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Browns' Edwards, Quinn appear to be going down different paths
Saturday, June 14, 2008
BY Steve Doerschuk
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER




BEREA Two of the Browns big names ushered out minicamp Thursday with state-of-their-stardom interviews.

Braylon Edwards had a little more to sink his teeth into than Brady Quinn.

"B-17," Edwards, is sure to be one of the bombers in the Browns' imposing offensive arsenal.

The original Browns opened shop in 1946.

Edwards' 80-catch, 1,289-yard, 16-touchdown, Pro Bowl 2007 arguably is the greatest wide receiver year any Brown has posted.

After carrying himself like a major player throughout the three-day minicamp, Edwards issued this state-of-the-star report:

"I'm beginning to get this NFL game. I'm still young. There's a lot I can achieve, another level I can get to.

"As you get older, you get more confidence. It's just like in college. You start out one way. You develop. You get older. Then you take over. That's what I'm doing."

You may wonder how Edwards, 25, feels about a season under coordinator Rob Chudzinski after two that began under Mo Carthon.

"Chud's a heck of an offensive coordinator," Edwards said. "I mean, he just understands matchups, how to get the playmakers involved."

You must know Edwards is OK with the steady roster tweaks that followed his arrival as a No. 3 overall pick in 2005.

"I have the confidence in my players now," he said. "I believe they can get me the ball. I believe they want to get me the ball.

"Before, I didn't know what was going on. I was young and frustrated and things happened."

Chudzinski did all right managing the big egos of Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. last year. Now he has another former Round 1 pick on his hands, strong-willed Donté Stallworth.

"He's fast, sure-handed. He can go over the middle. He understands the game," Edwards, No. 17, said of Stallworth, No. 18. "We actually were friends way before he came here.

"He and I think alike. On that field, we're talking. We'll probably be on the same page."

Edwards, Winslow and Stallworth catching passes from Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson ...

"It's a system kind of like (Edwards paused a split second before the sharp punchline) the Colts."

Then there's the colt, "B-10," Quinn, the 23-year-old quarterback in waiting.

His interview wasn't nearly as open as Edwards'. It was a say-the-right-thing exercise.

Probably, he would given back a million if the team told him he could start right now. Yet, if you ask him whether he's gunning to be the No. 1 QB yesterday rather than tomorrow, he says:

"If I'm not preparing that way, I'm doing our team an injustice."

Quinn did let his guard down a little.

"I'm looking forward to whatever reps I get," he said. "I'm certainly looking forward to more than last regular season."

He didn't get in a real game as a rookie until the last game. He played 10 snaps against San Francisco.

More of the good-soldier stuff:

"I'm a team player. I want what's best for the team. I want to win a Super Bowl. If Derek is that guy leading us, that's fine. I'd like to be that guy. I think Ken Dorsey would like to be that guy."

Hey, Tim Couch would like to be that guy.

The observant read is that Quinn is convinced he can be that guy now.

"You've been watching minicamp," he said. "You tell me how you think I did."

This probably is worth betting on, if you can hire a certified mind-reader to verify: Quinn thinks he did all right.

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

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This didn't say anything that I don't think most on here didn't already know, and it probably coulda tagged on to another thread......but of course now that mini-camp is over what are we gonna talk about?

Anderson and Quinn......of course.

Most popular QB is the backup
Jeff Schudel, JSchudel@News-Herald.com
06/13/2008


Fan favorite Quinn knows he won't be able to wrestle QB job from Derek Anderson

Only in Cleveland can the quarterback who threw 29 touchdown passes last year be the second choice to the quarterback who completed only three passes all season.

Brady Quinn fans will be happy to know their hero will go to Browns training camp next month planning to compete with Derek Anderson for the starting job.

General Manager Phil Savage and Coach Romeo Crennel have made it clear Anderson is the starting quarterback. As opposed to last year, when the job was a duel between Anderson and Charlie Frye - a duel Frye was winning until the middle of the second quarter of the first game.

Quinn is fine with that. The way work was divided in the three-day minicamp that concluded Thursday left no doubt what the pecking order will be when camp starts on July 23.

Still, Quinn, without rocking the boat, is not approaching training camp like a guy resigned to being second string.

