Why the Cleveland Browns' Quarterback Competition May Have Ended Before It Began

Winslow is no longer with the team, but many of the players from that huddle still are, and they can certainly attest to his sentiments.

This is yet another sign as to why Quinn could already be the Browns starter. When it comes to huddle presence, there aren't many secrets as to how effective Quinn and Anderson are (or aren't) at running the herd. 

If Mangini were to base his decision on huddle command, only to select Anderson, someone who has proven to struggle in this department, it would seem just a little hypocritical.

One of the most important and overall telling indications of who will start for Cleveland is the team's receiving corps.

With the inevitable severance between the Browns and Donte Stallworth, coupled with the trade of Kellen Winslow, Cleveland has suddenly become pretty depleted when it comes to downfield threats.

The Browns replaced Winslow with veteran tight end Robert Royal, who is known more for his run blocking than Hail Mary routes. The team then added aged receiver David Patten and Mike Furrey, both of whom seem to be possession wideouts. Rookie receiver Brian Robiskie is not heralded for his speed, and while fellow newcomer Mohamed Mossaquoi could be a future fade route target, word is he's got a lot of room to develop.

Since he is the only legitimate receiving threat on the team, Braylon Edwards will no doubt see a good amount of double coverage, and sometimes triple coverage.  Beyond him, the Browns have a who's who depth chart of untested rookies and veterans slowed by age. 

What does all this mean? 

Its simple. When looking at the receiving weapons available for either quarterback, the results favor Quinn.

Anderson can undoubtedly throw the ball for miles. The problem is there won't be too many Cleveland receivers waiting for him at the other end of the throw. 

Case in point, this receiving corps just doesn't favor a quarterback with a gunslinger throwing style. 

If you're going to start a quarterback based on your love of the long ball, you want receivers who can complement this. The Browns don't have these receivers, but what they do have is a group of wideouts who would be more useful in a short-yardage system with a dip and dunk quarterback, a la Brady Quinn.

So, if my hypothesis is true and the coaching staff has indeed decided amongst themselves to start Quinn, then why not tell the world? Why keep putting on this front of a head-to-head race to preseason?

It could be a number of things, really.

Perhaps Mangini feels Anderson has at least earned the right to compete for the position, since he has proven to be effective at times in the past.

Maybe Mangini had so much fun convincing sports analysts around the world just how "enamored" he was with former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, even though he had no intentions of drafting him. 

For all one knows, the coach may just find great joy in jerking the chain of the sports media.

In the end, I know as much about this competition as everyone else. It could be that Mangini intends to focus solely on the imperfections listed about Anderson so he could be ready to start this season.

As of now, though, all signs point to Quinn, and I'd like to think the Browns coaching staff knows this as well.

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