Cleveland Browns name Brady Quinn starting quarterback

November 3, 2008 @ 00:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Tim Heaney

Trent Dilfer, of ESPN, reports Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn will start in Week 10. Quinn replaces quarterback Derek Anderson as the team's starter.

This is a nod toward the future for the club. The Browns traded up to draft Quinn 22nd overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Quinn played in just one game last year - a Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers - when he completed three of eight passes for 45 yards. Those were his only regular season throws.

However, for Anderson, this move culminates what has been a disappointing season. After taking the NFL by storm with 1,744 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his first seven games last year, Anderson threw for just 2,043 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions over his final nine games of the 2007 season.

Those struggles carried into 2008; he has averaged just 181.8 passing yards, 1.1 touchdowns and 0.9 interceptions per game. Considering the weapons surrounding him in this offense, his numbers are a disappointment, especially as he was likely drafted as a low-end No. 1 quarterback.

What can you expect from Quinn? He has a solid matchup this week against the Denver Broncos, who are missing their top corner Champ Bailey (groin) and likely their top linebacker D.J. Williams (knee). However, with a short week, Quinn's role might be reduced, and he might function simply as a game manager. Anderson is a stronger vertical passer than Quinn, so you might expect the offense to be reined in a bit - this could affect wideout Braylon Edwards, though his season also falls in the disappointment column. This could benefit struggling tight end Kellen Winslow, though, because green quarterbacks often rely heavily on their tight end.

From a fantasy perspective, Quinn should be added in all leagues for those owners looking to build depth at the position. The Browns offense has plenty of weapons for him to utilize, so this isn't comparable to, say, Drew Stanton potentially stepping into the Detroit Lions offense. Quinn's grasp of the offense should be solid as he has had more than a year to learn the team's system.

Although you should also beware of the small chance the team could change its mind, feel free to release Anderson in all leagues. Quinn has been carrying the tag as the team's "starter of the future," and the future appears to be now, barring an injury to Quinn.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

Derrick Mason calls it a career (07/13)
Denver Broncos name QB Kyle Orton the starter (06/13)
WR Torry Holt signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars (04/20)
Giants release WR Plaxico Burress (04/03)
Denver Broncos trade QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears (04/02)
St. Louis Rams release WR Torry Holt (03/13)
T.J. Houshmandzadeh agrees to join the Seattle Seahawks (03/02)
RB Derrick Ward finds a new home (03/02)
Matt Cassel traded to the Kansas City Chiefs (02/28)
New York Jets release WR Laveranues Coles (02/25)