Faceoff - QB Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns

Posted 7/28, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Sigmund Bloom

Derek Anderson finished as the #7 fantasy QB last year, and he was also one of the most consistent fantasy QBs in the league, yet fantasy footballers seem to be looking more for reasons that he will not repeat his performance, than reasons that he will. Any QB with his weapons and track record (albeit a short one) is a value as one of the last QB1s off the board.

Unlike Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson showed a "can-do" attitude while getting walloped by the Steelers in week 1, and that earned him a start vs. Cincinnati in week 2. No one could have foreseen Anderson's 328 yard, five touchdown performance (except maybe Anderson himself). The career and Anderson, Frye, and Brady Quinn was irrevocably changed by this masterpiece of a performance, but when Anderson threw for under 50% accuracy and two interceptions the next week vs. Oakland, most of us said, "there's the real Anderson."

We couldn't have been more wrong. From week 4 through week 16, the end of most fantasy seasons, Anderson only failed to throw for multiple TDs three times! One of those was a 364 yard performance vs. Seattle that saw Jamal Lewis score four tap-in TDs from inside the two. Another one was a 274 yard performance vs. Baltimore that saw Anderson clumsily run the ball in for a TD. The third was a game played in horrendous conditions vs. Buffalo -- anyone who saw the weather that morning benched Anderson. Even Anderson's four interception performance in the rematch vs Cincinnati in week 16, which was all too reminiscent of his 2006 swoon, was based more on Anderson's foolish optimism in severe wind than an inability to read defenses or throw the ball with accuracy.

Despite this outstanding, consistent season, and a lucrative three year extension from the Browns, the fantasy community still sees Anderson as a QB with something to prove. Anderson is not an athletic playmaker, and he's not the kind of cerebral kind that breaks down defenses by always finding the open man like Brady, Peyton, or Brees. No, Anderson is simply a QB who knows how to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. Like those weapons, Anderson is tall, and he instinctively errs on the side of throwing high to the big targets, often putting the ball where only his man can get it. Maybe Anderson is riding the coattails of his young pass-catchers, but those studs are returning this year, and they're being joined by another big play receiver in Donte Stallworth. Anderson will also benefit from an offensive line that continues to gel around shutdown LT Joe Thomas. Yes, Anderson benefits from a great supporting cast, but why should we hold that against him?

All the pieces are in place for Anderson to repeat, or even improve on his 2007 performance, yet many in the fantasy community are betting against it. When the depth at QB position allows you to take a safer QB like Jake Delhomme or another upside QB like Aaron Rodgers or Jay Cutler to hedge against a backslide, taking Anderson as your QB1 as the 9th or 10th QB off the board is an easy call.

Downside - by Andy Hicks

Derek Anderson finished as the No.6 ranked quarterback despite starting the season behind Charlie Frye. He threw 29 touchdowns and ran in another 3 on his way to playing in the Pro Bowl. He signed a rich 3 year deal in the off season to stay in Cleveland, so what's to dislike about the guy?

Let's start with the presence of 2007 1st round pick Brady Quinn. Quinn was expected to bide his time until Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson screwed up. 1 out of 2. Quinn was considered NFL ready and being a local boy was delighted to be selected by the Browns after dropping out of the top 10 in the 2007 Draft. Quinn has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback for years to come. Quinn is accurate, makes good decisions and has pocket presence. At stages towards the end of the season when Derek Anderson was struggling, the Browns fans were clamoring for Quinn to play.

The last point about Anderson struggling bears further scrutiny. After starting the season with 20 touchdowns and only 9 intercepts, Anderson fell away in the final 7 games recording 9 touchdowns to 10 intercepts. His pass percentage completion was mediocre and if not for the ability of Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow numerous other passes would have hit the deck or gone for interceptions. Anderson statistically recorded one of the worst poor pass percentages in the league and was viewed as being the beneficiary of a lot of luck in 2007.

The further the season progressed, the worse Anderson performed, culminating in his embarrassing pro bowl appearance in place of Tom Brady. 10 completions from 26 attempts to the leagues elite receivers against a defense that wasn't allowed to blitz? Maybe that's a Mickey Mouse game, but the last 7 games of the regular season weren't.

Assuming Derek Anderson does beat out Brady Quinn, whether Anderson keeps his starting job will depend on his early season performances. Homes games against Dallas, Pittsburgh and the Giants and away games against Baltimore, Cincinnati, Washington and Jacksonville make it difficult to see how the Browns get out of the first 7 games with a winning record. If Anderson crumbles under pressure as he appeared to do in the 2nd half of the season, then it's hello Brady Quinn.

The Browns have built their offense well recently with one of the best offensive lines in the game, an elite tight end and wide receiver and solid supporting casts. If Anderson messes up there isn't any doubt the Browns will shove him aside and start Quinn. Anderson is not the kind of player you want to be your fantasy squads starting quarterback. There are numerous guys, who won't cost as high a draft pick, are in much more stable situations and proven over numerous seasons. Take one of them instead.