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With training camp just around the corner, there are a lot of questions to be answered by Cleveland Browns first-year head coach Eric Mangini, none more important than who will start at quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings on opening day.

But really, this shouldn’t be a question at all, and hopefully it really isn’t.  

Brady Quinn should be named the starter as soon as possible, because this much we know for sure: Derek Anderson is not the answer at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

Yes, Anderson’s got the ideal size and arm strength for playing quarterback in the NFL, but that’s basically it.

His deficiencies as a starting quarterback are obvious. - He’s a below average decision-maker who struggles with his progressions and eyeballs his receivers. He can’t throw an accurate short pass for the life of him. He has a tendency to hang receivers out to dry. He’s also extremely uncomfortable in the pocket and, for a guy that stands 6’6’’, gets a ridiculous amount of passes deflected at the line of scrimmage. All of these things are not the making of a franchise quarterback, or even an adequate one.

With Quinn, we simply haven’t seen enough of him to determine whether or not he’s the answer, but he’s definitely shown potential.

In limited action last season, Quinn flashed several encouraging signs.

For starters, he demonstrated that he’s a very good athlete with the mobility to extend plays, which is critical on a team with few playmakers.

Quinn also showed signs of having pocket presence, which has been a foreign concept for the cavalcade of quarterbacks that have started for the Browns since their return. Quinn showed that he has the ability to evade rushers in the pocket, and the willingness and toughness to step up and deliver a throw.

In regards to his perceived lack of arm strength, I feel that’s a non-issue. Quinn may not have a cannon like Anderson, but he can make all the throws necessary for an NFL quarterback. He also throws the ball very well outside the pocket.

Just as important (and perhaps undervalued) is Quinn’s work ethic and desire to get better. He may not ever be an elite quarterback in the NFL, but he’s going to train and prepare like one. That’s a very nice characteristic for the leader of your offense to possess.

All things considered (new system, few offensive weapons, have to face the Steelers and Ravens defenses twice, etc…), Quinn is certainly going to take his lumps this season should he be named the starter. Any young quarterback is going to struggle in a situation like the Browns. Regardless, it’s important for Mangini to make this Quinn’s team as soon as possible, so we can truly evaluate if Quinn is the long awaited answer at quarterback, or if we have to draft another one.

Brady Quinn may never be a game-changer at quarterback, but at the very least, and with the right pieces and some stability, he can be a game manager at the position. Quinn has a lot of intangibles you simply can not ignore.