Solution to the Cleveland Browns' Problems: Blame Braylon Edwards!

Why is it that every time a team falters, it's the quarterback's fault? Even though there are 52 other players, it's still the QB's fault.

I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, and thought to myself, "Derek Anderson's being benched?! How unfair! For what?!"

Samuel Bell Jr. had to come to Anderson's rescue. I had the sirens pumping and the adrenaline flowing heavy. If nobody else will defend Anderson, I will. I'm Samuel Bell Jr. and I approve of this message.

Seriously, who suffers the most from today's "win right now" culture? The quarterbacks, and Anderson is just the latest in a long list of QB casualties that came too soon. Didn't Romeo Crennel just endorse Anderson as his definite starter?

I wonder what would happen if a political candidate had that type of support on this Nov. 4 Election Day. Can you say the word "landslide?"

Just one week later, Brady Quinn will start on a short week against the Broncos on the NFL Network.

Maybe Roger Goodell called Crennel and demanded that he do this to create viewership. Let's face it, we want to see how Quinn does in his first start. I know I do, and for most of us who don't have NFL Network, we'll make it to the bar.

I can't think of any other reason that Quinn would start over Anderson so soon. The Browns just came off of a beating handed to the New York Football Giants on a Monday night.

Anderson was great in that game and outperformed Eli Manning.

Here are Anderson's stats from that game:

18/29, 310 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 121.3 Passer Rating

Granted, he threw the pick that ended last week's game against the Ravens, but again, it wasn't solely Anderson's fault. RB Jason Wright didn't turn around in time, knowing his QB was being pressured.

The Browns were very competitive with the Ravens in that game, and Anderson had them playing hard for him. It wasn't like it was a blowout or Anderson played horribly. Here's his stat line from the Ravens game:

17/33, 219 Yards, 2 TD, INT, 80.2 Passer Rating

That isn't the type of performance that should get you benched for an unproven player. We knew that Anderson was on the hook once Roger Goodell called Brady Quinn's name with the Browns 22nd pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.

But this short a hook? It rivals the hook that the security guard from the great show Scrubs wore because of his ice machine incident. How can a QB perform when he's constantly looking over his shoulder?

Whom do we fault here?

We sure can't fault Romeo Crennel. In today's NFL culture, his job is on the line. Nobody cares about loyalty anymore, and the Tennessee Volunteers forcing coach Phillip Fulmer to resign is an example.

Conference titles, National Championships, Super Bowls, playoff berths...who cares? You have a losing season, your job is threatened. Period.

Crennel has to cover his backside, and when the fans are booing your starter and you have pressure from all sides, you make the move.

Since when did fans become the front office and coaching staff? If a guy is playing well, and you're still losing, how is it fair to bench him because of what the impatient fans are saying?

If Penn State listened to the fans, coaching legend Joe Paterno would be watching from his HDTV at home, or his floor model classic. The Nittany's didn't listen, and now are in the BCS talk this season.

Does Derek Anderson need to play better? Of course he does, but to bench him now? The Browns are not out of it yet, and bringing in Quinn now can end up costing them the season.

After starting 1-3, the Browns are 2-2 since and a couple plays from 4-0.

Other players have not performed up to expectations at all for the Browns this season, namely RB Jamal Lewis and the aforementioned Braylon Edwards. The statistics for Edwards are baffling, but still Anderson is blamed for the team's failures.

Here are Edwards' 2008 statistics:

26 Rec., 457 Yards, 3 TD, 13 Drops

Basically, this guy has half the drops as he does receptions. What?

We burned T.O for having 10 drops a year ago in a whole season, and Edwards has more than that after just eight games. Against the Ravens last week, he dropped a TD pass that could've won it for the Browns.

Yet, who gets benched for it? Derek Anderson, as if Edwards hands will change getting passes from Quinn.

When your No. 1 receiver is on pace for a 975, 6 TD, 26 drop year, how can you be blamed for the team's misfortunes?

Anderson has been exactly what he always has, a good QB who sometimes makes questionable, risky throws. He was the same last year but that didn't stop Cleveland from giving him a long-term deal.

Jamal Lewis is on pace for his lowest season total since his injury plagued 2005 year, and the Browns' running game hasn't exactly helped Anderson out.

With WR's Donte Stallworth and Joe Jurevicius missing significant time, and Kellen Winslow looking lost in translation, how can we have the audacity to blame Anderson for Cleveland's woes?!

At the end of the day, we know that QBs take all of the blame for a team's misfortunes. All I ask for is a little accountability for the rest of the team.

If Cleveland wants someone to boo, it should be that tall guy wearing No. 17. If he doesn't focus on the football and make catches, they'll make tofu of Brady Quinn, too.

Unfortunately for Anderson, he may be singing the tune of Blink-182's popular song "Feeling This."

"Fate fell short this time, smile fade to the summer."

And for Anderson and the Browns, what a long summer it may be.