It's never easy saying goodbye.
Cleveland Browns fans are still upset about the firing of Paul Brown.
They cry over the trade of Paul Warfield.
Some hold a grudge toward Bill Belichick for his ignominious release of Bernie Kosar.
They love the team in the burnt umber and seal brown, and they want to keep every single player with an ounce of talent, because they just know that their team is "this close" to winning, as long as—cross your fingers and say a prayer—nobody screws it up.
But Browns fans, it's time to screw it up.
It's time to seriously consider trading Derek Anderson. Here's five reasons why.
1. Anderson is iffy at best.
Derek Anderson had a terrific season. He threw for a whopping 29 touchdowns and built excellent rapport with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. But he was also maddeningly ineffective at times.
His 19 interceptions were often thrown right into the teeth of the defense. A few were such momentum killers that you could actually see the flags inside the stadium whipping around their flagpoles from all the air leaving the building.
His 2007 stats make him look great on paper, but game time was often a different story. Even the Cleveland media began to refer to him as Good DA and Bad DA, as in "if you want to win with the Good DA, you have to be willing to lose with the Bad DA."
2. Anderson is the Browns' most tradeable commodity.
Like most teams on the verge of becoming a playoff contender, the Browns have more decent players in starting positions than great players. And also like most teams on the verge of becoming playoff contenders, the Browns are limited in their depth.
Except at quarterback.
While Brady Quinn is an unproven talent, and could even be (dare we say it?) a bust, he is a player the Browns felt confident enough to trade away a first-round pick to nab. Why would they do that if they weren't planning on working him into the starting lineup?
Quarterback is a position of strength for the Browns when it comes to the trade game. And if the team plans to only keep one, they should get something for the other.
That other is Anderson.
3. Anderson's value will never be higher.
How many teams covet a pro quarterback with respectable stats, decent arm strength and youth?
Can you say, plenty?
Trading Anderson now, with more good than bad on his tally sheet, would be the best course of action. He can't make his trade value better, but he can make it worse.
4. The Browns QB should not be the focus of the offense.
Cleveland is a bad-weather team. It has always been a bad-weather team. And yet, every winter when the wind whips in over Lake Erie and the thermometer plummets, the Browns still try to pass the ball.
My advice? Run. Run a lot. If you plan on winning and losing on the arm of your quarterback in November and December in Cleveland, well...lots of luck.
5. Defense still wins championships.
Many fans point to the second game of the season last year while defending Derek Anderson's ability. And while it is true that he threw a basketful of touchdowns in that game, he really had no choice.
The Dawgs were toothless against Cincinnati, and have been just as meek against most of the NFL for quite some time. Throwing touchdowns was the only defense the team had.
Until the Browns get a defense that can stop the run and keep opposing wide receivers in front of them, they will struggle in the playoffs.
And the fastest way to strengthen the defense is through a trade.
So there you have it. Is it the wisest course of action to trade one of the team's best players?
Maybe. Maybe not. You tell me.
27 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ivahn Lachowsky about 1 year ago
I say give Anderson 1 more season see what happens don't bust up something good but who knows maybe teams were just caught off guard last year and will have a better read on the Brownies this year. You say run run run that's what Jamal Lewis did last year and I'd argue to say he may have been Clevelands best player last year.
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Dallas Wilson about 1 year ago
Im sorry to say that when I saw your headline I was shocked. Then I read the article and it made sence. Good read. Ive written a similiar article about Dwayne Bowe that you should check out. Oh, and a word of advice, be prepared to take heat for this.
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Spenser T. Harrison about 1 year ago
Very good article. Your #5 reason is the best and still continues to be overlooked by many football fans; it's also the reason the Texans drafted Mario over Reggie and Vince.
The only problem for the Browns is that they can't afford the cap hit they would take by trading Anderson since he just signed a new contract. They would have to wait at least a year, so this is his chance to earn it for the future. Besides if Anderson turns out to be the guy you can always trade Brady Quinn whos value is still decently high since his performance is virtually unknown at this point.
