Should the Browns go to Brady Quinn?

[SBR Lou]

Apparently Romeo Crennel doesn't think so.

Derek is the starter vs Cincinnati, got to assume if he tanks there against the lowly Bengals a change will have to be made.

[McBa1n]

Well - this is a really tough decision.
Cleveland's troubles on O aren't at the QB position. At least I don't see it that way.
Just watching Cleve's game vs Balt - their protection was terrible, and only 1 of the picks and a couple of the incomplete passes were on him. That's fine - he was under pressure the whole game, it happens. It also doesn't help when your receivers can't get open. Baltimore was only giving him underneath stuff, and he was fine in that regard. When they gave him 1 on 1 opportunities, his receivers did almost nothing to get seperation. They ran the football well enough to set up some good play action situations - and there was just nowhere to go with the ball.

The problem is not Anderson so much as they've now played 3 teams in a row that roll some of the best pass rush/coverage teams in the NFL in Dallas, Pitts and Baltimore. Granted, a good QB finds a way to win the game - the Browns are not that good to begin with. They are 8-8 9-7 good, but their schedule is brutal. Put Tom Brady under center with that team, I think they're 1-2 at best - their O Line is not that good at pass protection. Their backs do a good job of picking up blitzers, but Cleve is really inept at their line calls and getting linemen around to build a good pocket... So many linemen are getting beat this year - and so many guys come in free and unblocked (something good 3-4 defenses can do). Anderson is mobile, but not THAT mobile, and Quinn would also be 0-3 at this point.

I really like being patient with young QBs and giving them time to develop - and to be honest, no matter what, Cleveland is not going anywhere this year, obviously. I think everyone knew that looking at their schedule. Granted, that's usually a good time to bring in a young QB - but it's still too early. I think even raising the question this week is bad for the team. The only way Anderson can make that noise go away is to win this weekend... As these things with young QBs eventually take on a life of their own and it normally starts outside the team - and with the media.

I think if Cleveland at least waited til around week 10, after they are ALMOST eliminated from contention - then it wouldn't be a bad decision to make the switch. Who knows if Quinn is ready... Playing o.k. against 3rd stringers and guys not in the NFL anymore isn't all that impressive in the preseason. Quinn proved he could do that - and that shows he's mature enough to be close. Only Cleveland knows where he's at, really.

I think waiting is the right decision. But I'm not going to kid myself - even though they gave Anderson a great contract. Obviously Quinn will start, but it's at least a month away before it's an option IMO.