Pro Bowl fallout?
By Marla RidenourObservers can only guess what kind of effect Browns quarterback Derek Anderson's poor performance in Sunday's Pro Bowl will have on ongoing contract negotiations.
In the AFC's 42-30 loss, Anderson completed 10 of 26 passes for 103 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for a quarterback rating of 34.6.
Those who had some interest in the soon-to-be restricted free agent surely will notice he had the lowest rating of the six quarterbacks who saw action. Anderson's 34.6 rating also suffered in comparison to those of Peyton Manning (118.5), Ben Roethlisberger (104.8), Matt Hasselbeck (139.8), Jeff Garcia (109.2) and Tony Romo (85.2), who didn't appear to be there just for the sun and fun.
Anderson proved valuable to AFC and San Diego coach Norv Turner in the first half, signalling plays to Manning and Roethlisberger because Turner's Chargers and the Browns run the same offense. But lip-readers could have had a field day in the second half watching Turner's expressions and remarks while Anderson threw behind receivers, even teammates Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow.
Ironically, even Garcia (who lasted just one season in Cleveland when then-coach Butch Davis asked him to run an offense he wasn't suited for) appeared to be on a different level than Anderson. Anderson played the entire second half and with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and facing virtually no defense, he couldn't move his team.
Will the Browns believe one bad Sunday in Hawaii was meaningless, or will it help convince them that Brady Quinn is their quarterback of the future? Will they pull back in their efforts to sign him to a multi-year contract? And perhaps more importantly to Anderson's future, what will the rest of the league think? Will anyone want to give the Browns first- and third-round draft choices if Cleveland offers him the highest tender of $2.562 million later this month? It only takes one team, of course, but that possibility might be a little less likely.
There may be a drought of top-flight quarterbacks in the league. But when Anderson got his chance to step on the field with most of them, he didn't measure up.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
[…] Marla Ridenour wrote a fantastic post today on "Pro Bowl fallout?"Here's ONLY a quick extractWill anyone want to give the Browns first- and third-round draft choices if Cleveland offers him the highest tender of $2.562 million later this month? It only takes one team, of course, but that possibility might be a little less … […]
February 12th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
When was the Pro Bowl?
February 13th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Was he even ready for the game? I know it sounds like a stupid question but not when you know that he wasn't on the list of the three Pro Bowl quarterbacks. The offense was simple enough and the defense wouldn't get anyone very far in a regular game. Someone like Anderson should have sparkled. Maybe it was the sun and the heat.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
DA, had a great year because of great receivers!!!!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:03 am
He looked terrible. I really hope it doesn't scare teams away. I was embarrassed.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Lets look at this realisticaly. AD had a good year for the Browns which saw its freshly developed offensive line prove its value. Was Ad good because of the OL or excellent receivers? Lets evaluate this.
His best completion rate was when he threw down field. Okay that's good, however, it seems that receiving corp made catches that where spectacular. Does that mean the receivers made him look better than he was ? Or does it mean he's an accurate passer? Now for his intermediate to short passing game.
AD regularly threw to high or in the dirt or again the receivers made spectacular catches on his short passing game. Does that mean he has no touch? It has already been established that he had the best pass protection in recent Brown's history. Is that good or bad. Well two of the OL were first alternate to the Pro Bowl,the tight end also was first alternate. So I would say he had great pass and run protection which helped sell the play action pass.
I think all this means is that AD has great potential and really needs a good Quarter Back coach. He did give the Browns an exciting season and deserves the 2.2 plus salary. I also think that if an offer is made the Browns should take it. Does that mean that Brady Quinn is better. Well I saw him play in the preseason and he showed that he is accurate at all depths when passing and oh yeah he does have a touch. He can put it up just over a line backer and drop the ball in between defenders. We saw BQ do that in his only appearance in a regular season game appearance.
Now do the Browns keep DA and the answer is sure because he does have potential. However, if a 1 and 3 draft pick is offered it seems prudent to make the deal.
February 17th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Our worst fears came true. Sure, intelligent fans knew D.A.'s season was a mirage…but now the whole world knows it. Hopefully Phil Savage is smart enough to recognize: THIS IS NOT THE QB YOU WANT TO COMMIT TO, DUDE. He was a flash in the pan, and as others have correctly said, his receivers and line made him look much better than he IS.
Brady Quinn would've been the starter this season if he'd just gotten his butt into camp. Let this be a lesson to youngin's. Dump D.A. for whatever worth he might bring (diminished now, for sure) and get B.Q. into the lineup where he belongs. It's doing him nor the Browns any good keeping this talented NFL icon off the field. Why is this so hard to understand?
February 18th, 2008 at 8:05 am
WE WANT MIKE PHIPPS!!!!! WE WANT PHIPPS! DUH??? TRADE "D.A." TO MIAMI SO THE CAN GO UNDEFETED AGAIN!! (SMACKS OF PAUL WARFIELD DEAL, ANYBODY REMEMBER THAT ONE??). B.B.Q.,B.B.Q. COOKED MEAT. NOter DUmb. R-wine LEAVef….
February 18th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
DA is a back up QB. He didn't show up when it mattered Pitt, Cinci. His accuracy is really sad. I'll take a 1 and a 3 today for him!
February 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
The Pro Bowl is completely useless… Basing any evaluation on a game in which players go half speed and barely hit anyone shows an absolute lack of sense. Get real, people.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Boy, all of the Quinnbots are here…Yeehah…
March 13th, 2008 at 2:11 am
BQ is the future…BQ is the future…Good Luck..