Dan Coughlin: Here comes another Browns quarterback change
Dan Coughlin | The Chronicle-Telegram
As the great philosopher Yogi Berra said, “It’s deja vu all over again.”
That’s where Derek Anderson stands, on the threshhold of repeating history. A year ago Anderson won the Browns quarterback job in the identical manner he likely will lose it today.
A year ago, Charlie Frye opened the season as the starting quarterback. His season lasted barely more than a quarter as the Browns lost the opener at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-7.
Charlie completed 4 of 10 passes for 34 yards. He threw one interception and he was sacked five times. Anderson took over in the second quarter. Within 24 hours Frye was traded to Seattle and Anderson was elevated to starting quarterback for life.
Quarterbacks have a short shelflife in Cleveland, however. Since Bernie Kosar was discharged in November, 1993, the Browns have burned through 11 starting quarterbacks, running the gauntlet of A to Z — Anderson to Zeier. Brady Quinn will become the 12th starting quarterback in the last 13 seasons.
Almost one different starter per year. Yipe.
Quarterback chaos reigns again.
Coach Romeo Crennel deferred the obvious with his announcement that Anderson would start today in Cincinnati but that “the other guy will be ready.” You can see right through this charade. With the offensive line crippled and a depleted receiver corps, Anderson doesn’t stand a chance. He’ll take possession of the clipboard and baseball cap before halftime. And that, ladies and gentlemen, will signal the end of his career in Cleveland.
The tension in Berea just got thicker.
The stress was written all over Anderson’s face Wednesday, the day the quarterbacks do their compulsory with the media. He tried to act nonchalant and unworried but if you ask me, he’s worried sick. That’s no way to go on the road weighted down by a three-game losing streak. I know the preseason is just practice, but the Browns lost all four of them, too, so they’ve got a seven-game losing streak. Shouldn’t you win one just by accident somewhere along the way unless you’re a pathetically bad team.
Don’t answer that.
Anderson knows he’s on a short leash. A bad throw, a bad decision, indecision — and he’s outta there.
Brady Quinn, meanwhile, was relaxed and smiling. He said all the politically correct things. Asked if he could provide a spark, he said properly, “Every quarterback thinks he can provide a spark.”
Quinn is the people’s choice because he hasn’t screwed up yet.
Then there’s Romeo, whose demeanor has changed dramatically in recent days. The pressure is eating at him. A reporter tossed him a sympathetic question the other day.
Hasn’t a coach who has had success earned a free pass when things go bad?
“In coaching there are no mulligans,” said Romeo, sounding like a man who knows his fate.
The same can be said for quarterbacks.
Dan Coughlin is a columnist for The Chronicle-Telegram and a sportscaster for Channel 8. Contact him at ctsports@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Dan Coughlin | The Chronicle-Telegram September 28th, 2008 in BREAKING, Sports. Popularity: 3% |
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