Faceoff - QB Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns

Posted 8/12, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Jeff Haseley

The Browns finally gave Brady Quinn at chance to crack the starting lineup last year after QB Derek Anderson failed to live up to expectations after having such a promising 2007 season. Quinn was able to string together a few good games, but he ended with a whimper and a broken finger that kept him sidelined for the remaining four games. The Browns and new HC Eric Mangini are debating over who will be the team's starting QB to begin the 2009 season. As of right now, it appears as if Quinn is ahead of Anderson.

What's the difference between the two QBs? Derek Anderson has a much better deep ball that is both strong and fairly accurate. He lacks in the confidence department - at least he did last season, and he seemed to lose his teammates at times, which ultimately led to his benching. Quinn is a leader on the field and in the huddle. He lacks the down field game that Anderson has, but his short and mid-ranged passes are usually accurate. He won't hesitate to look off his first two options and consider the third. In a nutshell, Anderson is more suited for down field plays that would benefit receivers who stretch the field, mainly Braylon Edwards. Quinn is more of a game manager that will steadily make plays and not lose the game. His leadership skills and mind for the position and the game may ultimately be the deciding factor for coach Mangini.

What's to like about Quinn as draft pick for your team? Quinn currently has an ADP of 175 / QB25, which is a 15th round pick in 12-team, redraft leagues. What that means is you can get a potential fantasy starter as your QB3. You can select Quinn and keep him on your bench and wait for something to happen. If nothing pans out or he isn't given the starting nod, you haven't invested much. However, if he rises to the occasion and plays well, you'll have a potential starting QB for your lineup at your disposal.

For all we know, HC Eric Mangini could decide to go with the third string QB, Brett Ratliff, who he coached with the Jets. He made sure Ratliff was part of the deal that gave the Jets the Browns' fifth overall pick in the 2009 Draft. What makes Quinn the front runner is his intangibles that the other QBs on the roster seem not to possess. Quinn is true professional in every sense of the word. He studies game film, he is clean and clear off the field, he has outstanding leadership skills that can't be measured at the combine. Most of all, he has the desire to win and perform well. The Browns have an uphill battle facing the Steelers and Ravens in their division twice, but in the NFL anything can happen. Favorites at the beginning of the season may not be there at the end, or even the middle. Quinn has the intangibles needed to be a great QB in the league. Perhaps someday he'll meet the expectations of being a first round draft choice. The Browns are hoping their first round pick from 2007 will finally pay dividends this year.

Quinn is in good company. Twenty of the 21 QBs drafted in the first round since 2002 have started at least 16 games, thrown for at least 2,700 yards and have at least 230 completions. The one QB who has not reached those marks is Quinn. History suggests, Quinn will get his chance. This should be the year he is given that opportunity.

Downside - by Andy Hicks

This year is where Brady Quinn should be stamping his imprint on the starting job for the Cleveland Browns and becoming one of the brightest stars in the NFL. Instead he is involved in a battle to win the starting job from 2007 star Derek Anderson. Adding fuel to the fire is a new head coach, new offensive coordinator, the loss of a major target and barely anything to show he can be a fantasy quarterback this year.

In one of this seasons true quarterback battles, Quinn & Anderson will be vying for the starting job under new head coach Eric Mangini and new offensive coordinator Brian Dadoll. Anderson led the Browns offense when they ranked in the top 10 in 2007 and Braylon Edwards looked like a perennial pro bowler. That changed last year as both Anderson and Edwards were anything but their 2007 selves. Quinn took over in week 10 and was great against the bottom 4 ranked Denver defense, but in his other 2 starts against average defenses he looked and played terribly before an injury put an end to his season. Quinn may have the edge for now, but he'll need to maintain that throughout training camp and preseason to keep ahead of Anderson. A starter will not be decided upon until well into August and drafting Quinn now could be a foolish move.

Not only do Quinn & Anderson have Mangini & Dadoll to impress, they also need to beware of 3rd stringer Brett Ratliff. Ratliff was with the Jets last season under Mangini and where Dadoll was quarterbacks coach. They didn't bring him to Cleveland without some promise of his future prospects and don't be surprised if the leash on Quinn and/or Anderson is surprisingly short once the season commences. Ratliff may not be ready this season, but the coaching link is if nothing else, interesting.

Apart from coaching changes, the Browns lost one of their star receivers with Kellen Winslow traded to Miami. In his place is, basically no one. The Browns have a group of Tight Ends who are unlikely to get anywhere the numbers generated by Winslow. At the receiver position at least 1 of the 2 rookies in Brian Robiskie & Mohamed Massaquoi are expected to help big time, unless journeymen veterans David Patten & Mike Furrey have something left to offer. With uncertainty surrounding the running game, in particular veteran Jamal Lewis as the focal point and a rookie offensive coordinator the upside here for whoever starts at quarterback is limited in any case.

In simplistic terms, the Browns don't seem to be ready to have a successful offense in 2009. The new coaching staff is likely to need this year to figure out which players will be part of the future and which ones will be cut adrift. Don't be surprised to see Quinn among the latter group, but should he manage to win the starting job he doesn't appear to offer much as a fantasy option anyway.