Sure, the NFL's Pro Bowl is typically the least watchable out of the major sports all star games. For good reason…defenses can't blitz, there is rarely a player collision that gets anybody excited, and usually some of the biggest stars (Tom Brady and Randy Moss for example) simply choose not to show up. In fact, most of the drama at times is simply hoping no fantasy relevant players suffer a major injury which would then cause us to, God forbid; adjust our draft boards in six months.
Then again, this exhibition may have bigger for one player on the field.
Cleveland Browns quarter back Derek Anderson is set to become a restricted free agent. Recently, the Browns offered Anderson a three year deal that is believed to be between $17 and $20 million total with a signing bonus hovering $11 million. Anderson and his agent quickly rejected the offer and are believed to be looking for a deal similar to what Cowboys passer Tony Romo signed during this past season. Romo's contract was for 6 years and $67 million.
All things considered, it would only help Anderson with a strong showing in Hawaii on Sunday. After all, a good final showing could help alleviate concerns from NFL teams about Anderson's struggles down the final stretch of the season. Granted, it's only the Pro Bowl, but at the same time you can't tell me Browns GM Phil Savage as well as others from around the league weren't paying attention.
In a game Anderson really wanted to play in badly, it turned out that Anderson ended up playing badly. Playing the entire second half, Anderson responded by only completing 10 of 26 passes for 103 yards and an interception. After scoring at will in the first half to a total of 27 first half points, the Anderson led AFC squad only managed a field goal in the second half. Wasn't he supposed to be the lone AFC quarterback who already knew this system? So much for that advantage…
Unfortunately, Derek Anderson looked as bad as the statistics dictate. Every time he threw deep down the sideline he seemed to not pay attention to the three defensive backs covering the receiver. Seriously, I haven't seen such ill-advised throws since a session of "drunken Madden football" on the Playstation one recent weekend. Hey, at least I managed to find the end zone at some point that night.
Then again, we are talking about a guy whose logo on the sleeve of his uniform was upside-down. Was the tailor in Honolulu drunk or is this a subtle act if defiance from Derek Anderson? Discuss.
So the question goes, where do the Browns go from here? For you conspiracy theorists, I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns intentionally made that low offer to Anderson knowing that his agent would decline. Thus, the Browns would come out only having to give the one-year tender for about $2.5 million for a year while buying time to make a more accurate decision. Even if both sides someday agree on a deal, don't expect Anderson to walk away with a contract that would out last Brady Quinn's deal.
Either way, it's a pretty safe assumption that Derek Anderson cost himself millions and possibly even cost the Browns an opportunity to move into the first round this April. Hopefully I'm going overboard, but with Anderson's inefficiencies on full display, something tells me I'm not.