Who said training camps weren’t exciting? First it’s Frye, then it’s Quinn, and now we’re getting ready for Derek Anderson to lead the Browns into the 2007 season. Can Romeo Crennel just make a decision already? Actually, no, he can’t. And I’ll tell you why.Crennel is in what is undoubtedly a make or break year. If his Browns can’t surface around average and stay in the wild card race near the end of the year, he’s gone. But maybe that’s what would be best for this orginization. With all the hype of another black coach getting hired in this league maybe fans and analysts alike overlooked the fact that Crennel was Bill Belicheck’s understuday. Not his running mate, his student.
But in this modern drama, where is Romeo’s Juliet? Where is his answer to rescue him from the depths of demotion and/or firing? Because if you’re thinking Cleveland’s offense is lacking because of Crennel, you’re terribly mistaken. Look at his so-called weapons. Braylon Edwards can’t stay healthy, Joe Jurevicius is aging and too often injured, and don’t even get me started on the constant guessing game that has become Kellen Winslow. And let’s be honest, Reuben Droughns was a huge mistake and he clearly benefited from Denver’s goliath offensive line and running scheme. You can’t move the ball running with a fullback.
But let’s keep our focus toward the present, and inevitably, the future. What is going to help turn this team around? Well, drafting Joe Thomas was definately a step in the right direction. And acquiring Quinn how they did was phenomenal. So throw him in there and hope for the best. Let him do wonders with Edwards, Winslow, and Jurevicius. Right? Wrong.
Let’s go with former 6th rounder Derek Anderson, who isn’t very accurate and lacks great arm strength. What a terrible decision. Or is it? Crennel is playing it safe. He’s using a guy that will be an easy scapegoat when the team starts losing, (and they will lose) which will make an insertion of a slightly unprepared rookie quarterback a much easier transition. We wouldn’t want to ugly up the face of the franchise (Quinn) right away, now would we?
For those of you that think Crennel hasn’t learned anything from Belicheck, this move proves you wrong. He’s doing what needs to be done. Nothing against Anderson, in fact, I was a huge fan of what he did at Oregon State. And I’ll cheer him on from day one and up until his journey back to the bench, but it is very clear that Quinn is the guy and that Frye and Anderson are only fighting for a 4-5 game stint that may completely ruin their careers.
So what is Derek Anderson to do? Well, he could win. If he can scrounge out a few victories and delay Quinn’s promotion, he just might be able to show everyone he’s good enough to be a franchise quarterback. Either way, he can at least take solace that he’s the reason why Crennel will get another year.