It's silly to think that Derek Anderson's stink bomb in Sunday's Pro Bowl would have any effect on his current contract talks with the Cleveland Browns. For starters, the two sides were in negotiations a few weeks ago. Second, that was Anderson's first game action in more than a month, with a completely new team. It's not all that shocking that he struggled (he finished the day 10 of 26 for 103 yards and a pick).
Of course, no other Pro Bowl quarterback had such issues, but I'm not sure if you want to start making regular season personnel decisions based on a glorified game of flag football. The Canton Repository's Steve Doreschuk has some thoughts on Anderson's performance as it relates to his impending new deal:
Neither Anderson nor the Browns is certain whether he will be in Cleveland in 2008. Will his so-so Pro Bowl shade how the Browns or potential suitors view him?And that's the thing: the Pro Bowl doesn't matter, but depending on the market for Anderson's services, there's still a chance he ends up elsewhere in 2008. It's a good problem to have if you're the Browns; even if they can't re-sign Anderson long term, they can tender him as a restricted free agent, and hopefully work out a deal. And if not, they'll have a starting quarterback for next season, and in 2009, Quinn will inherit the job.
One detailed, educated guess: Nothing changes. Contract talks march on. If Anderson winds up back in Cleveland, he starts ahead of Brady Quinn, but winding up elsewhere remains a distinct possibility.
At least that's how it works in theory.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-12-2008 @ 4:03PM
SteelerBill said...
I'm willing to bet that the decline in DA's play has a lot to do with his hearing footsteps. It's kinda like bringing a girl roses even though you know she is about to break up with you.
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2-12-2008 @ 5:49PM
incognito said...
You would like to keep Anderson for a few more years but not at what he wants! Quinn is the future of the Browns, bottom line! There is NO sense of paying Anderson a good chunk of change for a long term deal or even a short term deal if they plan to give the throne to Quinn.
Anderson had a good year. Maybe he was lucky or maybe this is the beginning of decent QB? I highly doubt though that Anderson will be as productive somewhere else right off the bat. Though i do think Quinn can come right in off the bench and produce what Anderson did this year.
I don't see the Browns winning the SB next year, though anything can happen, but why wait to give Quinn the job in 2009 and prolong his maturity?
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2-16-2008 @ 8:48PM
Evil Kokhead said...
DA is the future.. BOTTOM LINE. Regardless of what you say, if DA keeps playing the way he has, then BQ is just going to be Matt Schuab, a good backup. If Da sucks terribly, then try BQ.. But yea, don't fix what isn't broke you BQ bandwagon freak. probably a Notre Dame fan. I was at the Cinn/Cle game early when Anderson started, he tossed 2 bad plays, the crowd was like "brady, brady" (your probably one of those retards aint you?) What if they put Brady in, and he stunk up the house BAD... I bet you'll call for a temp fix with Vinny Testaverde. Leave the decisions up to the professionals, if DA still starts in 2009, there is some reason to it. IF it comes down to money and DA is totally for real, im sure BQ aka Schuab might make a decent trade.
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2-17-2008 @ 2:20PM
Jeffrey League said...
I agree I am so sick of everyone chnating brady all the time. DA is a good qb and a year older than BQ he needs more time to grow. Vince Young had a bad yr this year I dont see Ten shouting for his job. We need to be paitent and give DA a few years to prove himself
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2-19-2008 @ 10:58AM
dave said...
d/a is the only qb that had a great line a better the good running back and two good recievers, yet he consistently dug holes by throwing interceptions on the road.... many in the red zone.... hes average at best and he does dont seem to want to improve his game. other players in the nfl think hes the 2007 version of vinny the interception king testerverde. trade him if the team gets a 1st round draft pik offer before he ruins this young team.
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