"That has to be my mindset going in regardless what people may say because if I'm not preparing that way I'm doing our team an injustice," Quinn said after practice Thursday. "If he was to go down on the first play of the season, I have to be ready to take the reins and go from there."

Quinn threw much better in this minicamp than he did a year ago. The entire offense looks better because it has been in the same scheme for more than a year, but Quinn particularly looks improved. He connected on a sideline throw to Travis Wilson and flicked a pass to Jerome Harrison that went for a touchdown on the final play of minicamp.

Anderson also threw the ball well. He looked more at ease than he did last spring. There is more structure to practice with him working as the starter and Quinn as the backup.

On Thursday, Anderson had the benefit of passing to Donte Stallworth as well as Braylon Edwards. Stallworth missed the first two days of minicamp because of a death in the family.

"I want what's best for this team," Quinn said. "I want to win a Super Bowl. If Derek is the guy leading us there, that's fine. Obviously I'd like to be that guy. Ken Dorsey would love to be that guy. Any quarterback would. In the position we're in now, we're going to push each other and compete. It will make us both better in the long run."

Quinn missed 11 days of training and 17 practices in a contract holdout last summer. The holdout took him out of contention for the starting job. Because Anderson won 10 games and threw 29 touchdown passes last season,
Crennel would look silly if he said there would be open competition this year.
With the order set, Anderson will get the majority of practice time in training camp. Quinn will have to make his mark in preseason games. However it shakes out, he says he is better than a year ago.

"Your first year, there are so many changes not only on the football field but in your life," said Quinn, a first-round draft choice from Notre Dame last year. "You're not able to simplify things. Now, a year later, football is your main focus and you're not worrying about other things. It's so hard to put into words, but it makes a world of difference."

Quinn did not play last season until the last series of the first half of the final game. He completed three of eight passes and led the Browns to a field goal.

Red-eye man

This was a difficult week for wide receiver Donte Stallworth. He suffered a death in his family and was excused from the first two days of minicamp to attend the funeral in California. He was back at practice Thursday morning. There was no afternoon practice.

"He went to the funeral and gave his condolences to the family," Crennel said. "Then he caught the red-eye and got in at 6:30 this morning. That shows a little bit about him."

Cornerback Brandon McDonald missed all three days because of a death in the family. His absence from the entire minicamp was excused.

Vacation time

This is the slowest time of the year for the NFL. The veteran Browns are off until training camp begins July 23.

The rookies will stay around the Browns' facility for the next two weeks and then they will be able to get away from football for a while.

Even the coaches get a vacation until they report back to Berea in early July.


Harrison's turn

One of the more improved players in minicamp seemed to be third-year running back Jerome Harrison. Harrison has always had speed, but he does not seem able to convert it to skill in games.

"Jerome has a unique set of skills with his quickness and pass catching abilities," Crennel said. "I was talking to Jerome about what he needed to do to get on the field. I think he needs to improve his special teams play.

"When you start looking at numbers, and how many you can take into the game and who is going to contribute, last year he got caught on the short end of the stick."

Harrison carried the ball 23 times for 142 yards and caught two passes for 29 yards last season. He did not score a touchdown.

"Anderson also threw the ball well. He looked more at ease than he did last spring."

Finally, the first positive things I have seen written about our Starting QB. Hope this guy had a birds eye view witnessing this and writing it as so.

JMHO

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Fan favorite Quinn knows he won't be able to wrestle QB job from Derek Anderson

Only in Cleveland can the quarterback who threw 29 touchdown passes last year be the second choice to the quarterback who completed only three passes all season.
Brady Quinn fans will be happy to know their hero will go to Browns training camp next month planning to compete with Derek Anderson for the starting job.
General Manager Phil Savage and Coach Romeo Crennel have made it clear Anderson is the starting quarterback.

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And what if Anderson plays this preseason like he did last preseason? And Quinn outplays him with the backups like he did last year?

After last year, I thought Anderson was getting cut. I was surprised it was Dorsey.

Savage will probably hold firm, but if it happens again this preseason, you better believe the boo-birds will be out, followed by the chants of "Brady! Brady!"

I just don't want them holding so firm in their beliefs that it will backfire if DA falls on his face in September.

