Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

Today, Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel announced that Derek Anderson would remain the starter of the 0-3 Browns when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday. The decision comes just two days after hinting that a change would be made: "I think we'll definitely get the other guy [Quinn] ready to go and we'll see how it progresses from there." Anderson has struggled this season, throwing 2 touchdowns and five interceptions for a quarterback rating of 43.5. The offensive ineptitude reached its zenith Sunday afternoon, when Anderson threw three interceptions - two which resulted in Baltimore touchdowns in the decisive third quarter - and was sacked five times in a 28-10 loss.

In lieu of such high expectations and the dismal performance thus far by Anderson and the Browns, many pundits have suggested that Quinn should get the start Sunday for the Browns. However, I don't think Crennel made the final call. I think Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel sat down and decided that starting Quinn now isn't the right thing to do. The offensive line has performed poorly this year and injuries have drastically reduced the play-making ability of the receiving corps. No, putting Quinn in now isn't fair to Quinn or Anderson.

Anderson should be benched only when the Browns are ready to turn the corner and give the team to Quinn, the 2007 first round pick the team annoited as the next franchise QB before Anderson's breakout performance last season. After the step towards respectability the Browns took last season, Cleveland can ill-afford to throw this season away with a quarterback change and a possible coaching change. Yes, the Browns are 0-3 but for better or worse, 13 games remain and Crennel has to find a way to keep this team competitive.

Anderson is the starter and I don't believe Savage wants to see a player he paid $18 million to in the off-season benched after three games, not with the number of injuries the team has suffered. That said, the game Sunday is an absolute must win. Provided that the Browns can somehow come out of Cincinnati with a victory, the team will have two weeks to prepare for the Giants who will visit Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Monday Night Game in Week 6, which will be a pivotal game for the future of Crennel and Derek Anderson.

Labels: cincinnati bengals, Cleveland, cleveland browns, Derek Anderson, Paul Brown Stadium, Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel