Brady Quinn Shuts Up His Critics, But There's Still More to Prove

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has to have one of the biggest media filters of any NFL player. He can just shut out all the bad talk about him to continue to play football despite the extreme amounts of pressure that are put on him.

Just look at the photo...Quinn looks like he is having fun.

Fun is a word that has not been said too often regarding the Browns over the past season and a half of football, but versus the Lions, there was nothing but fun on the field.

Easily one of the most (if not the most) entertaining game the Browns have played since 2007, SI.com's Peter King even called this game "...the worst game of the year" going into Sunday, but after the game King said it could have very well been "the game of the year."

Indeed it could be 2009's NFL game of the year.

Both teams are and have been struggling for many years, and the futility of both franchises were put aside in a shootout that may be remembered for many years in the NFL.

No one could have thought the Browns-Lions would be a shootout, most thought these two teams would barely even be able to score a touchdown at all.

Four quarters later and 75 points in the books, the Lions pull out a win with :00 left on the clock.

The Browns are probably kicking themselves for giving up a 24-3 first quarter lead this Monday, since they were in complete control of the Lions both on offense and defense. But proper adjustments by Lions coach Jim Schwartz proved to be too much for Eric Mangini and his staff to be able to handle.

Regardless, of the outcome, there was one player whose possible future star power shined brightly despite all the negativity that is in the press and media, and that player was Quinn who threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns.

What is most surprising about Quinn's performance is his resilience and poise against all the pressure that has been building up on him both inside and outside of football.

The media has been viscous toward Quinn, saying everything from he's too much of a pretty boy, to he's too muscular to play quarterback, and his arm is not strong enough to be a NFL starter.

These are only a few of the things that have been said about Quinn, but on Sunday he shut up his critics by showing he can throw a deep pass, not once, but many times in a single game.

The key to Quinn's success was the protection the Browns' offensive line gave him.

Like most NFL quarterbacks, good protection in the pocket will equate to better accuracy and more production. 

So maybe there are some Browns' fans that are crowning Quinn as the savior already, but please remember this was the Lions, and Quinn still needs to show some consistency before he can get crowned.

Still, Quinn's ability to shoulder all of the pressures of the media and fans shows he can really be the face of the franchise for years to come, because one of the most important characteristics a NFL starting quarterback needs to have is to be able to take extreme amounts of pressure.

Quinn has passed this test, but let's see if he plays at this level for several more game this season and if he can play at a higher level, then maybe the Browns can focus on other positions in the offseason instead of at quarterback.

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)