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BaKhi Hetep about 1 year ago
Even though we need DB help. I'd rather have the luxury of DA and Quinn and draft a first round DB Next year rather than be one of those teams that are looking for a QB for the next five years. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Yes the reasons are valid but here are some that need to be looked at.
1.Miami
2.Baltimore
3.Chicago
4.Carolina
Are just some teams that have some QB issues and have had them for sometime now. You can always find a defensive player. But we all know the trials of finding a QB. I would keep them both until I had to trade one of them I believe it will fix it self injury contract something will work out.
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Keet Bailey about 1 year ago
With this years schedule, DA will get his rear end handed to him. His trade value will go lower, and Phil will most likely regret not trading him this year. Not to mention, because the roster bonus due next March 15th, we'll most likely have to pick that up before trading him, because not many teams will want to take that. They'll most likely press for the Browns to let him go to URFA next year and try not to trade for him.
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Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
Great article! I am not the biggest Browns fan in the world, but I can hear where you are coming from and I agree with you. If I were the Cleveland GM, I would be shopping Anderson right now. If they could get a draft pick and decent back-up quarterback in return it would be perfect.
I don't think Quinn will be a bust. He has done well in practice, from what I've heard, and I am a backer of the former Notre Dame QB.
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Raj Kamruddin about 1 year ago
I think a little more highly of Derek Anderson. If the guy can put up 25+ TD's this year, I think Browns should hold on to him and trade Brady Quinn for a 1st round pick. you never know if he will pan out. He Could be the next Rex Grossman. Trade him so that you can address other areas. If Browns have 2 first round picks next year, or trade up for one top pick. Otherwise, you could let Anderson go, brady doesnt succeed, and Anderson continues to put up good numbers.
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Daniel Muth about 1 year ago
Nice read, and your argument has merit, but the unwritten rule of the NFL is never get rid of a productive starter at the quarterback position. No matter how hyped his unproven replacement is. Defense does win championships, but very seldom has anybody won with an average quarterback. Trent Dilfer is the exception and he needed the greatest defense in the history of the game to do it. I also feel it's unfair to point to DA's inconsistency in what was ostensibly his first season as a starting quarterback. He had a phenomenal year. Peyton Manning threw for 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his rookie campaign and showed many of the weird inconsistencies you talked about in DA. Such as seemingly throwing it directly to the defense. Those are timing and knowing the offense mistakes which can be corrected. In my opinion he showed that he had all the throws needed to be a very good professional. My advice? Hold on to him and see how he improves this year. He's either going to take the next step (like Manning did) or he's not. Even with simply a solid year he will still have great trade value. If you're the Browns, there's probably worse things then having too many good quarterbacks. As a Lions fan, I've never considered the problem!
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Zac 123 about 1 year ago
Your going to trade a QB who in his 2nd year/1st full year starting put up 29 TDs. He put up 29 TDs in a new offensive system. Going into the 2nd year of the system and taking all the snaps in camp with the starting offense DA should be better. If he's not - put in Quinn. If you trade him and Quinn is a bust the season is over. Ken Dorsey is your QB for 2010. Even if you get a 1st round pick and take a QB in 2010 he wont start. I don't understand why you would take a position of strength and weaken it. A position some people consider to be the most valuble on the team.
"And also like most teams on the verge of becoming playoff contenders, the Browns are limited in their depth.
Except at quarterback."
So, trade the QB and be thin at that position.
What team are you going to make the trade with??
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jed jenkins about 1 year ago
Not to mention that as the year went on the offense put up fewer and fewer points because DA was getting figured out by the defense, and after an off season of watching him on film he will be much less effective. Get rid of him.
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Keet Bailey about 1 year ago
For in depth Browns talk visit: http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=13
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Aron Glatzer about 1 year ago
Derek Anderson was known as Derek 'Interception' at Oregon State. Has he improved his decision making since that time? Absolutely. Could he fall back into those gambling tendencies? Might be a good idea to move him now and get top value back than wait and see...
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Keet Bailey about 1 year ago
More like Derek Anderception.
