Spanning Browns Town: The Most Wonderful Time of Browns Fans' Year

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Well Cleveland sports fans, you have been through another tough year for Cleveland sports. There was another playoff disappointment with the Cavs and wash away of a baseball season with the Indians.

Congratz to you! So what is your reward? You get to see some of the most asked questions about the new era of your favorite football team answered.

Cleveland Browns training camp 2009 is upon us. There are many questions to be answered with this team so it promises to be a very interesting one.

Let's take a look at some of the storylines going into this year's camp. Well, the ones I will be paying particular attention to at least.

Derek Anderson vs. Brady Quinn

Towards the end of last season, we were lead to believe by former head coach Romeo Crennel that Brady Quinn would be the starter of this football team. Then, Crennel was given the axe.

Enter new head caoch Eric Mangini who declared open competition for the job. So now all you fans who just could not get enough of the Tim Couch vs. Kelly Holcomb angle, here is a brand new QB controversy just for you. Or something like that at least.

Last season Brady wowed all of us with a terrific performance in week 9. Then, he sustained an injury in his next game in which he looked mediocre at best. He of course then played hurt the next game.

Also do not forget that last season was for the most part Anderson's sophomore year. Not many athletes have great second seasons and Anderson was no exception.

This will be a make-or-break camp for him with this team anyways. That is not to say that he could not catch on somewhere else if he does not make it here.  Believe me, he will not be here if he does not win the starting job this camp.

Remember, it was just a couple years ago Anderson made the Pro Bowl as an alternate after throwing for 29 touchdowns in 2007. He should be given every chance to prove he can return to that form and keep his job.

Here are some of my observations about both DA and Brady.

What I have noticed about Brady from exhibition games and the few regular season games is this. Brady seems to look natural at the position. He maintains his cool regardless of how pathetic the guys blocking for him may be.

He also has a good grasp for what an opponent's defense tries to do and has the ability to make appropriate adjustments before the ball is snapped.

He may not have a strongest or the most accurate arm, however, he can move around in the pocket and make things happen with his feet.

His ability to keep calm allows him to make smart decisions and throws. Finally (and this is the biggest difference to me) with Quinn not only does the ball get moved at a smoother pace, the offense scores touchdowns.

As far as Anderson goes, sure he has leadership qualities just not the one's Quinn possesses. He can sustain long drives, and while some of those drives have resulted in touchdowns, most of the them end with field goals, and that's if the offense scores at all.

He does not seem to be able to make adjustments on the fly and he seems to get jumpy which results in poor decision making, and as a result of poor decisions the ball ends up on the ground a lot or in the hands of a defender. He is also not very mobile and cannot aviod sacks on his own. 

This battle will be long and will most likely come down to the last practice before a decision is made. The job will go to whoever can show the ability to move the ball down field, can make the best adjustments, and can lead the team on the field. Scoring touchdowns should play a big part in Mangini's evaluation process as well.

For reasons already mentioned, I think Quinn has the edege. but Anderson will have every opportunity to show us why he is still worthy of being the starter of this team. 

Wide Receiver Battle

One thing that we do know about this posistion is that desipte Braylon Edwards lack luster season he will still be one of the starters. Braylon had a season to for get last year as he dropped way more then his fair share of passes and had a sour adittude towards the end of the season. He still stands as a source for big play making, he has recommitted himself this season and vows to return to his 2007 form. Only time will tell how that will play out but for now Braylon will get a starting spot.

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