http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-broncos-browns&prov=ap&type=lgns


By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 3 hours, 53 minutes ago

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CLEVELAND (AP)—Ready or not, here comes Brady Quinn.

“Knock wood, I hope the guy doesn’t fall on his face,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said.

How’s that for confidence?

Following another strange few days in Cleveland, where football freakishness has ruled for years, Quinn, the former Notre Dame golden boy quarterback with Ohio pedigree and pop idol looks, will make his first NFL start on Thursday night as the struggling Browns host the Denver Broncos.

The moment he emerges from the tunnel in his No. 10 jersey in front of a national TV audience, Quinn will be serenaded by chants of “Bra-dy, Bra-dy,” from adoring Browns fans, who fell for the first-round pick before he completed his first pass as a pro.

How long they’ll be cheering is anyone’s guess.

Crennel’s decision—at least that’s the party line—to bench Derek Anderson in favor Quinn could be a risky gamble for the underachieving Browns (3-5), who thought it was so nice to have two quality quarterbacks and now have to hold their breath that they have at least one.
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Anderson’s demotion sent shockwaves through the Browns’ locker room as teammates wondered why he was being singled out for the team’s many woes.

“Nobody saw it coming,” linebacker Willie McGinest said. “‘I don’t think it’s one person why we’re losing. When we lose, we lose as a team.”

A sixth-round draft pick, who worked his way up from No. 3 on the depth chart all the way to the Pro Bowl in three seasons, Anderson was blindsided by Crennel’s choice to hand the ball off to Quinn. Back to being an understudy, Anderson wouldn’t bite when asked if he felt Crennel acted alone in making the decision.

“I respect Romeo and what he’s done,” said Anderson, who signed a three-year, $24 million free-agent deal to stay with Cleveland, “and that’s as far as I want to go.”

Crennel, a former defensive coordinator, rebuffed the notion that he succumbed to public pressure in swapping QBs. But he acknowledged hearing the chants for Quinn and the boos which reigned down on Anderson after he threw a late interception in Sunday’s loss to Baltimore.

Anderson played superbly for three quarters before making a poor decision and throwing the ball directly to linebacker Terrell Suggs, who returned it for a TD to seal the Ravens’ 37-27 win.

“Generally I don’t think they have my telephone number,” Crennel said. “I haven’t been fielding calls from the fans. I made the decision, what I think is best and what I think needs to be done.”

Quinn’s ascension leaves the Browns with a much smaller safety net if he doesn’t live up to expectations. The team traded away two draft picks, one of them a first-rounder in 2008, to select Quinn, who didn’t make his NFL debut until the 16th game last season. He went 3-of-8 for 45 yards and led the Browns to a field goal on an 11-play drive.

He was seen as Cleveland’s future—and it has arrived.

Although he’s had a short week to prepare, Quinn should benefit from playing against Denver’s defense, which is ranked among the AFC’s worst. Seeing Anderson get demoted could be a concern, but the 24-year-old said he isn’t worried about long-term job security.

“Honestly, I’m not looking past this week,” he said. “The biggest thing is getting a win this week. I’m not looking at eight games. I’m looking at one game.”

While the Browns are looking for someone to throw the ball accurately, the Broncos, who rushed for 14 yards on 12 carries—Denver’s worst rushing performance in 36 years—are searching for someone to run with it.

They lost two running backs, Michael Pittman (spinal cord) and Andre Hall (hand), to season-ending injuries against Miami last week. Rookie Ryan Torain, who drew comparisons to former Broncos star Terrell Davis before breaking his elbow in training camp, is expected to get the bulk of carries against the Browns.

Gone are the days when the Broncos could count on their trademark running game to carry them.

But they’ll be going against a Cleveland defense which let Ravens rookie Ray Rice run all over them last week. Rice gained season-high 154 yards, 60 on a key run in the fourth quarter. Like Quinn, Torain, is hoping to make the most of his opportunity.

“This is huge,” he said. “This is huge for me to show how hard I’ve worked with studying film and running plays and just being out there to help the team win.”

That’s what the Browns are hoping to get from Quinn, who may be able to spark a turnaround and salvage a season that’s hanging by a thread.

Quinn hasn’t made a meaningful start since the 2007 Sugar Bowl, when the Fighting Irish were throttled 41-14 by LSU.

After learning he would replace Anderson, Quinn spoke on the phone to Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who asked him if he was ready for the challenge.

“He said, ‘Well, it’s the same as every week. I prepare the same every week,”’ Weis said. “I said, ‘Hey, Brady that’s a bunch of garbage. You can tell it to someone else who wants to hear that stuff.’ I go, ‘you can say you’re preparing the same every week, but it’s the one thing when you’re the backup, the other thing is when you’re the starter.”’

Crennel doesn’t know how long Quinn will keep his job. One thing is clear, though, the Browns are running out of options.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SGTB:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-broncos-browns&prov=ap&type=lgns


By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 3 hours, 53 minutes ago


“Knock wood, I hope the guy doesn’t fall on his face,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said.

How’s that for confidence?

Anderson played superbly for three quarters before making a poor decision and throwing the ball directly to linebacker Terrell Suggs, who returned it for a TD to seal the Ravens’ 37-27 win.



If RAC did say “Knock wood, I hope the guy doesn’t fall on his face,” then he is a major you know what. You don't need to say it like that. Supposedly you made the decision so deal with it.