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Only in Cleveland can the quarterback who threw 29 touchdown passes last year be the second choice to the quarterback who completed only three passes all season.

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The reason for that feeling among some fans is simple....We have faith in Phil Savage's ability as a GM and we assume that when he gave up our # 22 pick in the Draft that he knew what he was doing....Most probably also believe that , IF Anderson also is a Good QB that Phil Savage will find a way to recoup that # 22 pick ....

Man, that's funny. Didn't even get to your post before preparing to hit the reply for that one.

Harrison has done nothing but prove himself on the field. He's a high speed guy who runs well inbetween the tackles. Shifty, fast, hasn't fumbled yet......

He hasn't had many opportunities because we try to get Vickers short yardage and sneak attack carries, Wright his carries, and the large amount of carries that Jamal requires. Given that we're so good at our passing attack, we only have so many carries we can give out. This only leaves Jerome a small amount of opportunities that he will recieve a game, and with a crowded backfield, no spot on the gameday roster.

I think as a runner Jerome is better than Wright, but Wright is pretty good himself in his role, and he keeps the spot because he pass blocks exceptionally well in the RB position. This is often important for third and longs.


If given oppoprtunities, Jerome could show that he can be very productive. He's not a full-time option, but is electrifying when he gets opportunities. I'd like to see him get at least 5 carries a game.

This reporter is wrong on that one.

kind of off topic, but....

I really think that we should keep the 3 RB's we have for a few years, atleast until a good back falls to us in the draft (i.e. Steelers and Mendenhall).

No need to let one of them go hoping for a guy we bring in to just step it up. Wright & Harrison do their jobs when they get the opportunity. If we bring anyone else in here, it needs to be a true star.

I am happier with this pair. DA has some showing to do, and some of that is between his ears, not his arm. Mental toughness and less trough. WHen he is bad he is a real crippler. If I do not see it, I want to see what BQ has, see him game. Because I hate the unknown. Time for a return on our investment or at least to check him out aggressively. JMO. I am happy with where we are at.

Training camp should be interesting.

If Quinn is kicking Anderson's ass...Quinn should start.

Experience matter the most though.... See Charlie Frye 2007.

Interesting article from the Dayton newspaper.....(it's just minicamp, but it's something to read until the start of camp when we all get to watch).

QB questions brewing?


Maybe QB issues after all
By Sean McClelland

Staff Writer

Friday, June 13, 2008

BEREA — There's no quarterback competition or controversy this year, right? But that doesn't mean Brady Quinn can't continue to excel.

And that's exactly what Quinn did in minicamp this week, outperforming incumbent Derek Anderson, for whatever it's worth.

Quinn, last year's first-round draft pick from Notre Dame, a player the Browns moved mountains to obtain, put the ball on the money, dodged mythical pass rushers and capped a productive three days Thursday, June 12, with a short touchdown pass to running back Jerome Harrison.

"(Starting) has to be my mindset going in, regardless of what people say," Quinn said, "just because if I'm not preparing that way, I'm doing our team an injustice. You've got to be ready. So that's how I'm preparing myself, regardless of how things may appear or what I'm told."

Anderson, who threw 29 TD passes last season as the Browns set records under first-year offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, often seemed frustrated this week, at times firing the ball into the sideline in disgust when things broke down.

The Browns are committed to Anderson. They gave him a three-year contract. But what happens if Quinn plays better in training camp and exhibition games and the fans start campaigning for him?

It's the unspoken question hovering over the entire operation as the Browns go their separate ways until training camp begins July 23.

Ready for prime time?

Receiver Joe Jurevicius (knee surgery, staph infection) made news this week by saying he expects to be ready for training camp. What he struggles to understand is why the Browns are playing five games in prime time this season, including three Monday-nighters.

"It's great for the city, but as a player it's something we're going to have to deal with," Jurevicius said. "You lose an extra day. It gives you an extra day to prepare, but it takes away the normalcy of a work week. One Monday night game I think is fine, but three? And a Sunday night and a Thursday night? It can be managed, but it's definitely difficult."

End zones

• Donte Stallworth didn't show the Browns much on the field this week, but they learned something about their new receiver's commitment when he flew back from California — where he was attending a funeral — and arrived in time for practice Thursday morning. Nobody would have expected him to make such an effort under the circumstances.

