Pocket Presence: Browns Complete Quarterback Cycle

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.

After weeks of embarrassing, historic, and somewhat hysterical futility under the guidance of Derek Anderson, the Cleveland Browns have finally completed their quarterback cycle.

Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson

Quinn gets the start Monday night, as the Browns host Baltimore. He has virtually no shot at contractual incentives now that Anderson has started so much of the season, so Quinn is just playing for the job now. Yes, the Browns are horrible, but there is still significance to these games. Cleveland is not a playoff team, but it needs to figure out what it have in Quinn, and whether or not he can be the Browns' guy moving forward.

Baltimore is probably not the best opponent for him to face in his first start back, but the Ravens aren't quite as dangerous on defense as they used to be. Quinn is likely to face a solid assortment of blitz and coverage packages, so we'll find out quickly if he has a chance to make things work.

He sure didn't play very well over his first three starts this season, but he didn't get a lot of help either, and he still managed to be far superior to Anderson.

Now that the Browns have gone full-circle this season, it's up to Quinn to show head coach Eric Mangini enough to retain the gig for the last eight games.

Status update: Very warm

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski

As the Raiders come off their bye week, it will be interesting to see how much rope head coach Tom Cable gives Russell. At 2-6, there's no question the Raiders qualify as one of the truly bad teams in the NFL. They don't have anything to lose at this point, so why stick with Russell just because he makes a lot of money?

Gradkowski may not be anything special, but it's hard to imagine he leaves the team in a worse position than Russell has. When the Raiders host Kansas City this Sunday, it's one of the rare times they'll have a better record than their opponent. If Russell can't figure out a way to keep them in the game, look out.

Status update: Warm

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith and Shaun Hill

Smith got his second start of the season against Tennessee Sunday, and he did a respectable job. He showed a willingness to throw downfield more, which was needed in an offense that had become somewhat stagnant in recent weeks.

Where Smith showed the most need for improvement was in ball security. He threw three picks in the loss, and spent a bit too much time locking down on receivers, a huge no-no in the NFL. Smith did enough in these last two losses, though, to keep himself secure. Of course, if he continues to struggle with turnovers, coach Mike Singletary may be forced to do something.

Status update: Warm

Washington Redskins: Jason Campbell and Todd Collins

No, Campbell didn't come out of the game at Atlanta because he stunk -- even though he did stink. Again.

Instead, Campbell was banged up by the Falcons' pass rush, and Collins took over for a time, throwing five passes (completing four) for 12 yards.

Even though the Redskins are well on their way to the tank, it's hard to imagine they'd make this move. Were Collins a promising quarterback for the future, they'd do it almost immediately. Instead, he's on the downside of his career, and there's no point in benching Campbell, because it's not like Collins is good enough to lift this team back into contention.

Status update: Cool

Tennessee Titans: Vince Young and Kerry Collins

Young has been very good over his two starts. He's made pretty good decisions, thrown much more effectively than he did last year, and it seems the Titans have rallied around him.

Barring injury, the job has to be his from here on in.

Status update: Cool