It's often said that a team with two quarterbacks really doesn't have any. With that spirit in mind, FanHouse will keep you updated weekly on NFL teams facing potential quarterback controversies.
We're here every week, hoping to make some sense of quarterback issues facing teams in the NFL. Sometimes, it feels like we're picking on Eric Mangini and the Cleveland Browns. However, at 0-3, and with little reason to think the problems in the passing game are just going to disappear, the Browns again find themselves at the top of the heap.
Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson
When Quinn got the hook Sunday, the hope was that the offense would start to click. Instead, things appeared to get worse. Anderson threw three picks and could only muster a field goal, as the Ravens torched Cleveland 34-3.
Despite Anderson's horrific performance, Cleveland coach Eric Mangini has named him the starter for Sunday's game against suddenly resurgent Cincinnati. The hope is that a week to prepare will allow Anderson to be more successful (wouldn't take much), and it also gives the coaches a chance to put in a gameplan that tailors itself more to Anderson's deep-ball skills than Quinn's checkdown game.
The problem with a checkdown quarterback is that you generally need elite talent elsewhere on the field for him to be successful. Cleveland lacks that kind of talent, leaving Quinn on an island when it's time to throw. In that regard, the Browns could very well be better off with the high-risk, high-reward style Anderson brings to the table.
Or maybe not.
Status update: Hot
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Johnson, Josh Freeman, and Byron Leftwich
The Browns weren't the only team to make a switch at quarterback for their next game. After an 0-3 start with Leftwich under center, one that included a performance against the Giants on Sunday that could best be described as "hopelessly inept," the Bucs have seen enough.
Leftwich is out, and Johnson starts Sunday at Washington, as the Redskins try to avoid a 1-3 disaster. It's not so much anything Leftwich did wrong. Instead, it appears Tampa coach Raheem Morris has recognized this is a lost season, so he might as well see what his youngsters have before it's too late. Might as well start with the guy he just recently labeled a "career backup."
The Buccaneers will go with first-round pick Freeman as the backup, meaning Leftwich is relegated to baseball cap/clipboard/hand signals duty for the foreseeable future.
Status update: Very warm
St. Louis Rams: Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller
The change here was made out of necessity Sunday, as Bulger was injured against the Packers. It doesn't sound like he will miss significant time, but rookie coach Steve Spagnuolo got a good look at Boller in live action.
While the results weren't great, the Rams showed some potential, scoring on three straight possessions around halftime to make things very interesting before Green Bay was able to pull away. They hardly looked explosive, nor did they remind anyone of the Saints, but the offense moved with Boller at the helm, once he figured out his receivers weren't eight feet tall.
Spagnuolo is likely to stick with a healthy Bulger, but if he's ineffective for an extended period, he has to know that Boller can step in and competently run the offense. It might not lead to an immediate change at quarterback, but it could make Bulger's leash a bit shorter.
Status update: Warm
Carolina Panthers: Jake Delhomme, Matt Moore, and A.J. Feeley
Every time Delhomme throws a killer interception, you wonder how much longer he has, especially as Feeley continues to gain knowledge of the team and the offense. It seems that Delhomme is getting close to his last chance, because coach John Fox can ill afford to keep losing games in gut-wrenching fashion.
The 0-3 Panthers appear to be sticking with the veteran Delhomme for now. Nothing will change this week, as the team has their bye week. This situation certainly is worth a close eye when Carolina hosts Washington in Week 5.
Status update: Warm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-30-2009 @ 2:57PM
rjw6683 said...
Any chance us Browns fans could trade tickets for some of those paper bags the Lions fans planted on their heads all last season? It looks like we would get a better use out of them this season.
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9-30-2009 @ 3:22PM
Victor said...
let me see Brady had one interception, Anderson had three. I'll start Anderson!!!!! It really doesn't matter anyway.
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9-30-2009 @ 3:44PM
thomas said...
I really wish Fox would bench Delhomme now, and play Matt Moore...might as well see if hes got what it takes to be our QB of the future, since were not catching the Saints and likely not getting a wild card spot. Plus, he would have two weeks to prepare...but that would take Fox admitting it was wrong to sign Delhomme to a long contract in the first place.
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9-30-2009 @ 6:50PM
Bubbameister33 said...
I agree or sign Jeff Garcia and see what he does. No playoffs this year for us.
9-30-2009 @ 6:18PM
daveenlakwood said...
Just watched Derek Andersons interview... he was asked how he felt about the fans..... said he doesn't care, shook his head like a jackass with vengance, and that is why this piece of crap will be a smuck forver.... he's the dude thats dividing the locker room. he's the guy that throws into coverage, he's the guy that gets sacked by invisible defensive guys.... he's the qb that from the sideline gets 15 yard penalities.... well, you no what Derek.... we hate your friggin guts dude.... for the worst rated qb in the league last year you certainly cashed in pretty good.... youre a punk, a total punk..... and Quinn, handled his interview with total class, stand up guy likable.... youre not likeable Derek.... you a dude full of anomosity and hope karma gets you jerk..... the quicker you leave town for the last time, the quicker our team gets better..... my prediction you'll throw 3 picks, 1 for a td the other way by the rookie we passed up......just picked up the bengals defense for fantasy team...... bengals 37-13.... and the end of Anderson as a starter .......