• Rex Hadnot, the starter at right guard at least until Ryan Tucker (hip surgery) returns, has impressed. "He's done a pretty good job," head coach Romeo Crennel said. "I think we like what we see there."


Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.

why not the last (fourth) preseason game?

Because they'll pull the first units out after a series or two.

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I hate the fact that the FO is putting DA out there as the starter, and basically making it sound as Quinn has no shot. DA should be the starter, but Quinn should be given his fair chance to make it.

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He will have a fair chance to make it. I don't give a fat baby's ass what has been reported as gospel out of Berea....if BQ excels in camp I have no doubt that he will b propelled in front of DA on the depth chart. Based upon the franchise's recent history of QB controversy as well as DA's "transformation" last season into an "All-Pro" QB, the FO had no choice but to declare him the starter going into camp. If, come a monthand a half from now, they suddenly have to announce that BQ is now the starter based upon his performance in camp there is not ONE PERSON who will have a problem with that. On the flip side, if DA excels in camp there will not be ONE PERSON who has a problem based upon what he did last year with having him go into the season as numero uno.

The FO is setting this up perfectly for the best man to win.....and driving them both towards the best of their ability.

What more could any fan ask for???

Competition in training camp is a good thing.....other than the defensive backfield, we are living the good life now but too fearful of admitting it/seeing it. We are coming upon a special time.......set your VCR/TIVO every week Browns fans........

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We are coming upon a special time.......set your VCR/TIVO every week Browns fans........

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Oh I plan on it my man. This buzz is like nothing I've felt as a Browns fan. Just make sure you tie your woman down and make her watch the games on the DVR at least once daily until the next game.

As far as the whole competition, I hope your right. And I'm sure I speak for MOST Browns fans- may the best man win. Like I said, I just want them to get the decision right.

I posted an article earlier by an author who seems to see Quinn as the better QB during minicamp. It's funny that this was the only article that I've personally read that says this. All the others either don't mention it much, or say they both look sharp. If Quinn continues to shine, if he did infact look better, I hope that he is given that starting role.

I don't want RAC or Savage to come out late August, or whenever, after a good competition that was probably won by Quinn and give it to Anderson because "he has a year under his belt and a Pro Bowl."

He just comes off as it being set in stone. Doesn't mean that it is, but for our sake, I hope it's not. I want ring #6 for RAC.

And one for me.

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He just comes off as it being set in stone.

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I think that's being done to keep a quarterback controversy from being the biggest story in the offseason and through training camp. So far it's worked. There's nothing worse than it being up in the air as to who your leader is. Lord knows we've gone through enough of that.

DA has earned the right to be called the starter. BQ won't sit still for it. It can't get any better than that.

The Browns are handling this perfectly. The media has all but given up on any controversy at this point. The FO is feeding DA's confidence while at the same time helping Quinn stay hungry and hard working.

Regardless what they say publicly they are constantly evaluating every position.

Can we just fast forward about 5 weeks?

Anybody know how to do that? I really don't feel like waiting anymore for training camp to start.

5 weeks would be perfect......on vacation that week, camp starts at the end of that week......now if I could just find a flux capacitor......

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flux capacitor......

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I have one but am very reluctant to use it.

This is the worst time of the year. What makes it better than the "dead zones" of the past is that for the first time in many years we have a lot to really be excited about.

We have an anti-QB problem. No controversy or sick feeling that there's not a decent QB on the roster.

We have plenty of top notch receivers all over the field, even if we don't count the newly aquired Donte Stalworth.

We have one of the top OL's in the NFL. Who expected that? We don't even need LeCharles Bently. How about that!

We have finally upgraded the DL to the point that it's no longer a matter of hope that we have talent there. The talent is there. Now it's just a matter of how well and how fast they gel.

We have playmakers all over the field. Three years ago we struggled to name a playmaker on the team. Now we're loaded with them. Most of them are on the offensive side of the ball now, but with any luck, due to the improved DL, we may see them spring up all over the defensive side as well.

We can expect only improvement from our OC. No way Chud takes a step back.

We have yet to see a proven Mel Tucker on defense, but RAC will be playing a large, (no pun intended), role in that. He certainly need not bother meddling with the OC.

