Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

New Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini isn’t sure who his starting quarterback will be when the team opens the 2009 National Football League regular season in roughly five months. So he’s declaring it an open competition between QBs Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn:

“I’m excited about both of them. I sat down with both of them, been able to spend some time with them. I like both guys. I like a lot of the things that I’ve learned about them in terms of through the conversations and also things that I’ve seen on tape. Without knowing exactly what they were being asked to do on each of the plays, you’re projecting a little bit. But they both seemed to have good presence, a good command of the situation. And they each did different things in the passing game and the running game I liked.”

For a team that finished 4-12 last season, figuring out who’s going to be their starting quarterback might not be their biggest problem. More importantly, they need an offensive line who can protect said QBs and receivers who can catch the football. It’s pretty fundamental. But this is a crucial decision. Both players have proven worthy of the job if they can stay healthy. Derek had a breakout 2007 season and received a big contract as a result — three-years, $24 million with a $5 million bonus he collected this month. But he struggled before being replaced by Brady after eight games last season.

Brady is certainly the fan favorite. Plus he’s in the midst of his own five-year, $20.2 million contract. Coach Mangini is doing the right thing by making this an open competition, but my guess is it’s Brady’s job to lose. There is no way he isn’t the starting quarterback for the 2009 Cleveland Browns. But how long he lasts as the starter and how far he can take the team is anyone’s guess.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom