Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns / Photo: Newscom

Browns head coach Eric Mangini said what he could about the situation:

“We’re not looking to move Brady Quinn. We get calls all the time that we listen to, but Brady is a Cleveland Brown, and it’s not anything we’re looking to do.”

In other words, the Cleveland Browns aren’t actively pursuing a trade for quarterback Brady Quinn. But they are getting phone calls. And they’re listening. As far as Brady is concerned, he said he’s under contract with the Browns and is focused on the team’s next opponent—the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he does have a house for sale, which he claims has nothing to do with anything other than a shorter commute to work.

Source: NFL.com

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Browns Not Looking to Trade Brady Quinn

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns / Image: Zuma Press

I don’t know why coach Mangini was keeping this decision a secret anyway. It isn’t like prep work for Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson is a lot different. Both are built roughly the same and play a similar style game—they’re pocket passers. Derek is a bit older and slower. But he also has a bigger arm. Brady is no Michael Vick but he will use his legs when necessary—certainly more than Derek would. But there’s no huge difference here. So coach Mangini is probably not all broken up about the word getting out. He was just being difficult. (I wonder where he learned that?)

Anyway, the decision to start Brady Quinn is not a surprise. I know it’s certainly the popular decision, generally speaking, among Browns faithful. Brady is the fan favorite. I also believe he’s more versatile and gives the Browns a better chance to win. If he should go down to injury or fail to live up to his expectations, however, the Browns at least have the comfort of turning to an experienced and capable number two option.

Source: NFL.com

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Brady Quinn Will Start at QB for Browns

Brady Quinn & Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns / Photo: Newscom

While many perceive the Browns to be in an enviable position with two potential starters, neither player is taking command of new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s game plan the way the team had hoped. In fact, during two-minute drills this afternoon, both quarterbacks finished their work with interceptions.

Obviously it’s still very early in the going, but with both Derek and Brady struggling, the Browns could be looking at a longer than hoped for offensive adjustment period.

Source: Ohio.com

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Browns QBs Anderson, Quinn Still Competing

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

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Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn?

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The Cleveland Browns announced today that Eric Mangini is their new head coach. Coach Mangini was just fired by the N.Y. Jets last week, but by accepting the Browns’ head coaching position, he is, in a sense, returning home. Coach Mangini began his NFL career as a ball boy with the Browns back in 1994 under then-coach Bill Belichick. He then followed coach Belichick to New England in 2000 before eventually departing for New York in 2006.

I think too much blame was placed on coach Mangini when the Jets lost four of their last five games to miss the playoffs. Of course, he is the head coach and the responsibility of the team ultimately falls on his shoulders. But I think he got a bad rap. He’s a good football coach and will hopefully do well with the Browns. That being said, I must admit I thought the decision was very quick for a couple reasons. First of all, coach Mangini is a former defensive coordinator. He’s a defensive guy. If the Browns need to have a focus, it would be on the offensive side of the ball where they were second to last in the entire NFL and didn’t score an offensive touchdown in their final six games. Of course, their defense wasn’t much better (26th statistically) so maybe I’m making too much out of that. But I must say — typically (unless it’s the Browns), a team will hire a general manager before a head coach. And since firing former GM Phil Savage along with former head coach Romeo Crennel as soon as this regular season ended, the Browns were in the market for two key ingredients. They are still in the market for a new GM. It seems kind of backwards and obviously didn’t work too well for Cleveland the last time around. Coach Mangini will talk with the media in an intro presser tomorrow.

Source: ClevelandBrowns.com, Photo: Newscom

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Browns Name Eric Mangini Head Coach

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The N.Y. Jets fired head coach Eric Mangini today. Woody Johnson, the team’s owner and CEO, and Mike Tannenbaum, executive VP/GM, made the announcement at a news conference this morning at the Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J. According to Mr. Johnson:

“This is about the most difficult thing you can do as franchise owner, and that’s making a change at head coach. Eric’s been our coach for three years. He’s done some amazing things. Nobody’s worked harder. He knows his X’s and O’s. He’s a good teacher. But Mike and I felt it was time to make a change. It’s not a decision we reached yesterday or 10 minutes ago. This was a decision running through the season.”

Considering coach Mangini’s two winning seasons in New York, it’s hard to imagine why he wasn’t given at least another year to get the Jets to the Super Bowl. He’s a good football coach. But when you look at the way the team tanked after an impressive 8-3 start this season, I understand the desire for change. It was an extremely disappointing 9-7 finish for a team that appeared to be meshing all its impressive offseason acquisitions in wins over then-unbeaten Tennessee and division rival New England. But a tired looking Brett Favre at quarterback and poor play overall down the stretch proved to be the demise of the team’s playoff hopes and coach Mangini’s tenure in New York. The Jets will begin an immediate search for a new head coach.