RAC has become a seasoned HC. He still has his faults. Everyone does. But it's not in the area of having the team solidly behind him and playing hard to the finish.

The slow time of the season is excruciatingly long and the drought of infromation leaves us hungry for more. Where this one is different is in the knowledge, rather than mere hope, that this team is on the rise and looks to be able to play with anyone this season. Of all the seasons since 1999, this one looks as though we can win the division.

It's been a long time comin'. I can wait a bit longer for it to start.

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And I believe Shep hit the nail squarely on the head about what's going on.

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And I agree with Shep. At the same time, doesn't it feel good to not have the QB controversy in all the articles all the time?

It doesn't matter what they're saying. They're doing what they're doing. But by saying what they're saying it keeps the media from meddling in the QB issue.

I like the stories I hear coming from this offseason. Very few of them are QB related. That is my point. We don't have the media asking questions and second guessing the QB issue. It has been laid to rest regardless of what is happening in Berea. That's why I say they're playing it perfectly. Each QB is getting what each one needs, fans don't have to stand for the constant QB articles, and the coaching staff is free to evaluate the position without all the second guessing from the peanut gallery.

Anyone who thinks DA being the starter is cut in stone is not thinking. Right now, that's the way it is because DA has a history, did well last season, and has done well so far. He is ahead so he should be the man. But if anyone thinks for a moment that the Cleveland Browns are not constantly evaluating and looking to improve each and every position on the team on a daily basis they are kidding themselves.

Naming a cut and dry starter now keeps the wolves at bay. But if BQ beats DA out in training camp and takes over the position the Browns braintrust is not going to give a crap what they said in April. They will do what they think is best for the team. Right now, that is DA. Cut and dry. But anything can happen between now and then. I'm sure they have a plan and a backup plan and a backup plan to that. Plans get reevaluated constantly. If anything changes, good or bad, the plan changes.

But for right now it's great to not have a larger than life, full-blown QB controversy in the media. And the reason there isn't is because of the way our team is handling this.

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...that quote reminds me of a quote by Jim Varney when he played Uncle Jed in The Beverly Hillbilly Movie.

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Yea, it's written a little funny.

Same old story and quotes, but rehashed on the mainsite.....


http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=8530


Quinn anxious for preseason chances
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
06.19.2008
Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel announced months ago that the team would head into the coming regular season with Pro Bowl selection Derek Anderson as their starting quarterback.

Anderson has earned the job, recording a 10-5 record as a starter last season, while his 29 touchdown passes fell just one short of tying a team record.

Brady Quinn recognizes this, but is still preparing for the 2008 NFL season as if he'll be the starting quarterback. Why? Because the second year quarterback knows he's always just one play away from being in the game.

"That has to be on my mindset going in regardless of what people say," Quinn said on the last day of minicamp last week. "Because if I'm not preparing that way I'm doing my team an injustice.

"If (Anderson) were to go down the first play of the season you have to be ready to take the reigns and go from there. At this point that's how I'm preparing myself regardless of how things appear or what I'm told."

Quinn's playing experience as a rookie consisted of three preseason games and one 11-play drive in the final game of the regular season against the 49ers. He registereda 96.5 passer rating in the preseason with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception and then completing 3-of-8 passes for 45 yards during his regular-season debut.

A year ago, the Browns had four quarterbacks on the roster and an open competition for the starting job including Anderson, Quinn, Charlie Frye and Ken Dorsey. Quinn was the third and sometimes fourth quarterback in line to get playing time and reps.

As of now, the Browns only have three quarterbacks on the roster with camp starting in less than five weeks. If the roster stands as it is, that means more reps for the three quarterbacks on the roster - both in practice and in game situations.

"I'm looking forward to whatever reps I get to play," he said.

With little on film of Quinn on the field during live game action, the team will likely afford him playing time during the preseason so they can see just how far he has come along since December.

"During the preseason you have to take advantage of your opportunities now to make sure you're perfecting your craft when you're out on the field," Quinn said. "Because you're not getting a whole lot during the season."

And, as for that contingent of fans out there clamoring for Quinn to be installed as the starter immediately, the young quarterback is more patient.

"People can say what they want to say," Quinn said. "Derek had a good year and he's our starter going into it. He deserves it based on what he did last year.

