Which Cleveland QB would you want for your fantasy team this season?
Bob Bell and Brian Jester debate…
Derek Anderson
By Bob Bell
OK football fans, here is one of the most competitive QB battles of the year. Brady Quinn is the former Notre Dame QB who was drafted in the first round to be the future franchise QB of the Browns. He is battling against the Browns’ starting QB of the last two years, Derek Anderson, who had stud numbers in the 2007 season and earned a big contract. However, last year he struggled before getting hurt for the last third of the season. The loser of this battle will probably be traded because the Browns’ acquisition of Brett Ratliff from the Jets will make him expendable.
I think Anderson should be the starter because the Browns are rebuilding the receiving corps behind Braylon Edwards. Anderson has the bigger arm and his problems last year were not all his fault. Last year, Edwards tried some new technologically-advanced stone gloves and they didn’t work very well. Even stud TE Kellen Winslow had a severe case of the drops. After Anderson went down, Quinn had the same problems. Quinn may be more accurate than Anderson, but doesn’t throw the long ball as well. Plus, HC Eric Mangini has demonstrated that he would rather have the big play threat from a QB than somewhat of a gun slinger mentality, so this favors Anderson. I believe that the new Browns’ administration and coaching staff has to win soon or else and Anderson gives the Browns the best chance to win games now. Because Quinn hasn’t played much, he still has to acclimate himself to the NFL. In my redraft leagues I’m rolling the dice with Anderson, but in dynasty leagues I would probably lean towards Quinn.
Brady Quinn
By Brian Jester
Fans have been waiting for the day that Brady Quinn becomes the regular starter for the Cleveland Browns, and it looks like the first game in 2009 could be that day. Quinn finally got his feet wet in the NFL when he started three games last season and showed some flashes of being a good starting QB. Like Anderson, Quinn’s receivers struggled with catching passes, which certainly didn’t help Quinn out. There are two reasons why Quinn will win the starting job this season: his accuracy and his ability to protect the football.
When Quinn made his first start last year against the Broncos, the coaching staff developed a game plan far different than what it used with Derek Anderson. There were a lot of short passes with checkdowns and Quinn made the most of his opportunity, completing 65% of his passes for 2 TDs and 0 interceptions. His numbers weren’t as impressive in his second start at Buffalo, but he did lead the team into field goal range at the end of the game. He had some miscommunication with his receivers in the third game and was ultimately benched after his two interceptions. All said and done, he played well and looked poised under center.
It is important for a team with little help at the receiving position (two rookies, stud TE Winslow left) to have a QB that will be accurate and make smart decisions. With Mangini running the show, he will likely want the safer option at QB after seeing gunslinger Brett Favre throw countless interceptions in his late season meltdown. Look for Quinn to win the starting QB position and play all 16 games barring injury.
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