Anderson the starter in Cleveland?
The Akron Beacon-Journal is reporting Derek Anderson is the front-runner for the Browns’ starting quarterback job.
If the Browns had to open the season today, the quarterback probably would be Derek Anderson. That’s the word from some with the Browns, but it’s written in pencil, and keep in mind that Anderson is being judged on drills where they wear shorts and helmets and the quarterback is not being sacked.
I had the opportunity to study a couple of Anderson’s games while doing NFL features for Bullz-Eye.com last year, and I was rather impressed. He certainly has the physical tools to compete in the league and his decision-making in his first game as a starter (a 31-28 OT win over Kansas City in Week 13) was above average too. I know some Browns fans have to be a bit disappointed that by all accounts, it doesn’t appear that Charlie Frye is going to make it in Cleveland. However, the future is in Brady Quinn and if Anderson gives them the best chance to compete in 2007, than there’s no question that he needs to be under center come Week 1. Granted, it’s only June and this means nothing at this point, but it will be interesting to follow throughout the summer.
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The new offensive coordinator is all about precision, and Anderson has the best arm of the bunch. He reminds me a little of Philip Rivers in San Diego, so I’m not too surprised to hear this. That said, the key will be when they get in pads.
So Stalter…you’re a fan of the future franchise QB holding the clipboard to start his career?
That’s a good question BoSox (by the way, nice season for your Sox so far).
The Good: Peyton Manning and Ben Rothlisberger both played their first two seasons. Manning didn’t fair well, but obviously the experience and playing time helped him immediately in this sophomore season and beyond. Rothlisberger was forced into action Week 1 because of an injury to Tommy Maddux and he took the Steelers to the AFC Champ Game that year and the Super Bowl the next. Vince Young is another good example.
The biggest advantage in letting a rookie play right away is, hey, if he doesn’t see the field, he’s not getting any “real” experience. So, throw him out there, hope he learns and then you’ve got a guy that theoretically should be ready to roll his second season.
The Bad: Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch were horrid and inconsistent as rookies. The negative to starting a guy right away is you don’t know if the game is going to swallow him whole. If he does poorly, is his confidence going to be shot? Can he handle losing after winning all the time in college?
Personally, if you don’t have a surrounding cast for a rookie quarterback, don’t let him play. Make him hold the clipboard for a season and then evaluate. If it’s a situation like the Steelers had with Rothlisberger where the team already had some playmakers on the roster, let the QB go out, learn the game and let other guys make plays.
In the case of the Browns, I think it’s a good idea to let Brady Quinn sit a season…