Browns Will Have A New Look At Quarterback
The Cleveland Browns have finally released Derek Anderson. In a move that comes as a surprise to no one, Anderson is no longer a Cleveland Brown. After spending five years in Cleveland and with a pro bowl season in 2007, DA can best be described as inconsistent.
Newly acquired Seneca Wallace, Brady Quinn and Brett Ratliff now make up Cleveland’s quarterback roster. But for how long? Is Mike Holmgren done with his QB search or is he just beginning? Who will be the starter in 2010? Will Brady Quinn even be on the team next season? The answers to these questions will probably be revealed in the near future.
Mike Holmgren brought Wallace to Cleveland in case he can’t swing a trade for a starting quarterback. If he does, then Wallace can be a fine backup. If no trade is made, he will be the starter in all probability. If that happens, look for Cleveland to draft a QB in April.
Where does all of this leave Quinn? Probably trade bait. With Cleveland switching to the West Coast offense in 2010 and Wallace having seven years experience in the WC, I just don’t see Quinn being given the starting job. After all, Holmgren said there would be no QB competition and the starter would be established prior to training camp. Wallace has a career QB rating of 83.1 which is better than either Quinn or the departed Anderson.
Don’t count out Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert yet as far as making another trade for a starting QB. They both like Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb of the Eagles. The asking price would be pretty steep but getting a franchise QB would be worth it. While McNabb is a sure thing, Kolb is still unproven over a full season.
The draft may hold the answer but the Browns have proven many times it can be risky. Does Cleveland stay put at number seven and hope Jimmy Clausen is still there? Do they try to move up to get to Sam Bradford? Will they wait and take Dan LeFevour in the third? Or Colt McCoy?
Right now, I doubt if even Mike Holmgren can answer all the questions we have. I am pretty sure of one thing, Cleveland is not done with their quarterback search.
Gary, what is your take on Derek Anderson’s statements about the fans upon being released?
floyd, I think he’s been frustrated that he wasn’t never really accepted by the Browns fans as their favorite. Quinn was always more popular than DA in Cleveland.
Also the fact he was booed after getting injured in 2008 still hurts. He had a right to be angry.
As for his comments, it was DA’s parting shot to the fans. I was never a big DA supporter, I thought we should have let him go after his pro bowl season.
um who do u think the browns could get out of the current free agents ?
sorry at QB
Seneca Wallace is a great athlete but will never be a great NFL QB. Too short and cannot see over his Oline. Makes poor decides under pressure. Likes to run out of bounds for a loss rather than throwing the ball away. Use him as a reciever and he will contribute.
Steve,
I’m not very excited about the FA QBs. Trade or draft is their best bet.
Mark,
Wallace has a 83.1 career QB rating. While not great, it’s better than any Browns QB over the last decade.
I would rather get an upgrade over Wallace but he’s an upgrade over what we’ve had lately.
Gary, Mark: I saw the comments on the dashboard go up and because Seneca Wallace, a former Seahawk is a good NFL talent I thought I’d bring a little WCO (west coast opinion) on here.
I agree with you Gary that Wallace is better than any Browns QB over the last decade (Frye, Anderson,Quinn etc) but Wallace stands a strong chance to join that list for a few reasons. The Browns have two athleats on offense (Josh Cribbs and now Seneca Wallace). Wallace was a No. 4 WR in seattle and Cribbs is the No. 2 QB in Cleveland.
If Wallace was brought in to be a 16 game starter, which he can be and believe he will be in Cleveland, the Browns need to give him to options (Greg Olson, T.O, Dez Bryant, Laveranues Coles etc).
Wallace can be successful even with a crappy WR like Deion Branch, look at his NE patriots game a year ago.
Mark: Seneca Wallace is 5-11, Drew Brees is 6 ft. Wallace makes up for those two inches with great athletic ability.
lars,
Cribbs the number two QB? I don’t think the Browns are satisfied with their QBs and are still looking for a starter. In an ideal situation, Wallace would be the backup unless Cleveland brings in a rookie to groom. In that case I think Wallace would be the starter until the rookie is ready.
Wallace is an upgrade in Cleveland but not the franchise QB the Browns are looking for.
Bring in a rookie to groom behind Seneca? Seneca isn’t the mentoring type. Holmgren doesnt draft high on QB’s so he could trade for one but Kevin Kolb would cost them their No.7 pick and more.