Dawgbeat

DEREK ANDERSON, the anti-Baltimore.   

by Eric Brown
11/15/2007   


      For years, the Cleveland Browns fans have looked for revenge for that frightful day in 1995 when the Cleveland Browns franchise announced it would move it's operation to Baltimore. The NFL returned our beloved franchise to the city it belonged in 1999, somewhat softening the blow. But in 2000 as we watched the man whose name I cannot speak or print hoist the cherished Vince Lombardi Trophy, the painful reminder returned to my heart.  In 2001 the Browns, led by fiery upstart head coach Butch Davis swept Baltimore convicingly in the season series. That seemed to ease the pain some. But a sidenote in the transaction area of the sports page on September 21st, 2005 may be the best revenge that Cleveland football fans can revel in. That is the day that the Browns organization acquired their leader and the anti-Baltimore, Derek Anderson.Phil Savage noted that on April 28th, 2007 was the day that the franchise may well have turned the corner. I stand here today and say that, that statement is only half true. Joe Thomas is certainly a cornerstone for our future and arguably a candidate for rookie of the year. However, I submit to you that September 21st, 2005 should be a day that us Browns fans should celebrate as a holiday each season.

      Brady Quinn may very well be a top ten NFL quarterback talent, and admittedly I believe he will be too. However, Derek Anderson has now proven himself on several National Football League fields (mostly Cleveland Browns Stadium), but the point being that he has shown that he can handle NFL defenses, whereas Brady Quinn has not. Another point being that Anderson is stil also very young and still leaning. Most quarterback's who are young and still learning though, cant boast of Anderson's 20 to 9 touchdown to interception ratio. Which should make his hold on the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback position all the more strong, a pro bowl berth in his very first full-time starting season shouldn't hurt either. The Browns will need to "show him the money " and soon for Anderson to continue what he is doing now, being this franchise's leader. 

     With all this being said it is incredible to me that so many Browns fans, begging for a new leader have still not embraced Anderson. I still hear cries for Quinn, and see the possibilities of trading Anderson, and what we could get for him. The Browns already have a franchise quarterback in Cleveland,  his name is Anderson, and he is the anti-Baltimore.