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Quarterback might go three quarters, but not all offensive weapons will be at his disposal
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008
BEREA: Brady Quinn will be sitting in the cockpit he's long dreamed of today.
He might not be able to go full throttle because a couple of key wingmen will be missing. But it's a start.
The Cleveland football rock star, er . . . Browns backup quarterback, has been waiting for a chance to play with the first team. Last November, General Manager Phil Savage said directing a high-powered offense behind a rebuilt offensive line was ''a pretty good cockpit to be in right now.''
Because starter Derek Anderson is sidelined with a concussion, Quinn gets his wish this afternoon as the Browns (0-2) visit the Detroit Lions (2-0) for a 4 p.m. preseason game at Ford Field. But Quinn, the former Notre Dame star and 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, won't have the Browns' full complement of weapons.
Also among the injured who will sit out are running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), receiver Braylon Edwards (stitches in his foot), free safety Brodney Pool (concussion), linebacker Willie McGinest (groin) and receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs (high-ankle sprain). Other regulars rehabbing after surgeries include right guard Ryan Tucker (hip) and linebacker Antwan Peek (knee).
''We're a little bit down in numbers right now, but we've got some great talent,'' Quinn said Wednesday.
Quinn especially relishes the spot behind the first-team line.
''It's comfortable back there,'' he said. ''They provide
you with a lot of cushion, a lot of time. You can kind of sit back and survey the field. It's a good view.''
His preseason playing time has never been more than about a half, but could stretch to three quarters against the Lions because the Browns have only Quinn and Ken Dorsey at quarterback. Coach Romeo Crennel declined to say who would serve as the emergency No. 3.
''That would be fun, first time doing that in a while,'' Quinn said of three quarters of action. ''I should probably start running. I don't know why I'm talking to you guys for so long.''
Thus far in preseason, Quinn is the Browns' highest-rated quarterback with a 93.6 passer rating, compared to Anderson's 81.3 and Dorsey's 58.6. Quinn has completed 20-of-29 passes for 257 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
On Monday night against the New York Giants, Quinn took over when Anderson was hurt on a sack with 13:17 left in the second quarter and the Browns trailing 30-3. Quinn closed the gap to 30-24 before the Giants prevailed 37-34, with the Browns' last touchdown produced with Dorsey at quarterback.
Quinn's numbers against the Giants were 7-of-12 passing for 124 yards and a touchdown (a 44-yarder to Syndric Steptoe) with no interceptions and a 121.5 rating.
''Brady was on point. He had a lot of good throws, a couple good drives. He played a great game,'' Steptoe said.
''I thought he managed the team pretty well,'' Crennel said of Quinn. ''He threw a lot of long passes, he was able to pick up blitzes, he got away from some pressure. I think he did a lot of things well.
''Getting more playing time will help him be more comfortable with the offense. You're thinking about a thousand things and you have guys coming at you a thousand miles per hour, so if you can slow that down, you are able to operate better. I think he'll be able to slow that down some this week.''
Against the Lions, Quinn might have to resist the temptation to throw to Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow on every down.
''Everyone knows Kellen is tremendously talented,'' Quinn said. ''Any time you have him on the field you want to try to get him the ball. But you don't want to stray too far from your reads. You don't want to force anything.''
Another major option for Quinn will be receiver Donte' Stallworth, whom he has worked with little.
''The thing people underestimate is those guys are so good, it doesn't take a whole lot to get on the same page,'' Quinn said.
He wasn't sure how many family members would make the trip from his hometown of Dublin, Ohio, especially with the hatred between Notre Dame and Michigan fans. But with Anderson the anointed starter, Quinn knows this is his chance to earn brownie points with Crennel and Savage. They will likely decide between Anderson and Quinn after the season, probably trading one.
But even with what's at stake in the future, Quinn didn't think he'd have butterflies today.
''I try to be more calm, cool and laid back,'' he said. ''It's our job, but it's a game. You've got to have fun with it, especially being my first time to start. It's a great opportunity. I'm looking forward to it.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Brady Quinn will be sitting in the cockpit he's long dreamed of today.
Get the full article here.
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