One of the more interesting questions looming in the offseason is the fate of Derek Anderson.
Though he faltered down the stretch, the Browns' quarterback has established himself as a capable NFL starter.
But with Brady Quinn waiting in the wings, the Browns might be in position to deal Anderson to another team looking for an upgrade at the quarterback position
The problem is that the Browns are ready to compete now—and dealing Anderson would mean losing a backup capable of spelling Quinn if the youngster can't cut it.
And that brings us to the Browns' Week 17 game against the 49ers.
The Browns' playoff fate will be decided Sunday. But the Browns game won't have anything to do with it. Under the tiebreaker rules, the fates of both Cleveland and Tennessee will be decided solely by the outcome of the Titans/Colts game.
If the Titans win, they get the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. If they lose, it goes to the Browns. It really is that simple.
So now's the time to for Romeo Crennel to give Brady Quinn his first NFL start. With nothing to lose, it makes sense to see what Quinn can do.
Not only would a Quinn start help the Cleveland front office decide what to do with Anderson—it would also give Quinn some game film to study in the offseason.
If the Browns really expect Quinn to be their franchise quarterback, he should get the snaps in practice this week and the start on Sunday.
Mark Myers is the founder and primary developer at ChanceBot.com, a sports simulation and analysis website. He can be reached at chancebot@gmail.com
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7 months ago
I agree, a loss to the 49ers would be a great way to enter the playoffs!
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I get your point, and I agree that they need to test him out in this kind of a situation, but I think they want to establish a comfortable lead with Anderson, and then throw him in with the backups.
Cleveland has a big decision on what they want to do with Anderson, but I don't think that they should use this game as a test to see if the Quinn man can truly hang with the big-boys.
Plus, they are playing against San Francisco, they could get better competition from USC.
from 7 months ago
Playing brady quinn in this game is like driving a new car off the lot. It will lose it's value....BIG TIME.... you won't get shit in a trade if you play him. Keep the other teams thinking he is the real deal and don't prove otherwise!!!!
from 7 months ago
Are they even considering trading Quinn?
7 months ago
Is Brady Quinn really as good as everyone thinks he is, because I think a better move would be to try and trade Quinn to a team who needs a young gunslinger
7 months ago
Mark
Dude, you need to lay off the egg nog. Both the Browns and the Titans are 9-6, if Cleveland wins and the Titans lose, the Browns are in. If they both win or both lose, then the Titans are in. I don't see how you take that and say that the entire outcome is based on the Tenn game.
The Browns are also much better right now than anyone thought they would be, due in large part to play at the QB position. Why the hell would they switch to an unproven rookie with their first playoff birth in forever at stake?
I would hope that the Breeze/Rivers situation would make everyone rethink the notion that getting rid of a quality proven starter for guy who has never taken a regular season snap is the best choice. But Brady does has commercial deals and he did come from the outstanding program that Weis has going at ND.
Get a grip.....
from 7 months ago
From NFL.com
"They no longer control their own destiny. If Tennessee wins, the Browns are out. If Tennessee loses, the Browns are in."
Where is the egg nog?
7 months ago
Actually, if both Cleveland and Tennessee lose, Cleveland is in the playoffs with a better in-conference record. Because Cleveland has already played all 12 AFC opponents, they have to wait to see what Tennessee does. The Cleveland vs. San Francisco game might as well be an exhibition.
7 months ago
There is no way Crennel makes a switch at QB right now
If he does, he should have his head examined
from 7 months ago
Well let's just assume that the browns are going to lose to ther niners. Go niners!
7 months ago
Keep anderson and deal quinn its that simple try to get another 1st round pick out of him which is unlikely but a 2nd pick will still be good
7 months ago
49ers need to go out and get Quinn. That way Oakland will have a nice view when he turns into the next Montana. That said, the way Anderson looked against Cinci... I wouldn't deal BQ just yet if I'm the Browns. Especially since they got him at bargain price for a 1st round QB.
from 7 months ago
The next Montana? More like the next Ron Powlus...
7 months ago
In football just like any other form of business you prepare for the long haul, the Browns while yes have a shot at the playoffs need to be thinking of the future, they have something going for them now, I believe that Brady Quinn will have a successful football career but like any other up and coming quarterback he needs to be under a qb that has solid stats and has an established football career, anderson is showing hope but also is verrrrrrrry inconsistant and based on that the should trade him off for a more seasoned veteran quarterback. look at Jamarcus Russel he is more than likely going to end up like daunte Culpepper, Look at steve young who was under who? his career was amazing because of the training he received. Browns fans hear me, if they trade brady they may make the playoffs the next couple of years but they will remain inconsistant and will continue in circles..Good Luck and im rooting for the Dawg Pound!
7 months ago
Let Brady play this weekend! Please!
7 months ago
I agree that Quinn needs the expereience, but why start Quinn the last game of the season, going into the playoffs (if they make it) with Derek Anderson on the bench.
That doesn't show Anderson the respect he deserves after completely turning the Browns around.
How would you feel if you were Anderson?
from 7 months ago
Well, on the one hand I see what you are saying. But it si not DA's team.
Remember when Ruben Sierra complained that "All [the Yankees] care about is winning"? Respect or no respect, the Browns should do what is in their own best interest. Free agency has driven player salaries, but the lack of loyalty has to cut both ways.
It's also worth noting that if the Browns do start Quinn DA's stock could rise. What if Quinn went out and bombed against the Niners. Wouldn't DA be worth more both to the Browns and on the market?
7 months ago
The Browns are a bunch of shitty stupid shitchuggers
Both of those QBs are transvestite rapists
Braylon Edwards is a selfish cunt
Kellen Winslow has a cunt for a brain and two labia for legs
The Browns' defense is the definition of bloody blumpkin
Fuck them up their bleeding twats with a rusty flag pole
7 months ago
Barry,
Tell me how you really feel! With a mouth like that you must be a Steeler's fan... too bad for you!
6 months ago
Starting BQ against the Niners is not the answer here, and thats coming from an ND alum. From a Browns/ND fan, I'll support whatever decision they decide upon. I think the Browns could get 1st and 3rd round picks for Anderson, and that would be something difficult to pass up. Then again, only they know how BQ looks in practice. I fully believe that he will be a successful NFL QB. Anderson has been a savior this year, but he also has a healthy O-line and lots of offensive weapons at his disposal. With an improving O-Line, trading Anderson and then getting a veteran QB would not be a crippling decision.
6 months ago
Anderson didn't turn the Browns around!!! Why can't anyone get it? They didn't make the playoffs, and it's actually his fault because of his play in the last weeks of the season.
They need to trade Anderson as soon as they can. He is not as good as what people think! There is a reason that he was the backup at the beginning of the year. Trade him now for a 1st and 3rd round pick, clear out some cap room, and possibly get another big threat wide receiver or upgrade your defense. Sounds like a no brainer to me.
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