Who in the hell is this writer? Anderson played "Superbly". WTH is that guy smoking? Anderson played "Supebly" once this year!

quote:

Who in the hell is this writer? Anderson played "Superbly". WTH is that guy smoking? Anderson played "Supebly" once this year!

agree! I thought this read was interesting though.

Yeah, "RAC's decision". *L*

Brady Quinn explains to Solomon Wilcotts why he's prepared to start vs. the Broncos.


http://www.nfl.com/videos

hope this works.

Knock on wood....

Coin flip......

Gut Feeling........

I have a hard time believing that this decision sent shock-waves through the locker room. I mean come on... If the Browns players don't expect more from their QB, than what do the players expect from themselves?

quote:

“Nobody saw it coming,” linebacker Willie McGinest said.

Willie may need some glasses...I believe everyone saw this coming. What a crock.

I honestly didnt see this coming.....

yes it shocked the locker room cause everyone knows hes not the problem. now you'll read this and bring up some stats to say hes the worst ever, not even close. And the pick in Baltimore one we should not have been losing after being up 14 and two wright never even turned to look for the ball. wow really all on Anderson. I saw Quinn play in the final game and seen him in preseason. to me it looked like he took a step backwards in his progress and was releasing to quickly leading to under throws. but you guys are pumped and think were good now but you have to remember the receivers cant catch and the D can't stop anyone for a whole game

All I can say is that Anderson was too inconsistent - it has not been just his fault for the team results - but we have to start somewhere because if we don't try to change something we were headed for more of the same. Having said that we may be heading for the same anyway - but at least we're trying something different. We can't replace our defense, and we can't replace our receiving problems because we don't have anybody else we can go to in those areas, but we can change the QB to try and get a spark - we'll know what we have in Quinn one way or another. What I do know is that Anderson is just not consistent enough and his numbers show it. I for one don't see him as a starter in the league for any team on a long-term basis. So let's hope for the best with Quinn - Charlie Weis swears by him for a reason - let's hope he's right.

quote:

Originally posted by number3fan:
yes it shocked the locker room cause everyone knows hes not the problem. now you'll read this and bring up some stats to say hes the worst ever, not even close. And the pick in Baltimore one we should not have been losing after being up 14 and two wright never even turned to look for the ball. wow really all on Anderson. I saw Quinn play in the final game and seen him in preseason. to me it looked like he took a step backwards in his progress and was releasing to quickly leading to under throws. but you guys are pumped and think were good now but you have to remember the receivers cant catch and the D can't stop anyone for a whole game

I agree with most of what you say here Anderson can"t catch the passes that he is throwing to Braylon(then again neither can Mister ED wards).The possesion receiver we loved last year is hurt or is it infected can't keep track of the teams staph/staff.Winslow gets a suspension for speaking the truth about medical conditions. Stallworth unhealthy most of season,Lewis injured at start of season. Stienbach,Tucker,Thomas missing games. Now rogers and a host of others doubtful for tonights game and i'm sure that's D.A.s fault as well. Brady good luck tonight and enjoy the free pass the fans are giving you tonight. Come next monday no matter what happens it will be your fault just ask the so called fans. Never have I seen so called fans turn on any player the way some of you supposed "Browns fans" do. I pulled for Charlie Frye last year(O.K. it was only one game,but I was behind him and the team).Then it was Derek Andersons turn now it is Brady Quinns turn like it or not. That is what being a fan is all about supporting your team no matter what. And by the way all of the fans who kept calling for Quinn where do you coach at that you have the experience, knowledge , skill, etc. to second guess an N.F.L. coach? So the Quinn era starts today or maybe just Quinn starts today who knows but I will support Brady as long as he is under center or in the shotgun or carrying a clipboard while D.A. is playing. As long as he is wearing the brown adn orange he deserves the real TRUE fans support no matter what. Thanks to Derek Anderson for last years wild ride and the rough one so far this year it is along ways from over and stranger things have happened.

quote:

Originally posted by SGTB:
Brady Quinn explains to Solomon Wilcotts why he's prepared to start vs. the Broncos.


http://www.nfl.com/videos

hope this works.

Here is the direct link you were going for....

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80c408c7

Well like it or not, the era has begun.

Im cheering loud tonight from my home

All we know for sure is that Brady is starting tonight. We will see about the "ERA" next monday against Buffalo. Cleveland does not have a shortage on Q.B. eras since 99 Couch,Holcomb,Garcia,Frye,Anderson and now Quinn is only an abbreviated list on what i believe is the longest list of starting Q.B.s since 1999 If I am wrong please forgive me , my head is still spinning trying to keep up with who is starting.

quote:

Originally posted by Myka:

quote:

Originally posted by SGTB:
Brady Quinn explains to Solomon Wilcotts why he's prepared to start vs. the Broncos.


http://www.nfl.com/videos

hope this works.

Here is the direct link you were going for....

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80c408c7

^^^^^^^^^^Thank you for the help.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

quote:

wright never even turned to look for the ball. wow really all on Anderson.

So your defending Anderson for throwing to a guy who wasn't looking? Interesting logic you have. Maybe blame it on whoever let the defender through before the play developed, but to put that int. on Wright makes absolutely no sense.

As far as the Quinn era beggining, lets hope its the last era we need for 12-15 years.