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By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:22 p.m. EDT, Aug 19, 2009
BEREA: Derek Anderson might not find out until 24 hours before kickoff whether he's starting Saturday night's preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
And that might be a good thing.
As he battles Brady Quinn for the Browns' starting quarterback job, Anderson might be facing the biggest game he's played since his four-interception debacle at Cincinnati in 2007 cost the Browns a playoff berth.
It will also mark the first time Anderson has stepped before a big crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium since Nov. 30, when fans cheered as his season ended with a knee injury.
Anderson does not have a track record of handling pressure well. Besides that windy afternoon in Paul Brown Stadium, his inconsistent preseason performance against Charlie Frye in 2007 when Anderson did not throw a touchdown pass in four games is another prime example. The coaching staff was ready to hand him the job then, and he fumbled it away, at least until Frye was traded after a disastrous opener.
Asked if he felt the clock ticking and the scrutiny building before coach Eric Mangini makes a decision, Anderson said, ''You guys have got like a watch on it, a calendar and an hour and a minute.''
Mangini probably does not care that Anderson went to the Pro Bowl in 2007, leading the Browns to a 10-5 record when they had an easy schedule and their opponents had no scouting report on him. Anderson is 13-14 as a starter from 2006-08, 3-6 last season.
Asked if he hopes home fans embrace Anderson this time, tight end Steve Heiden said, ''If we win games, I don't think there will be any problem embracing anybody.''
Perhaps, but this is Quinn's town and Anderson is the underdog.
''I always feel that way when I'm coming in competing,'' Anderson said Wednesday. ''Even when I knew I was coming back as the starter, I prepared the same way — always competing, always trying to get better.''
No one knows if Mangini has made up his mind or when he will. He has said he wouldn't use both quarterbacks in the regular season, but then he said he would flip-flop the starters in preseason Games 1 and 2 and he's publicly hedging on that now.
He seems more obsessed with keeping Quinn's and Anderson's reps equal, saying going into Wednesday's practice they were separated by only four snaps. In last weekend's loss at Green Bay, Quinn played 17 plays to Anderson's five.
The only thing that seems certain is that Mangini is in no hurry to make a choice.
''In terms of timetable, to me it's about going through and making the right decision, not the quick decision,'' Mangini said. ''You want to be sure that you've done the work to make sure that decision is correct.''
Asked if he'd like to have the starter set by the third preseason game Aug. 29, traditionally the season dress rehearsal, Mangini said: ''Not necessarily, no. If it works out that way, then I'm OK with that. I think it would be another good opportunity to see where we're at.''
But he resisted an opportunity to praise Anderson's field management and leadership, saying: ''He's done a nice job with recognizing things. Yesterday I wasn't pleased with either guy; they were on the list of 80. Overall both guys are getting a greater awareness each week of 'OK, here's what the issues are, here's the tools I have available and here's how I need to approach it.' I look forward to seeing his progress.''
If Anderson is frustrated with the situation, he's not letting on. Asked how much he'd like to play against the Lions in a perfect world, Anderson said, ''The world's not perfect.''
He said he doesn't dwell on the mistakes he makes in practice every night.
''I wouldn't say I analyze it like that,'' he said. ''When I go back to my room, I write things down. The things that I think I did good, the things I think I need to do better the next day. So when I get back in the situation the next time, hopefully I handle it correctly.''
As he steps onto the field Saturday night, Anderson might review that list, and the advice he recently received from former Browns and Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer.
''Trent was good about saying, 'You were born with God-given ability; use it, trust it. Do the things you have done and go play,' '' he said.
Tucker absent
Right tackle Ryan Tucker, who was apparently injured Monday, was not on the field with those riding the exercise bikes, making some wonder if he was again contemplating retirement. A Browns spokesman said that was not the case. Also sitting out were Shaun Rogers, Paul Hubbard, David Bowens, Jerome Harrison and David Patten.
No Steeler gear here
Joshua Cribbs spotted Seth Cooper, a 17-year-old from Sandusky, sitting in the bleachers wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers No. 56 jersey and approached him.
''Who's his dad?'' Cribbs asked. ''I can't believe you all let him sit there like that.''
Later in the session, Cribbs gave Cooper at Browns T-shirt.
''Coach said you can't do that,'' Cribbs told him. ''Put this on over it.'' Cooper later complied.
Brownies
The final training camp practice open to the public will be next Wednesday. Next week's schedule has one practice a day (1:30-3:30 p.m.) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. . . . Today's practice also begins at 1:30. Call 1-877-6BROWNS in case of rain. . . . Mangini on facing Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, whom he coached last year with the Jets, in the Sept. 13 regular-season opener: ''I think it makes for good TV.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
BEREA: Derek Anderson might not find out until 24 hours before kickoff whether he's starting Saturday night's preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
And that might be a good thing.
As he battles Brady Quinn for the Browns' starting quarterback job, Anderson might be facing the biggest game he's played since his four-interception debacle at Cincinnati in 2007 cost the Browns a playoff berth.
It will also mark the first time Anderson has stepped before a big crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium since Nov. 30, when fans cheered as his season ended with a knee injury.
Anderson does not have a track record of handling pressure well. Besides that windy afternoon in Paul Brown Stadium, his inconsistent preseason performance against Charlie Frye in 2007 when Anderson did not throw a touchdown pass in four games is another prime example. The coaching staff was ready to hand him the job then, and he fumbled it away, at least until Frye was traded after a disastrous opener.
Asked if he felt the clock ticking and the scrutiny building before coach Eric Mangini makes a decision, Anderson said, ''You guys have got like a watch on it, a calendar and an hour and a minute.''
