Pocket Presence: Derek Anderson Plays Better, Still Stinks

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.

Give Derek Anderson credit. He got better. He put that "15 incompletions in 17 attempts" disaster behind him with a much more quarterback-like effort against Pittsburgh Sunday. It wasn't enough to take the Browns off this list for the first time this season, but there are indications that Cleveland has settled on their guy, no matter how many of his passes bounce off the grass.

Cleveland Browns: Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn

Anderson hit nine of 24 passes against Pittsburgh, even topping 100 yards and managing a touchdown pass. However, the Browns scored one offensive touchdown, relied way too much on the wildcat, and lost convincingly to Pittsburgh. While it is starting to sound like this is Anderson's job to completely screw up, the Browns would be delusional to think he deserves that kind of consideration.

Quinn, it could be argued, hasn't gotten nearly a fair shake in this battle. He faced elite defenses in each of his three starts, two of them on the road. Anderson is hitting 44 percent of his throws, averaging less than five yards per attempt (despite his "big arm" reputation), and has thrown three picks for every touchdown he has so far.

At this point, however, it probably doesn't matter who the quarterback is. This team is a lost cause at 1-5.

Status update: Very warm

Buffalo Bills: Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick

It wouldn't take much to outplay Mark Sanchez on this day, and Fitzpatrick got it done. Filling in for an injured Edwards, who had started the day by hitting his first five throws, Fitzpatrick was erratic but still a winner. The Terrell Owens failure continues, and the insertion of rookie Jamon Meredith at right tackle didn't solve much up front. But a win is a win, and now the Bills have a decision to make.

It's been said that you can't lose your job over an injury. However, Edwards seemed well on his way to losing the job before he was injured. Not only that, but while it wasn't at all pretty, Fitzpatrick at least found a way to win a game. Of course, they needed Sanchez to throw five picks to make it happen, but Fitzpatrick did have his good moments. At the very least, this should give Dick Jauron something to think about.

Status update: Very warm

Washington Redskins: Jason Campbell and Todd Collins

Campbell got the hook in the Redskins' disastrous loss to Kansas City Sunday, but it is likely not the end of him. It's not like Collins lit up the Chiefs. Actually, he was statistically worse than Campbell. Collins pulled an Aaron Rodgers on a late snap deep in Redskin territory, as he held the ball entirely too long and took a sack for a safety that ended whatever minuscule chance the Redskins had to win the game.

Coach Jim Zorn has said Campbell is likely to start Monday night, and perhaps the offense will get a jump-start with consultant Sherm Lewis taking over as the play-caller for Zorn. Campbell has shown some real upside in his short career as a starter, but the reality is that he may not be best-suited as an every-down starting quarterback in the NFL.

Status update: Very warm

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski

Carolina Panthers: Jake Delhomme and Matt Moore

Yes, their teams won Sunday. However, it's hard to feel good about how the starting quarterbacks played. Neither Delhomme nor Russell were effective, and both have to continue to be on thin ice with their respective teams.

The Panthers can't count on the running game to carry them to victory every week, and while the Raiders' defense put on a bit of an eye-opening performance, it's hard to imagine them repeating it given how inconsistent their effort and level of play have been in recent years.

Status updates: Warm