Well … Brady Quinn got more time than Charlie Frye …
Now we have Derek Anderson returning to the Browns starting lineup at quarterback. Quinn’s dream lasted 10 quarters, and now it’s in the land of the unknowns.
I wasn’t real thrilled with the way Quinn played, but the more I think the more I wonder if it was him.
It’s hard to buy that Quinn has totally regressed in a year. In two starts last season he threw for more than 420 yards – and scored 59 points. This season he was the ultimate dink and dunk player. Clearly something changed, though Quinn can’t come out and say what it is for fear of being fined for saying the wrong thing. It seems obvious, though, that a conservative head coach and inexperienced and conservative offensive coordinator put so many shackles on Quinn that he didn’t have the chance to function properly.
Judgments are made so quickly in the NFL these days. Derek Anderson was trashed in this town last season after he had thrown 29 touchdown passes the year before. Now he’s back as the starter. Did Anderson lose his ability last season? Hardly. Circumstances did him in, some of which were his play. But had Braylon Edwards caught that deep pass against Baltimore, a ton of things might be different right now.
Has Quinn lost the ability that had everyone celebrating his selection in the first round of the draft, and that put 59 points on the board a year ago? Hardly. He’s also a victim of circumstance, though I believe most of the circumstances that hurt Quinn were not all in his control
The difference between Quinn and Anderson is not as simple as saying Anderson will throw the ball down the field more. Anderson will take chances. Quinn seems most inclined to do what he’s told, and clearly he was told not to take chances, to avoid the mistake. So he played that way, and it didn’t look good.
Quinn did not help himself on the field. But he really was shackled, which didn’t help either. It’s hard to think this won’t affect him. In fact, there’s some thinking it might do so much damage to his psyche and confidence it might ruin him. I’d like to think Quinn is mentally tougher than that – quarterbacks are treated like they’re so dadgum fragile – but this can’t help his confidence.
Will Anderson do another bail-out-the-Browns against Cincinnati? Who knows. The team is different, the defense is still bad and Anderson did throw three picks in the second half against Cincinnati. Too, the morale on this team seems to be subterranean.
It’s really incredible, though. Name the last quarterback to be promoted to the starting job after throwing three interceptions in a half. At this rate, six picks might put him in Canton.
And name the last time there was a protracted and extended quarterback competition that resulted in the winner getting 10 quarters to prove himself. The only thing that makes it not shocking is the Browns did it two years ago after a couple quarters.
And consider the final preseason game when Eric Mangini decided neither Quinn nor Anderson needed to play. Now we have this return to the quarterback shuffle, a shuffle that seems endless in Cleveland.
The more I write and think about this entire thing – the quarterback move, the ramifications, etc. – the more ridiculous it seems.
What a mess there is in Berea.
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To paraphrase, "Its not the quarterbacks, stupid".
I'm starting to give up hope on common sense. If anyone out there thinks who ever the quarterback is would make the difference, you need to take a step back and look – and hope that the offensive line doesn't completely collapse on you in the process.
Rookie offensive coordinator + head games from head coach = your 2009 Browns
I'm sticking with MY new game plan, which is rooting for the Browns to lose every single game, score zero points, and continue being the utter laughingstock of the NFL. That's the only way we'll get the Water Boy Coach out of Cleveland. Lerner must be in love with him, or something. Wonder if he's still foaming at the mouth for Water Boy after these first 3 games?
Go Bengals!
P.T Barnum would be proud.
Pat,
Did we scare you off in your search for a new blog mistress? No new candidates recently…
What will happen Sunday? Will the Indians score more runs or will the Browns score more points? I'm taking the Indians.
Rumor has it that the Dolan's have already signed Mike Sarbaugh, their AA Manager, to a 3 year deal, with a club option for a 4th year, to be the new Manager of the Indians. Shapiro is quoted, "We feel Mike is very sound in what we as an organization want to accomplish, and with his knowledge of our young players, he was a perfect fit to step into the Managerial role." "Just in talking and knowing Mike, I feel he will be dynamic as a Manager."
On another note, Torey Lovullo will be the Bench Coach, as he was also signed to a 3 year deal with a club option for a 4th.
No doubt Pat, this mess goes way beyond who is QB. With a weak front line we have to play 2 Tight ends so one can stay in to block for St.Clare , while the other goes out for a 5 yrd. Pass, which in turn takes away a spot for a receiver. The Browns running game is non-existent, 1 old back with old legs and 2 guys who are unproven.
The play calling has been putrid and predictable, our linebackers are the worst in football and we have no ability to stop a pass or breakaway run.
To use the QB as a scope goat for this mess is like blaming the sinking of the Titanic on the cook back in steerage.
Charlie showed ineptitude over far more than 10 quarters.
Sean, I was thinking about that plan too…however, going 0-16 has lost some of its luster now that the Lions already did it, and because regardless of how high we pick in the draft, we typically misfire and end up with some bust. I'm just hoping that after we go enough time without winning a game or having a meaningful touchdown this season, Mangini will get the boot so he can go enjoy yet another buffet and play his mind games with the restaurant staff instead.
I think the only way the Browns top 0-16 is if its 0-16 and no offensive touchdowns.
I would hope that the players and coaches find the same page and get on it and quit this you-know-what contest. People fought to get this city a franchise and this is how you treat those folks?
Pat I couldn't agree more. I really hope Mangini, Kokinis, or Lerner read these articles. If everyone else is seeing whats going on then why can't they?? Right side of the line is terrible, and our running backs are mediocre at best. Why can't we get someone at OC who changes up the playcalling a bit. I know they have more plays in their book than the twelve they keep running.
0 and 16 would be great
in order to get that extraordinary draft pick…
but what position would you pick?
After the coach I mean
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