"I'm a team player. I want what's best for this team. I want to win a Super Bowl and if Derek is the guy that's fine. Of course I'd love to be that guy. I think Ken Dorsey would like to be that guy.

"In the position we're in right now we're just trying to push each other and compete. It's going to make both of us better in the long run."

1st haven't been here to to much lately glad to see your still writing great posts DDUBIA.

I agree with much of what you said, and then I see this statement, and I kind of wonder what actually will happen with this offense ??

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We can expect only improvement from our OC. No way Chud takes a step back.

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For instance I think we may actually become a more ball control, controlled passing game type offense. Lets face it last season our defense was horrid or worse. That should no longer be the case, and with a defense that is capable of holding it's own, I think in the total game plan, controlling the ball and eating up the clock will be much more the mode of operation this up coming season.

Hold off folks before you jump to quickly. I know I know controlling the ball is always the goal, but last season we had a pretty wide open offense, because I think the defense was so horrid, it put the offense in the position of having to score points on nearly every possesion, and when you look at the stat's, we gave up nearly as many as we scored. When you have a lead and a defense you can count on you don't take as many risked with the ball, thats my point. Thats a big change, and if my guess is right, I think we may actually tone the offense back a bit, and lean more on the defense, because we actually should have one this year.

I think our game plans will consist of win the field position battle, control the ball with less risk then last season, and try to force the other team into situations where they take risks with the ball, and we force the turnovers..

In total, or in summation I think will lean more on the defense, and having a improved defense should lead to a change to the overall game plan. Meaning the ablitity of the defense to hold up it's end should actually lead to the offense toning down a bit...

Some folks may view this as the offense not being as good or think that Chud has regressed in his play calling, when in fact it could be just part of the overall game plan..

JMHThoughts.

I'm gone for 10 hours, and there's 5 replies in Pure Football? Geez, it's dead in here.

Time to ruffle some feathers!

I know Vers will totally disagree with this article (speaking of, where is Vers?). This is what makes me nervous about this whole QB situation. Sure, we got 2 guys who can win us games (we hope), but will the front office make the right choice? And is there even A choice?

I've said that Phil comes off to me as there is no choice. Derek IS going to be starting week 1, no matterwhat. I can't agree with that, but who am I? Of course this guy isn't a Browns coach, nor is he in the FO, but he seems to agree with me.

article



Passan: QB "Battle" a Lock for Anderson

By Rich Passan
OBR Columnist
Posted Jun 25, 2008


Rich Passan sticks to his guns, making the case for Derek Anderson as the Cleveland Browns starter in 2008. Did Quinn look better in mini-camps? It doesn't matter. What if Quinn looks better in pre-season? It won't matter, according to Rich.


Now that the Browns’ Organized Team Activities and minicamp have come and gone, it’s time to put one item into perspective.

Barring some sort of catastrophic injury, Derek Anderson will be your starting quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener. He’d have to have one foot in cast and the other in a boot to lose the job he so richly deserved last season.

It makes absolutely no difference how he looked in mincamp or in the OTAs. Or how he’ll look in training camp and in exhibition games.

When you’re coming off a season in which you produce 29 touchdown passes, nearly 3,800 passing yards and lead your team to 10 victories, you deserve to be the starting quarterback the following season. No questions asked.

Any coach who doesn’t start a quarterback with that kind of production needs to have his head examined.

Yes, Anderson can be inconsistent. And yes, he sometimes stares down receivers. And yes, he occasionally has problems throwing the short pass. And yes, his mechanics still need some work. The result: 19 interceptions (one for every 28 passes thrown) last season.

Fact is most quarterbacks in the National Football League have similar flaws. Brett Favre, for example, averaged around 27 touchdown passes a season, but also averaged 18 interceptions in his 16 years in Green Bay. When it came to throwing the football, he was fearless.

So is Anderson.

He has a gunslinger’s mentality on the field. He believes he can complete every pass he throws. He believes he can fit the football in the tightest of spaces. He brims with confidence. It’s not like he thinks he can do something . . . he knows.

That’s the kind of confidence coaches love.

Last time I looked, there was no such thing as the perfect quarterback. Most of us thought New England’s Tom Brady approached perfection last season, but the New York Giants humanized him in a hurry in the Super Bowl.

