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Browns burning question: Who will start at QB?
What do the Democrats, Republicans and the Browns all have in common? They all have shaky three-way races for a potential leader. But while the Clinton-Obama-Edwards and Giuliani-Romney-McCain triangles have next year to play out, Cleveland's football-loving constituency wants to know who'll get the nod at quarterback this fall.
What was expected to be a battle between 2007 first-round pick Brady Quinn and 2005 third-round pick Charlie Frye has a surprise sudden frontrunner after minicamp: Derek Anderson, who started three of the team's final four games last season. And his minicamp performance makes him the favorite to start the team's first game of this season.
So what's so special about Anderson, who went 0-3 with 7 INTs and only 3 TDs in his three career starts? A part of it comes from the way he played in relief against Kansas City in Week 13, showing great moxie with both his arm and his legs in leading the Browns to a home overtime victory. He also showed a good deep connection with go-to receiver Braylon Edwards, and being 6-6, 229 doesn't hurt the third-year QB, either.
Of course, a bigger part of it is the fact that Frye hasn't been very impressive in practices and Quinn is a rookie trying to learn his first NFL offense. Both looked out of sync in minicamp, setting the tone with early interceptions.
Frye is confident about his passing talents, but his inability to back them up on the field prompted the Browns to target and draft Quinn.
Quinn comes in with a big college name, Notre Dame pedigree and local flavor as a native of Dublin, Ohio. He also comes recommended by Browns coach Romeo Crennel's former Patriots colleague Charlie Weis, Quinn's coach at Notre Dame. For a hungry fan base looking for hope, Quinn represents just that. But it will be a while before he's ready to deliver.
Considering Frye's practice history and Quinn's potential for an extended holdout, Anderson is the best bet to come out of training camp on top of the depth chart. Browns fans, however, shouldn't read too much into who starts in Week 1. The team's chances of contending for the playoffs this season are microscopic -- that's the reality of playing in a tough AFC North with Baltimore, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Because of that, sticking with one quarterback doesn't make sense. In a season where they aren't going anywhere, the Browns need to, at some point, evaluate both Frye and Quinn with '08 in mind. Quinn has time on his side and will be the bigger investment, likely making Frye the odd man out beyond '07.
Quinn won't -- and shouldn't -- start right away, but as the losses mount and when the team can only look ahead, he will -- and should -- play. It would be one thing if either Anderson or Frye were a seasoned veteran such as former Brown Trent Dilfer. But when there's no mentor for Quinn to learn behind, he is better off learning on the job.
Browns fans should focus on who finishes the season as the starter, because it's a lot more important than who "wins" the job out of camp. If things go right, Quinn will play for keeps in the second half of the season and make sure the team doesn't have a burning quarterback question next summer.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=226071
What do the Democrats, Republicans and the Browns all have in common? They all have shaky three-way races for a potential leader. But while the Clinton-Obama-Edwards and Giuliani-Romney-McCain triangles have next year to play out, Cleveland's football-loving constituency wants to know who'll get the nod at quarterback this fall.
What was expected to be a battle between 2007 first-round pick Brady Quinn and 2005 third-round pick Charlie Frye has a surprise sudden frontrunner after minicamp: Derek Anderson, who started three of the team's final four games last season. And his minicamp performance makes him the favorite to start the team's first game of this season.
So what's so special about Anderson, who went 0-3 with 7 INTs and only 3 TDs in his three career starts? A part of it comes from the way he played in relief against Kansas City in Week 13, showing great moxie with both his arm and his legs in leading the Browns to a home overtime victory. He also showed a good deep connection with go-to receiver Braylon Edwards, and being 6-6, 229 doesn't hurt the third-year QB, either.
Of course, a bigger part of it is the fact that Frye hasn't been very impressive in practices and Quinn is a rookie trying to learn his first NFL offense. Both looked out of sync in minicamp, setting the tone with early interceptions.
Frye is confident about his passing talents, but his inability to back them up on the field prompted the Browns to target and draft Quinn.
Quinn comes in with a big college name, Notre Dame pedigree and local flavor as a native of Dublin, Ohio. He also comes recommended by Browns coach Romeo Crennel's former Patriots colleague Charlie Weis, Quinn's coach at Notre Dame. For a hungry fan base looking for hope, Quinn represents just that. But it will be a while before he's ready to deliver.
Considering Frye's practice history and Quinn's potential for an extended holdout, Anderson is the best bet to come out of training camp on top of the depth chart. Browns fans, however, shouldn't read too much into who starts in Week 1. The team's chances of contending for the playoffs this season are microscopic -- that's the reality of playing in a tough AFC North with Baltimore, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Because of that, sticking with one quarterback doesn't make sense. In a season where they aren't going anywhere, the Browns need to, at some point, evaluate both Frye and Quinn with '08 in mind. Quinn has time on his side and will be the bigger investment, likely making Frye the odd man out beyond '07.
Quinn won't -- and shouldn't -- start right away, but as the losses mount and when the team can only look ahead, he will -- and should -- play. It would be one thing if either Anderson or Frye were a seasoned veteran such as former Brown Trent Dilfer. But when there's no mentor for Quinn to learn behind, he is better off learning on the job.
Browns fans should focus on who finishes the season as the starter, because it's a lot more important than who "wins" the job out of camp. If things go right, Quinn will play for keeps in the second half of the season and make sure the team doesn't have a burning quarterback question next summer.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=226071
... Definitely will be Clinton or Obama for the Dems and Gulliani or Thompson for the republicans... McCaine will drop out soon and Edwards is a walking punchline.As for the Browns I would like to see Charlie Frye start AND finish the season. I thought Frye has been pretty good for his experience and supporting cast. I think it was foolish for the Browns to trade to get him, they gave up too much. As for how Frye looks in practice... We talkin' bout practice?! LOL... Jeff Garcia always looks bad in practice...
