Derek Anderson Shows Lack of Leadership after Poor Practice

Apparently last Thursday both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson had poor practices, both throwing multiple interceptions. This is according to Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

My first reaction when I read this was "Why is this news?" The question I wanted to ask Mr. Doerschuk was "Have you ever played organized football before?" If he did, he would know that this happens in mini-camp and training camp at any level.

Mini-camp and/or spring practice is the first chance for the coaches to work with the players. There are always new and returning players. This is their first opportunity to get to work with each other. Then when you add a new coach to the equation, it is really like starting fresh from square one.

One thing that usually never looks good right away is quarterback and receiver. They have to get their timing down. When you add rookie receivers to the equation, it will take a little longer to get it down.

It also happens that some days the offense dominates and other days the defense does.

D'Qwell Jackson said after the practice that the offense had been lighting them up, but today the defense got after them. That tells me that the defensive coaches or a team captain lit a fire on the defense. That happens in camp.

Therefore, both QBs probably did well the day before. I would be willing to bet that they were learning new plays as well. That makes timing even more difficult.

Based on all that, nobody in Cleveland should be at all concerned over a bad practice. There is no reason for haters of either guy to get excited.

My initial reaction was that it is ridiculous to even report this, but then at the bottom I noticed something that totally got my attention. Apparently, Anderson and an unidentified receiver had a miscommunication. The receiver ran one way and Anderson threw another way. The result was an interception.

After the play, Anderson ran off the field and yelled, "He doesn't know what he's (expletive) doing!"

While I am not concerned about a bad practice, I am very concerned about this. This really shows a lack of leadership.

My guess is that the receiver was either a rookie or one of their new free agents.

Point the finger at your receiver. That will really get them to respect you. You are competing for the starting quarterback job. You can't show frustration like that.

It reminds me of a quote from Any Given Sunday. The coach was lecturing Willie Beamon about being a leader. He said, "You are not a flash in the pan receiver, you're a godd**n quarterback! You are the first guy they look at everyday!"

If Anderson will behave like that, then there is no way he will get respect as a leader from his new teammates.

Quinn, on the other hand, was assessed a penalty lap for not getting a play in on time. My bet is that he wasn't the only guy on the offense who was at fault. However, Quinn didn't complain and ran out his lap hard.

Quinn was already given the edge because he was better in the offseason program. It is still early, but if this kind of thing continues when training camp opens, Manigini's decision will be very easy. That is, if it isn't already.