under pressure, and very smart. Brady Quinn might be great and he might not but no one wants to gamble on whether or not he's got what it takes or they probably would have drafted him a lot higher.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
If I remember right the Browns in 1970 drafted Mike Phipps,
traded premier wr to get him and it turned out a big bust.
As I see it, what big game did BQ win at ND? 0 and 4 in
bowl games, just a thought
January 27th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Josh W. said that the Browns receivers bailed Derek Anderson out by making fantastic catches, I think it was the other way around. Anderson threw some great passes that were dropped almost every game by our best receivers. Everybody that is jumping on the Brady Quinn wagon and thinks that he's the next Joe Montana could be right but do we really want to take that gamble? They need to sign Derek Anderson to a long-term deal and definitely keep him. It won't hurt Brady Quinn to watch for, (possibly) another season and it sure won't break the bank to have two outstanding quarterbacks. Quinn is untested but Derek Anderson surpassed everyone's expectations by being a leader and utilizing all of our receivers. Also, think of all the teams, (21?)that passed on Brady Quinn on draft day, including Miami, and they needed a quarterback. What was the reasoning behind that? Please stay with Derek Anderson. Go Browns!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I hope Anderson goes ro another team in the division and puts
the Browns away. Go Derek Anderson
February 1st, 2008 at 3:20 am
I sure wish everyone would take a step back and ENJOY what a great position the Browns are in. At the start of the season we were the consensus choice of the national media of having the worst QB situation in the NFL. Now when more than half the league has no one at QB it is a strong spot for us. We need to sign DA long term.
The one year deal means EITHER we lose him and get nothing next year if he has another solid year OR we are forced to take the draft picks this year and he goes elsewhere. Taking the draft picks leaves us with a high price defensive player with "potential" and the need to sign another high priced QB who is average at best to be our backup. Those two players will take up most of the money we have for free agency. The sum result is that we now have "potential" on the D-Line and the same at QB. With that potential comes the possibility that they could flop. Typically about half of 1st round picks are failures. So on average we could count on only one of them to work out.
Signing DA long term means that we are almost assured of having at least one solid QB between him and Quinn. That defensive player can come from Free Agency or from Phil's magic with the draft. The long term contract means that no matter what DA does next year he or Brady will some trade value after next year depending on how things play out. Phil has built a solid team brick by brick over three years. I don't see him jeopardizing that (plus his job) by betting the farm on an unproven BQ and a very high priced D-Lineman from LSU that has been injured almost as much as Courtney Brown…no matter how much of a man crush so many fans have on BQ.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Do any of you Quinn lovers remember the 2004 Insight Bowl?
Notre Dame vs Oregon State, Anderson vs Quinn
Check out the score, but most of all, check the passing stats.