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Keet Bailey about 1 year ago
Your going to trade a QB who in his 2nd year/1st full year starting put up 29 TDs. He put up 29 TDs in a new offensive system. Going into the 2nd year of the system and taking all the snaps in camp with the starting offense DA should be better. If he's not - put in Quinn. If you trade him and Quinn is a bust the season is over. Ken Dorsey is your QB for 2010. Even if you get a 1st round pick and take a QB in 2010 he wont start. I don't understand why you would take a position of strength and weaken it. A position some people consider to be the most valuble on the team.
^^^^
What value do we have in a QB who can't perform well against defenses that are above average and better?
I don't know about you, but I'd really like to make the playoffs this year. Playing a QB who does nothing but struggle against teams with records of .500 or better isn't the way we do that.
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Henry Montgomery about 1 year ago
I would absolutely agree with you if Anderson played any other position on the field, but if you aren't solid at the Quarterback position than you aren't solid period.
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Zac 123 about 1 year ago
Keet Who are you going to make the playoffs with if you trade Anderson? Quinn? How do you think he is going to handle an elite defense? Nobody knows? Dorsey? Mystery veteren QB? DA put 30 points up on the number 1 defense in the league(pit). Browns defense lost that game. DA beat the number 6 defense twice.
C. Palmer 20 INT
E. Manning 20 Int
D. Brees 18 Int
QBs throw interceptions. If you can play defense the team can overcome those. You shouldn't have to score 30 points every week to win. Defense is the problem - not DA.
You guys still haven't named a trade partner.
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Keet Bailey about 1 year ago
Lol. Browns defense lost that game. Anderson had 3 TD's that game. I can credit him with 2. The pass to Braylon.
Otherwise we started on the 3 yard line and his nice TD to Braylon we started on like the 28. He did lead us on a nice drive to start the game. But what else did he do...
Take a look at the drive chart. How many 3, 4, 5 and outs did he lead us to in the 2nd half? How the hell is the defense suppose to work with that? They got maybe a 1 minute breather before they had to go out and try to stop the offense again. Perhaps if our QB could've put some touch on his passes and got us a few first downs we could've burned through some clock.
You can't just expect an already mediocre defense to be able to stop a top offense when they have to get on the field every :30 seconds to a minute because the offense, more specifically in this game, the QB couldn't do his job.
Tell me what he did against defenses like the Pats (playoff team) or Cards (not even a playoff team), Cincy game 2, even the Jets, possibly San Fran, even Oakland. I'll forgive him for the Bills game. Nobody could pass in that game.
I'm glad that he can beat up on teams like the Dolphins and Rams (who picked #1 and #2 overall in the draft). But we need a QB who can beat playoff teams.
Is Brady that guy? Maybe, maybe not. But Anderson for sure isn't. Unless he can fix the same mistakes he's been making for 7 years of organized football at a high level. (College and Pro together).
You can't teach decision making. You can't really teach touch either. I'm sick of seeing him rocket the ball at every player, regardless of whether they are 50 yards in front of him or 50 inches.
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Zac 123 about 1 year ago
You can teach decision making and you can teach touch. Its called coaching. There are a lot of QB's that have struggled their first couple of years and benefited from coaching and experience. I'm not saying the guy is Joe Montana but I think he deserves another chance. It amazes me that after the year he had(good-not great) people want to run him out of town. I don't understand how trading him this year makes the browns a better football team this season. I want to win in the playoffs and having Quinn and Anderson give the Browns a better shot. If DA struggles you put in Quinn. If you trade DA and Quinn struggles you put in Dorsey?? You going to tell me you feel comfortable with that. If you want to get rid of him so bad at least have a solution that makes the QB group stronger with out him.
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Jeremy Rhodes about 1 year ago
yeah that's exactly what im thinking.. but as a Browns fan.. i want to follow Phil's message of having the luxury of two good QB's. Yes he's the hottest trade bait we have. I think letting him be a full time leader again on a system he seems to know well which Chud is kicking his mind's ass by making him a hell of a talent. Same with Quinn. Now the scary thing is Chud is already familar with saying go ahead and trade that Drew Brees and ill work with the kid once before. So it will be interesting to see if its not Quinn who gets delt rather than Anderson. Either way whoever is riding shotgun on my team is going to have my full support. In the Mean Time Im campaigning for Chris Wells for RB in Cleveland! he has no better home than the browns.