Anderson’s statistics in his first full season as a starter hold up nicely against similar stats of some high profile quarterbacks.

While evaluating Anderson, most of his critics either ignore or downplay one important statistic. He was sacked just 13 times in the 15 games he started. Sacks are drive killers (yes, so are interceptions) and Anderson’s lightning-quick release avoided a boatload of those sacks.

In his first full season, Brady threw 18 TD passes and only 12 interceptions, but was sacked 41 times as the Patriots finished 11-5 en route to the Super Bowl title.

Favre, who became a starter in his second NFL season, threw only 18 scoring passes (and just 13 picks) for 9-7 Green Bay in 1992, but was sacked 34 times. Peyton Manning, as a rookie, threw 28 interceptions, or one every 20.5 passes, and was sacked 28 times as the Indianapolis Colts finished 3-13 in 1998. Drew Brees, then with San Diego, threw 17 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions, but was sacked 24 times as the Chargers finished 8-8 in 2002.

And when Ben Roethlisberger led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-1 regular-season record and the Super Bowl championship as a rookie a few years ago, he threw 11 interceptions, or one every 26.81 passes, and was dropped 30 times.

Anderson is still the quarterback who threw 29 touchdowns passes last season. He’s still the quarterback with the best arm, by far, on the club. He’s still the quarterback who gives the team the best chance to win. And he’s still the quarterback in whom the offensive line and receivers have the most confidence.

There was nothing fluky about the Browns’ 10-6 record last season. One of the main reasons was the guy who couldn’t even beat out Charlie Frye for the starting job at the beginning of the season.

Anderson accomplished this feat while operating without the luxury of at least a decent defense and still squeezed out the 10 victories. With any kind of a defensive presence, who knows how far the Browns would have gone last season.

At this stage, coach Romeo Crennel has no other choice but to stick with him as his quarterback. Without Anderson last season, Crennel would have had to update his resume.

The Browns had hit their nadir in the season-opening blitz by the Pittsburgh Steelers. And it was Anderson who stunned everyone with his where-did-that-come-from season and ultimately saved Crennel’s job.

Of course he didn’t do it by himself. But he did it with the same lineup with which Frye failed so miserably.

And yet, there are still many fans who wonder how Anderson was able to play so poorly in last season’s training camp and yet wind up in the Pro Bowl.

No, he didn’t sign a pact with the devil. He just stepped into a win-win situation and played like a veteran even though he was just 24 years old with only three NFL starts in his portfolio.

And he has turned out to be, at least thus far, the most underappreciated successful quarterback the Browns have had since . . . well, since no one. All successful Cleveland quarterbacks have been appreciated at one time or another.

From Otto Graham to Bernie Kosar with the likes of Frank Ryan, Bill Nelsen and Brian Sipe in between, winning quarterbacks have drawn the fans’ raves. That despite the fact most of them had imperfections in their games.

Sipe, with his 154-149 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio and Red Right 88 gaffe against the Oakland Raiders in the 1980 playoffs, was not as reviled as Anderson, whose less-than-stellar performance in the second Cincinnati game last season drew near unanimous disapproval from the fans.

Nelsen, like Sipe, was a gambler who loved living on the edge and Ryan, the last Cleveland quarterback to taste championship champagne, was cerebral. Both, however, were not very accurate, Ryan completed just 51.7% of his passes in six-plus seasons. Nelsen completed 52.4% of his throws in four-plus. All they did was win games because they worked with a safety net: A good defense.

If it weren’t for the fact a high profile No. 1 draft choice lurks in Anderson’s shadow, perhaps his accomplishments last season would be more widely appreciated.

It caused Browns General Manager Phil Savage to say, “DA has played over 1,000 snaps and there's still people that have doubts outside of our building. Brady (Quinn) has played 10 snaps and people are convinced he's the guy. It's really kind of illogical.”

It really is.

And when Ben Roethlisberger led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-1 regular-season record and the Super Bowl championship as a rookie a few years ago, he threw 11 interceptions, or one every 26.81 passes, and was dropped 30 times.

Last I remember, the Patriots won the Super Bowl that year against the Eagles if im not mistaken...

Wasn't it his second year?