Mangini probably does not care that Anderson went to the Pro Bowl in 2007, leading the Browns to a 10-5 record when they had an easy schedule and their opponents had no scouting report on him. Anderson is 13-14 as a starter from 2006-08, 3-6 last season.
Asked if he hopes home fans embrace Anderson this time, tight end Steve Heiden said, ''If we win games, I don't think there will be any problem embracing anybody.''
Perhaps, but this is Quinn's town and Anderson is the underdog.
''I always feel that way when I'm coming in competing,'' Anderson said Wednesday. ''Even when I knew I was coming back as the starter, I prepared the same way — always competing, always trying to get better.''
No one knows if Mangini has made up his mind or when he will. He has said he wouldn't use both quarterbacks in the regular season, but then he said he would flip-flop the starters in preseason Games 1 and 2 and he's publicly hedging on that now.
He seems more obsessed with keeping Quinn's and Anderson's reps equal, saying going into Wednesday's practice they were separated by only four snaps. In last weekend's loss at Green Bay, Quinn played 17 plays to Anderson's five.
The only thing that seems certain is that Mangini is in no hurry to make a choice.
''In terms of timetable, to me it's about going through and making the right decision, not the quick decision,'' Mangini said. ''You want to be sure that you've done the work to make sure that decision is correct.''
Asked if he'd like to have the starter set by the third preseason game Aug. 29, traditionally the season dress rehearsal, Mangini said: ''Not necessarily, no. If it works out that way, then I'm OK with that. I think it would be another good opportunity to see where we're at.''
But he resisted an opportunity to praise Anderson's field management and leadership, saying: ''He's done a nice job with recognizing things. Yesterday I wasn't pleased with either guy; they were on the list of 80. Overall both guys are getting a greater awareness each week of 'OK, here's what the issues are, here's the tools I have available and here's how I need to approach it.' I look forward to seeing his progress.''
If Anderson is frustrated with the situation, he's not letting on. Asked how much he'd like to play against the Lions in a perfect world, Anderson said, ''The world's not perfect.''
He said he doesn't dwell on the mistakes he makes in practice every night.
''I wouldn't say I analyze it like that,'' he said. ''When I go back to my room, I write things down. The things that I think I did good, the things I think I need to do better the next day. So when I get back in the situation the next time, hopefully I handle it correctly.''
As he steps onto the field Saturday night, Anderson might review that list, and the advice he recently received from former Browns and Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer.
''Trent was good about saying, 'You were born with God-given ability; use it, trust it. Do the things you have done and go play,' '' he said.
Tucker absent
Right tackle Ryan Tucker, who was apparently injured Monday, was not on the field with those riding the exercise bikes, making some wonder if he was again contemplating retirement. A Browns spokesman said that was not the case. Also sitting out were Shaun Rogers, Paul Hubbard, David Bowens, Jerome Harrison and David Patten.
No Steeler gear here
Joshua Cribbs spotted Seth Cooper, a 17-year-old from Sandusky, sitting in the bleachers wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers No. 56 jersey and approached him.
''Who's his dad?'' Cribbs asked. ''I can't believe you all let him sit there like that.''
Later in the session, Cribbs gave Cooper at Browns T-shirt.
''Coach said you can't do that,'' Cribbs told him. ''Put this on over it.'' Cooper later complied.
Brownies
The final training camp practice open to the public will be next Wednesday. Next week's schedule has one practice a day (1:30-3:30 p.m.) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. . . . Today's practice also begins at 1:30. Call 1-877-6BROWNS in case of rain. . . . Mangini on facing Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, whom he coached last year with the Jets, in the Sept. 13 regular-season opener: ''I think it makes for good TV.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:27 AM, 08/20/2009
Nice to see someone on the team understands the rivalry. Go Josh. I hope the team gives you a new contract that keeps you here until you retire. You are a class act and true pro.
Naples, FL
Posted 06:12 AM, 08/20/2009
Marla...you once again prove exactly the reason Romeo outsmarted you media people by using a coin flip. Anderson has 6 snaps so far this season, Brady, like 14 and you are saying the second preseason game is the most important of his career. Let the QB's and Mangini do their jobs and get it right and quit rushing it.
Stow, OH
Posted 09:26 AM, 08/20/2009
It doesn't matter who is QB,if they don't trade for a running back soon the guy standing back there throwing the ball won't have a prayer when the defense knows it is coming .Lewis is nothing more than a 3rd down back at best ,you have to run the ball or the defenses will gang rush you all day.
akron, oh
Posted 09:27 AM, 08/20/2009
HOw much more depressing does this have to get? Oops! I forgot the regular season is coming up.
Spring Lake, Mi
Posted 10:29 AM, 08/20/2009
Trade "I can't catch the ball" Edwards for a RB!
Posted 03:02 PM, 08/20/2009
Anderson has had more than enough time to prove he is a starter. From my point of view, he is now a known quantity. Forget the six snaps this season. In the Browns 10 and 6 season, the competition had his number even before the "Bungle in the Jungle". He is a one dimensional quarterback who defenses can easily prepare for.
Posted 11:44 AM, 08/21/2009
Joshua Cribbs spotted Seth Cooper, a 17-year-old from Sandusky, sitting in the bleachers wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers No. 56 jersey and approached him.
''Who's his dad?'' Cribbs asked. ''I can't believe you all let him sit there like that.''
Later in the session, Cribbs gave Cooper at Browns T-shirt.
''Coach said you can't do that,'' Cribbs told him. ''Put this on over it.'' Cooper later complied.
GOOD STUFF CRIBBS! GOOD STUFF!