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Todd Morse about 1 year ago
As a Bills fan, I would appreciate if every AFC team started trading their good players. I support this article.
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Charles Cole about 1 year ago
It seems that every year here in Cleveland we have to endure a "quarterback controversy". It baffles the mind how anyone (especially Browns fans) can't comprehend the value of two solid, developing young QBs on the roster. Perhaps rather than speculate endlessly on what kind of season DA will or won't have, or what his trade value is or isn't or will be or won't be, we might want to take a breath and listen to some people who might be a tad more knowledgeable about this than we fans are. Rip Sherer, the Browns' QB coach, was recently quoted as saying the following: "I have the best QB room in the league". Notice, not in the AFC North, or the AFC, but in the LEAGUE! And this guy is a tad more knowledgeable about what it takes to be a consistent, quality NFL QB than anyone posting on this or any other board I know of. So, how about we just sit back and enjoy the ride this year -- a year which promises to be the most interesting and enjoyable since perhaps 1964. I ought to know. I've been a Browns' fan since 1962. I predicted them to go 9-7 last year and was called every name in the book. Now, given the improvements on the D line and the ongoing seasoning of the roster (including a boat load of very, very talented players on all three units -- offense, defense, and STs), I'm ready to head out onto another preseason limb. I will be very surprised if the '08 Browns don't go 11-5 and will be totally shocked if they don't win the AFC North handily and progress deep into the playoffs. Remember: you heard it here first.
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Jerry Desaulniers about 1 year ago
Give DA a break! He never claimed to be Montana or Peyton Manning! But he did a good job last year and as a team player he did his job. His job was to throw into coverages, tight spots and the end zone! That is Chud's system, a bit of a high wire act and someday Chud's name might be mentioned alongside offensive greats like Mike Martz. If you dont like the high wire act, dont watch a Browns game this year. Because Chud will call for some cliff hanger endings, and by the way the Browns offense kicked butt last year if you dont remember too well. Hat's off to the O-Line, Chud, Jamal and yes DA!
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D P about 1 year ago
He had twenty nine TD's and almost took the Browns to the playoffs in his first year at the helm.
It'd be just like the Browns to screw up a good thing and trade him. My God.
We're developing an O-line that doesn't sacrifice QB's like Mayan priests. Instead of crippling them (Couch, Testaverde, etc.), you want to trade them?
All of the aforementioned "good" reasons to trade him can be made of Kellen Winslow. I don't see anybody looking to get rid of him. And to tell you the truth, I'd rather play with a solid character like Anderson than a crybaby peepants like Winslow.
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Jeff Smirnoff about 1 year ago
No one is going to offer anything close to value for Anderson due to his only having one year as a starter under his belt and his consistancy issues. Every team had a chance to give him an offer that the Brwons could or could not match but did not want to part with a 1st adn 3rd round pick. I do not fault Phil Savage for not trading his for less. QBs are a rare commodity.
He's had 1 year in this system and put up 10 wins. Ignore the stats, ignore who he played he won 10 games.
2008 will tell if DA is the franchise QB or not.
If you are a true Browns fan you don;t care who the QB is just how many wins he can produce.
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Justin Lada about 1 year ago
Anderson's stock can go higher and lower of course. The problem is, 60 something Qbs started last year due to injury. IS anyone comfortable if Quinn goes down, having Ken Dorsey lead the Browns to the playoffs? Didnt think so, all this talk about depth and if an injury occurs. this is the most important position on the field, and if you ahve Ken Dorsey trying to take a team that should be in the playoffs, well they will end up playing golf sooner rather than later.
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Justin Hokanson 11 months ago
Reason number one not to trade Derek Anderson, because he is better than Brady Quinn. Moving on.
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Keet Bailey 9 months ago
Looks like you were wrong Zac. Figures.
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