The Cleveland Browns start training camp at the end of this month, and even though they haven’t played a game in seven months, there is a debate as to who will start the opener at quarterback for the team against the Steelers. It would behoove Romeo Crennel to make that decision early in camp, preferably after the second exhibition game, so whoever it is can gain some continuity with the rest of the first unit.
The candidates are veterans Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, and rookie first round pick Brady Quinn. It would be in the rookie’s best interest not to be thrown to the fire right away, so privately the coaching staff is hoping the former Notre Dame star holds out, so they can justify to the fans why he’s not a candidate to start. They will tell everybody that Quinn simply missed too much camp time to be a viable starter.
Quinn’s agents are going to use the tactic that since he was a top 5 pick on most draft boards, including the Browns, he should be paid like a top five pick. Unfortunately, the truth is, he was the 22nd pick, and the Browns will try to slot Quinn’s deal around the same as last year’s 22nd choice. This difference of opinion will likely lead to the former Irish signal caller not being in camp on time. At best, he will get into the training facility just prior to the first exhibition, er, pre-season game.
That leaves the two veterans with little experience. By all reports, Anderson has looked better in the mini camps, probably because he has a stronger arm and a quicker release. Remember, the offensive line protected better last year when Anderson was in there because they knew where he was, in the pocket. Frye’s mobility backfired when he ran himself into sacks at times. The former Akron QB also seems to lock in on Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr., which helps the defense cheat on those two targets. Anderson seemed to find Joe Jurevicius more than his counterpart, a good thing since Jurevicius has the best hands on the team.
This has the potential to be a real quarterback derby, not the usual staged ones. You know, the ones where the head coach has already predetermined the starter, but talks as if he hasn’t. It is in Romeo Crennel’s best interest to play the guy who is playing the best. If that’s Anderson, I have no doubts that he will start against Pittsburgh. However wins the job has to hit the ground running, because if the Browns don’t get off to a good start, the crowd will start to call for Quinn. The longer the veteran plays well, the more the rookie can sit, watch, and most importantly learn.
The pre-season will mean much for the 2007 Cleveland Browns. For Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, it will be put up or shut up time.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 