Thoughts from Training Camp
Now that training camp is in full bloom and the first preseason game is nearly a week away, I'd thought I'd share an article assessing the Browns training camp so far....
From:
Scribbles on the Browns: Assessing QBs is a matter of style and taste - Cleveland Browns News, Schedule, Players and Multimedia from The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com
The moment I put the names Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson in the same sentence, that's enough for some fans to immediately start up their emails with some serious opinions and huge expectations, especially for Quinn. Well, I've watched three different practices, and I can assure you that the Browns have two very different QBs in Anderson and Quinn.
*Browns quarterbacks Derek Anderson (3) and Brady Quinn (10) have contrasting skills at the position, which makes analyzing their games more complicated.
Let's start with this: Overall, Anderson has looked better. Part of it is due to Anderson usually working with the first team. It's more fun to throw to Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth than to Travis Wilson, Paul Hubbard, Martin Rucker and Kevin Kasper. And yes, Rucker and Kasper have made some nice catches and show promise, but they are not Winslow and Edwards. Hubbard dropped 20-yard pass from Quinn, and a few other passes were dropped. I do like how Rucker (6-foot-4, 260) is a big target with good hands and should see some playing time.
Let's remember this: Anderson has a much stronger arm, and a slightly quicker release. He threw a 50-yard pass to Stallworth seemingly with a flip of the wrist. Stallworth beat A.J. Davis badly on the pattern. When Anderson plays, the Browns have a more vertical offense. The ball goes downfield. The receivers know it and love it. The defensive backs, especially safeties, worry about it -- and play off the line of scrimmage. Running backs also love his strong arm because it means linebackers and safeties are farther from the line of scrimmage, giving them more room to run.
Let's also understand this: Anderson is a gambler. He threw one pass at a receiver surrounded by four defenders. It wasn't picked off because a couple of the defenders collided. I watched part of the practice with ESPN's Chris Mortensen. We go back to the early 1980s when he covered the Braves for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and I was the PD's baseball writer. Mortensen watched that throw by Anderson and mentioned that Tom Brady and Brett Favre both told him that they'd sometimes try ridiculous passes in practice just to see if they could do it. What you want the QB to do is not to try them in the games, especially when it's close.
Let's not forget: Anderson is 25, has started only 18 games and usually it takes a starting QB three seasons to reach his peak. He can learn, and he can get better. Quinn has thrown a grand total of eight NFL passes. He never even played in the first half of a preseason game -- that has to change this August. When Quinn plays, there are shorter passes, more sprint-outs, more throws of 5-to-15 yards. He is pretty crisp and confident. He also has developed a chemistry with Wilson, who has made some nice catches near the sideline on down-and-out patterns.
Let's see: Quinn has not thrown that many passes downfield. It is not his comfort zone, just as some of the in-between throws that Quinn does well seem awkward for Anderson. My point is the two QBs will require two types of game plans. The good thing is watching them, you don't wonder, "Why would any team draft these guys?" They both have to look of a starting NFL quarterback.
Mortensen believes the Browns "made the biggest off-season deal" in getting Shaun Rogers, and thinks he'll "make a huge impact" on the line. He said it's exactly the kind of deal a team in the Browns' position should have made. He also thinks it's wise to keep both QBs, given the schedule and how we really haven't seen that much of either QB in real NFL action.
*A spectacular catch by Joshua Cribbs during Thursday's workout emphasized the former Kent State quarterback's wide-ranging athletic gifts.
I hope it's more than a summer mirage, but cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald have been two of the best players in camp. These guys are optimistically listed at 5-foot-10, but they are quick and tough. I remember a couple of small CBs named Dixon and Minnifield who made fans cheer. Wright seems very savvy, switching coverages in the zone defense and just knowing how to be in the right place when it matters most.
In the goal-line drills, Joshua Cribbs made a great catch of a quick sideline pass from Quinn. I've watched Cribbs dating back to his days at Kent State, when it seemed he threw passes to himself as a QB. Cribbs believes he can do about anything on the field, and he's probably right. As a QB, he was more effective as a runner than a drop-back passer. But he was scary to the defense whenever he had the ball.
Cribbs also hired a plane to fly over the practice field with a banner wishing his wife, Maria, happy sixth anniversary. Mrs. Cribbs was there with some of the other players' wives, and it was a smart move by the Browns Pro Bowl special teamer.
It seems Braylon Edwards drops one easy pass per practice. He also will make some amazing leaping catches. But he's been challenged by McDonald and Wright. Winslow has had a strong camp. Having battled hamstring problems, Stallworth is now rounding into form and you can see the speed that made him attractive to the Browns.
I absolutely, positively hated to hear about Antwan Peek's "minor" knee surgery. Yes, he is supposed be ready for the opener, but I wonder. He missed two games last year and was hobbled for several others with ankle problems. In 2006, he missed five games to injuries. When healthy, he is an effective pass rusher, but he's not been that healthy with the Browns.
Replacing Peek at outside linebacker are Willie McGinest, David McMillan, Shantee Orr and rookie Alex Hall. McGinest will play on first down, and against the run. The Browns say the veteran is as healthy as any time since joining the team in 2006. But he also is 36. This is McMillan's chance to show he belongs on the team -- he has too much experience to be on the practice squad. Hall is a seventh rounder, but you can see the quickness and raw talent. Orr has quietly impressed the coaches. Hopefully, two of these guys can produce.