Source: NewYorkJets.com, Photo: Newscom

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Jets Fire Head Coach Eric Mangini

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Cornerback Ty Law has been looking for work since the end of last season. Today, the N.Y. Jets decided to employ him just in time for Thursday night’s game against his former team, the New England Patriots. Believe it or not, he’s actually expected to contribute:

“This is going to be different playing Thursday night against the Patriots, matching up against my former team and the players I’m used to practicing against. I know they’re going to throw at me, but I welcome the challenge — bring it. I got the tricks for you ….. The Jets are going to move me around, make me a corner/safety, a corner-hybrid. A lot of guys move back inside and play. Eric (Mangini, Jets head coach) will do some creative things with me and I’ll get to mentor Darrelle (Revis).”

Ty spent most of his career with the Patriots (1995 to 2004) so he knows what they’re about. He has one season under his belt in a Jets uniform (2005). He played 2006 and 2007 with the Chiefs but has been out of the NFL since the end of last season. He’ll provide veteran depth at cornerback and safety for the Jets. He’ll only have a couple days to prepare, but it shouldn’t take him long to get acclimated because of his familiarity with coach Mangini. The Jets will be a better team for it. Anytime you can get a quality veteran player to add depth to your lineup, it only makes sense. If he can still play as good as he can talk, he’ll be a difference maker in New York’s playoff run.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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N.Y. Jets Sign Ty Law

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Is Brett Favre’s unbelievable consecutive game start streak in jeopardy? He’s listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, but only because he missed a bit of practice time this week with a bum ankle. It’s a mere formality. Brett will start. Head coach Eric Mangini isn’t too worried:

“I felt pretty comfortable a few days ago. He hasn’t missed many games in the last however many years. I expect him to be ready.”

Brett’s sore left ankle has hobbled him since he twisted it in the Jets MNF loss to the San Diego Chargers five days ago. But he has started 256 consecutive games, so it would take more than a sore ankle to keep him out of this all-important game. The Jets are 1-2 and don’t want to fall any further behind the division-leading and undefeated Buffalo Bills who are playing winless St. Louis tomorrow. I think the excitement and momentum the Jets entered the season with has waned just a bit, and they need to get their mojo back. This game against the Cards will be a tough, but very important, test.

BTW, if you’re wondering why the Jets were wearing dark helmets during practice this week, it’s because they’re pulling out the old N.Y. Titans throwbacks tomorrow. I like them better than the current Jets unis.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Brett Favre Start Streak in Jeopardy?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Brett Favre looked sharp during two drives (14 plays) in his preseason debut as the starting quarterback of the N.Y. Jets tonight. The Jets would eventually lose the game, 13-10, to the Redskins, but Brett finished his brief evening 5-of-6 passing for 48 yards and a touchdown to tight end Dustin Keller. This is borderline TMI, but here’s a rundown of Brett’s throws:

• 1st pass: 11-yard completion to Jerricho Cotchery
• 2nd pass: 10-yard completion to Chris Baker
• 3rd pass: 4-yard completion to Leon Washington
• 4th pass: Incomplete
• 5th pass: 19-yard completion to Jerricho Cotchery
• 6th pass: 4-yard TD to Dustin Keller

Brett was sacked once. He lasted 14 plays after head coach Eric Mangini said he expected Brett to take 8-12 snaps. Considering Brett has only been in camp a little over a week (his head must still be spinning), I though this was an excellent showing. And I guess with all the coverage I’ve given Brett’s “unretirement” over the past month, it really wasn’t that weird for me to see him in something other than a Packers jersey. I’m already used to it.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Brett Favre Makes Jets Preseason Debut

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It was certainly unusual to see Brett Favre practicing in a N.Y. Jets helmet, but he did just that for the first time today. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed after practice, Brett said he wondered if he had made the right decision in returning to football with the Jets:

“There were times at practice today. I was wondering if I made the right move. It’s been difficult. It’s a pretty difficult offense to learn and I’m sure the one I’ve been in the last 16 years has been difficult, too. It’ll take some time, but I think we’ll be fine.”

I had to laugh at that first part. Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to say even if it was what he was thinking. But that’s one of the many things we love about Brett Favre — his candor. I’m quite certain Brett will adjust and get more comfortable with the team’s system as each day passes. He’d better. Jets head coach Eric Mangini named Brett the starter for the team’s second preseason game (August 16) against the Washington Redskins.

Source: Yahoo! Sports, Photo: Newscom

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Brett Favre Practices With Jets