Another Heartbreaker as Tigers Sweep Tribe
September 4, 2009Hood: Uncertainty Rules the Locker Room
September 4, 2009
A lot of Browns fans were shocked to see that neither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson would be playing during last night’s game against the Bears. For a quarterback controversy that had allegedly not been decided to this point, the surprise makes sense.
However, if you look at the other side of the coin, not playing the two quarterbacks does two things:
1) It keeps the decision in Eric Mangini’s court. A few snaps at this point in the season would not make either quarterback better, especially at the cost of the downside of injury. All it takes is one play; if either quarterback were to succumb to even a minor nick, not only does that take the decision out of Mangini’s hands, it also decreases the value of the other QB.
2) It (supposedly) keeps the Minnesota Vikings guessing.
Now, to that second point. A recent interview with Brian Billick touched on the quarterback situation. Billick’s point was that it isn’t like Quinn and Anderson are very different in terms of skill set. Sure, one throws a little further, and the other has more a presence in the huddle. But we are not talking about one being a run-first, athletic type versus a pocket passer – similar to the Todd Boeckman/Terrelle Pryor use of last season.
Factor in the new of the Browns making a waiver claim on yet another quarterback, albeit a failed one, and it seems that there is little chance that both quarterbacks will be on this roster for the duration of the 2009 NFL season.
Of course, Mangini was mum on the situation following last night’s contest.
“In terms of the quarterbacks, I have no additional information on that. There’s nothing really to add. The information I have based on what they’ve done at this point is what the decision will be based on.”
And on the failed attempt at claiming Kevin O’Connel?
“Something internal, so we’ll leave it at that.”
Recall that Brett Ratliff was traded for by Mangini on draft day. His roster spot is pretty much a lock at this point – and it is not far-fetched to imagine that Mangini would like Ratliff to be the team’s No., 2 quarterback, instead of a third/emergency type role.
There were talks that the Jacksonville Jaguars were hot on the trail of another quarterback to back-up David Garrard. They recently added the abovementioned Todd Boeckman, but one would have to imagine that they would prefer Anderson if the cost was right. Other NFL teams that could be looking for an additional QB include the New York Jets (put in a claim for O’Connel), New England (no Cassell and recently released a back-up QB), Denver (they also put in a claim for O’Connel and Kyle Orton is their starter), Chicago (Caleb Haine is currently their No. 2), and St. Louis (Marc Bulger has a broken finger).
Of course, this is all based on the mosaic theory. We are just piecing different thoughts together, looking to come to a conclusion. There may be just as good of a chance that Anderson is holding the clipboard come September 13th when Brett Favre and company role into town. If that’s the case, Anderson will be holding that clipboard while making approximately $7 million.
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(image via selina_aman/Flickr)
27 Comments
Enough of this needless mystery and counter-productive gamesmanship.
Does anyone really think that the Minnesota Vikings are wetting their pants because they don’t know who will start at QB for us?
Jeez, get a grip, Mangini.
Saying he is trying to keep Minny guessing is Mangini speak for “we are shopping him throughout the league”
Why do the Vikings care who the starting QB is when they’re going to be able to run all over our porous defense?
Just take the 4th rounder for DA and be done with the nonsensical game. Let your team know who their leader is. Give Ratstiff the backup job, at least there won’t be any remaining QB controversy.
Maybe we’re going to name Anderson the starter and pull him after a horrendous start on opening day and then trade him before week 2.
Take that Derek! Payback’s a *%$@%!
(At this point I’m over it and truthfully don’t care WHO starts I’d just like to know who it’s going to be.)
It’s time to start prepping this team for the future.
Bye bye DA.
Bye bye JL.
This team isn’t making the playoffs with or without those guys. Get some draft picks for them and move on with the youngsters.
To the Broncos for Marshall straight up?
I like where RobGoBlue’s heads’z at – let’s turn the Browns into the Tribe, whee!
Denver almost seems too logical a place for him to end up. Their QB is Kyle Orton for Pete’s sake.
Was just over at the OBR. Rumor has it in Boston that Belicheck wants one of our QB’s. He wants an experienced backup for Tom Brady.
Maybe Mangini knew that if he named either BQ or DA the starter early on that half the city would be against him since it was such a divisive subject. I use “was” in that last sentence because it’s at the point where no one cares anymore, we just want a starter to be named and we’ll (all) be happy.
I get to spew my ridiculous theories too.
I seriously can’t believe this is still a raging debate. I was tired of it 2 years ago…
At this point I honestly don’t care, name Bret Ratliff your starter if you want as long as the quarterback controversy isn’t the constant distraction.
I can see a deal happening with the 49ers, Broncos, or Rams. None of those teams has a solid starting QB and DA or BQ could go there and take over. I say pull off a deal and take some pressure off of whichever QB gets the nod and end the controversy for good.
It’s tough to name a starter when you’ve got two backups to choose from.
And as far as keeping Minnesota guessing, unless Brady or D.A. can stop the run or run against that defense, the Browns aren’t winning that game.
I can see it now, DA to New England. Belicheck coaches him better DA becomes pro bowlish again. Belicheck laughs in Mangini’s face again.
[…] Quinn and Derek Anderson know where they stand. Putting more stock into that statement are the rumors that Anderson could be traded sooner rather than later. I think its generally understood that this is Quinn’s job, but that Mangini hasn’t told […]
@15. laughing. Maybe Belicheck would finagle it for spite. Nice post.
all i know is that it doesn’t matter who plays, the Browns don’t have a #1QB. so drop it all ready and hurry up getting to 1-5
If the Lerner had a brain (cough cough), they would have traded Anderson two years ago when he was HOT (a la Matt “Fiasco” Cassel to the Chiefs this offseason).
No wonder Lerner is ranked 28th of 32 NFL owners….
Actually, if there is any truth to Belichick sniffing around the QBs, I’d think it more likely he’d go after Quinn, given BQ’s experience under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. That said, I still think that the decision has been made and Quinn is the starter. DA to the Broncos really does seem to fit, but I want no talk of anything Brandon Marshall-related in such a deal–one headcase diva wideout is plenty for me.
one shoe drops…?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/04/patriots-wave-goodbye-to-andrew-walter/
Patriots just cut Andrew Walter, Hoyer is the backup now…I’d say DA to the Patriots is a possibility.
To those saying, just name one…I think and hope you meant to say, name Quinn. Anybody that is ok with DA as the starter should be living underneath a bridge in the flats. He’s not accurate enough to be long term success in this league. Quinn, may have his flaws, but we’re at that sink or swim moment.
I like picks for DA, but wouldn’t mind stealing a pass rusher off some good teams bench.
@23- I can live with DA as the starter. He played decently enough, but Quinn did prove that he deserved this job.
A team no one has really mentioned is Buffalo. They have Lee Evans and TO there, and a not-so-stellar Trent Edwards throwing it to them. I would agree though that Mangini not playing either QB means one of them (DA) is on the block.
dump DA already and let Joe Montana Jr. start his career
[…] There’s speculation all over the grid that Mangini’s decision to sit both Quinn and Anderson last night had a purpose: resting Quinn for the starting role in Week One, and positioning Anderson for a trade that will happen over the next 48 hours. People speculate that the Browns and Pats couldn’t be talking–the Belichick/Mangini feud would prevent that, right? Nonsense. If the deal makes sense for both coaches and both teams, the trigger will be pulled. […]
They’re both going to line up on every play. The first one to throw a ball to Bray that he holds onto will get the nod.