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The Spectacle Blog

The Browns That Couldn't Shoot Straight

By W. James Antle, III on 3.15.10 @ 1:35PM

So the Cleveland Browns' seemingly endless quarterback competition between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn has finally come to an end. Both quarterbacks lost. Anderson was released by the Browns last week; Quinn has been dealt to the Denver Broncos. My guess is neither will be starters next season.

In 2007, Anderson was a Pro Bowl quarterback who threw 29 touchdowns and led the hapless Browns to a 10-6 record. That same year, Cleveland drafted Quinn in the first round. The ensuing quarterback controversy that saw both of them repeatedly yanked in and out of the starter role -- a desperate attempt to breathe life into the Browns' lackluster offense -- helped make them both worse players. In seven starts last season, Anderson completed only 45 percent of his passes and threw for 888 yards, three touchdowns, and ten interceptions. His passer rating was a godawful 42.1.

Quinn wasn't much better. He completed only 53 percent of his passes last season for 1,339 yards with eight touchdowns (four of which came against the Detroit Lions, who still ended up beating the Quinn-led Browns) and seven interceptions. He has gone 3-9 as a starter and last year his passer rating was a poor 67.3. Ultimately, the Browns decided to replace him with Jake Delhomme, whose downward spiral last year led him to throw 18 interception to just eight touchdowns in 11 games, ending up with a passer rating lower than Quinn's.

Delhomme's defenders argue that since his elbow surgery, he has had too much arm strength for his own good. If he could just fix his overthrowing problem, he could get back to playing at a high level. Delhomme is by all accounts a good guy, so I hope this is true. But I'm skeptical: why didn't this problem affect him until that playoff game against Arizona during the 2008 season? He led the Carolina Panthers to a 12-4 record during that regular season. It seems to me that his problem is a loss of poise (which may be fixable) and being washed up at 35 (which is probably not). But we'll see. This could be Seneca Wallace's year.

View all comments (10) | Leave a comment

Pete | 3.15.10 @ 4:09PM

I like Jake personally, but if he couldn't get right with an awesome running game in Carolina and a great WR in Steve Smith (and nice weather), he has no chance of success in Cleveland. As a Steelers fan, this pleases me. Seneca might get you a few flashy wins with his feet, but ultimately you are just losing time as a franchise if you start him. See: Steelers circa late 90s, early 2000s w/Kordell.

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Mary Rossi| 3.16.10 @ 12:44AM

Keep the noise down. I'm trying to water my plants!

Derek Leaberry| 3.16.10 @ 9:38AM

The Browns have been poorly coached with a high schoolish offensive scheme. Getting Wallace and Delholme as quarterbacks will add to the offensive malaise. The Browns should have kept Anderson and adopted a New England scheme using Jordan Shipley as their version of Wes Welker. But those running the Browns have little imagination.

Quinn for Hillis was a good trade, however, and Hillis would be a good fit as a feature back.

astorian| 3.16.10 @ 10:15AM

On one hand, Seneca Wallace vs. Jake Delhomme for the starting QB job can't be too excitring for Browns' fans.

On the other hand, Mike Holmgren has been around the best quarterbacks i nthe business, and knows what he's doing. If he sees something in Seneca Wallace (a phenomenal athlete at Iowa State, though a "project" as a quarterback), I'd give hi mthe benefit of the doubt.

And I'm pretty sure he's not done looking for a real quarterback ofr the future. If somebody like Colt McCoy is still on the board in the 2nd round, I can see the Browns taking him- and they wouldn't be sorry.

P. Gunderson| 3.16.10 @ 11:03AM

At 5'11", Wallace is too short. Maybe they can make HIM their Wes Welker. I think Brady could have learned if Holgrem stayed involved, but no use talking about that option now. Delhomme? If he was 30 I'd be ecstatic, but he is 35. The Browns (my Browns, yes, a die hard, life long fan...sadly) will draft a QB, but it will have to be a guy that Holgrem sees something in and be at least the 2nd round. Mid-season, sh*t can Magini, take over the coaching job, and make them win. Is it so much to ask? Also, Daboll has to go, his play calling is pathetic. He didn't trust Quinn so we ended up with 3 yard screen passes when it was 4th and 8. EVERY FREAKIN' TIME!!! Pray for me folks, I need it every fall. Best Regards, Paul

Mike M| 3.16.10 @ 11:16AM

Let's see...Cleveland is in the heart of the "rust belt." So it is approptiate the Browns are Orange and Brown, the colors of rust.
At least Vinny Testaverde finally did win his superbowl...In Dallas.

Eric Damon| 3.16.10 @ 3:56PM

Why change quarterbacks when the problem is the coach? Mangini was terrible with the Brownies, yet Mike "Koo-koo-ka-choo, the walrus" Holmgren keeps him around? Decisions like that are why the Brownies stink and will continue to stink! If you're gonna clean house, clean house...and the house cleaning should have started with Mangenious and his sorry ass staff!

astorian| 3.17.10 @ 11:17AM

"Koo-koo-ka-choo" was from "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel "I Am the Walrus" used the line "Goo Goo Ga Joob."

It's a CRUCIAL lyrical difference.

P. Gunderson| 3.18.10 @ 8:47AM

Astorian, I was thinking the same thing....even though it's off topic. (as a matter of fact, my screen saver on my work PC is 'goo goo ga joob') However, to find fellow Browns AND Beatles fans in one place, is still priceless. Browns question: If the Cardinals signed Anderson, can we have Leinart? (guessed on spelling) I never thought he got a fair shake in AZ. As if DA and BQ really did in Cleveland...especially BQ.