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9-30-2009 @ 6:21PM
jonanthony757 said...
I just hope the RAIDERS DON'T LET THIS GET TO FAR OUT OF HAND WITH THIS BOY RUSSEL HE'S NOT QB WE NEED MAKE A TRADE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE !!
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10-01-2009 @ 7:45AM
flyboy4000 said...
I have heard from my source inside the lockerroom a few things that really might disturb Browns fans... apparently, Mangini felt he was forced to name Quinn because of fan support, so he told Dabolt, the offesive coordinator that looks like uncle fester from the adams family,to keep tight reins on Quinn and do not let him go downfield much... in otherwards, they held out receiver help and plays to despose of Quinn's popularity, in an effort to get their own guy Ratliff in there soon.... The DA move is temporary... three players went to Mangini to knife Quinn in the back.... Edwards, Derek Anderson and Brandon MacDonald..... in the lockerroom, Derek is the leader of the malcontents and the group that hate the Cleveland fans because they want the country club atmosphere, no work ethic approach, and they have won now that Mangini is under fire.... Brandon Macdonald has been telling friends their are enough of us still here to drive out the coach if he don't play ball our way.... which is like a thug that collects checks for free without giving any effort....so now we have a new coach and staff, preesenting the same crap lineup that Romeo presented last year and the players are calling the shots again..... so Mr. Lerner why did you make the change.... you still got a rotten apple from the Belicheat tree, and this one is like a weasel.... his word means absolutely nothing to players, just ask Quinn, who has been yanked two and a half games into his career, for a malcontent, interception throwing dumbass, fan hating, qb that has an IQ and work ethic of a toddler....Derek Anderson is totally a punk....he, like the coach, along with Edwards, stabbed Quinn in the back repeatedly...actually it might turn out to be a big favor, cause if Quinn's agent is worth anything, he's already made a call to Berea to ask for or demand a trade...by yanking the Quinn career, Lerner now has ammunition to use the same case Mangini used in his press conference to pull the plug on this inept Mangini regime, or sell the club to someone who has the guts to do it.... cause Mangini is done as soon as dumbass Anderson starts throwing picks like jujubees on the field, and all the fans no its gonna happen sooner then later.... Anderson took a shot at the fans yesterday in his press conference and let them no he has no love for them.....it was not right that some cheered his injury, but you can't change that.....but as a 42 year fan of the Browns, here's what would be fitting for the men who stab Quinn in the back.... Edwards, I hope you drop everything that comes your way, so you don't get a contract next year.... Mangini, I hope you get fired by the bye week so you never see another head coaching job again cause in my opinion you are the Adolph Hitler of football, and to Derek Anderson I hope Cinci intercepts you 5 times before the half, stacks you til you fumble, and makes you look like the dumbass you are....to Brady Quinn who was sabotaged by the offensive coordinator.... hang your head high dude..... you might get outta Cleveland before the coaching staff ruins your career...... and finally to our piece of crap owner, Randy Lerner, that allowed you to be treated totally unprofessional.... may any business he has go down the tubes til he's bankrupt..... I will root for Cinci to tear the Browns apart with my friends..... we want revenge for the crap that this team has done to us fans....and there are plenty of life long fans that can't stand the team now..... to you players that swindled millions for not showing up on sundays.... hopefully, your lives will be filled with karma.....and two the young kids who just got here.... tell your agents to get you outa here pronto before they ruin you too..... ask some Browns players around the league what leaving the Cleveland clowns does for your career..... and to Brian Robiski.... get your dad to have Atlanta trade a pick and save your career cause you and Quinn are in the same boat my friend.....
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10-01-2009 @ 9:25AM
Jim said...
Hey, DA. Note to you. The fans hate you even MORE than you hate them. You are a washed up, never was piece of crap that Ozzie realized in Baltimore when they had NO other quarterbacks and he still put you on waivers!! He knew the kind of cancer you are. Too bad the Browns didn't get rid of the other POS in the locker room this off season. Edwards is a cry baby with hands of steel and a brain to match. Come on Lerner. SELL!!!!!!
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10-01-2009 @ 10:02AM
wmjasmith6 said...
THE BROWNS ARE LOSER.
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10-01-2009 @ 11:21AM
daveenlakwood said...
Derek Anderson is a piece of crap..... nicknamed the divider, I agree that Derek and Braylon back stabbed Brady Quinn, just like Eric Mangini back stabbed Belicheat....smiling faces show no traces of lies, thats these guys songs..... hope Magini the weasel..... chokes on his next slice of pizza.....oops i meant next pizza.... we no he doesnt eat just a slice.....meanwhile inder the Belicheck tree this saturday, I heard theres gonna be a wing eating contest between the Eric Magoonie and Romeo Crispy Creme Crenell as they compare notes on who's the worst fruit that fell from the tree......
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