Football - General
SECOND HELPING
By Randy Setterberg
Nov 7, 2007, 23:56

He subscribes to the theory that having something come easy isn’t worth having. He must; after all, Derek Anderson was an oh-by-the-way 6th-round flyer taken by Baltimore in 2005. Now you’d think that a 6' 6" quarterback, the first to lead Oregon State to three consecutive Bowl game appearances in their 112-year history, would get at least a cursory look during training camp. Didn’t happen, and the Ravens released him outright, where Cleveland claimed im off waivers on September 20 two years ago. And thus began one of the most impressive rises to NFL stardom in recent memory.

Anderson remained inactive for the rest of the 2005 season and appeared in five games in 2006, thrown into action only when Charlie Frye suffered a bone bruise late in the season. Anderson finished with 5 TD’s against 8 INT’s and did just about everything possible to convince the Cleveland brass that he wasn’t a long-term solution. So as the 2007 NFL draft approached, the Browns were in need of a franchise quarterback to supplant anointed starter Charlie Frye, and when Brady Quinn’s name was called at 22nd overall, Anderson defaulted to third on the depth chart and a potential practice squad participant became a distinct possibility. So he had two choices: wade in self-pity, or tighten the chin strap and get to work. Derek Anderson chose the latter.

After the team’s disastrous opening day debacle against Pittsburgh, Frye was jettisoned to Seattle, and once again, Anderson was seen as a stop-gap until the real Browns’ quarterback was deemed ready. But a funny thing happened on the way to Brady Quinn’s orange and brown indoctrination: the invitation, fully addressed and stamped, was never mailed. Coach Romeo Crennel was fully prepared to replace Anderson if he struggled, but in week two he completed 20 of 33 passes for 5 TD’s as Cleveland upset heavily favored Cincinnati. That performance has set the tone for the season: the Browns have won three straight games for the first time in three years and at 5-3 meet Pittsburgh this weekend for a chance to share the lead in the AFC North.

Derek Anderson has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s ranked fourth in the league in passing as is on pace to surpass 4,200 yards and throw 34 TD’s. The last time a Cleveland quarterback threw for 30 TD’s in a single season, Brian Sipe was taking snaps 27 years ago and Oakland’s Mike Davis snuffed out the Browns’ championship hopes with an interception in the end zone. Anderson hopes to erase those bitter memories with a contemporary post season run of his own.

But he’s gonna need help. The Browns, while ranked fourth in the NFL in total offense, are dead last in total defense, giving up an abysmal 412 yards per game. And their biggest challenge awaits them: the Steelers have beat Cleveland eight straight since 2003, and if you include two playoff losses, have laid a beat down on the Browns in 21 of the last 24 meetings dating back to 1994. In their first meeting, Pittsburgh created five turnovers and sacked Cleveland quarterbacks six times - and have only gotten better. Pittsburgh ranks #1 in pass defense and #1 in points allowed.

But this is a different Cleveland franchise that may be peaking at the right time. Their comeback overtime win against Seattle was an exhibition of character and tenacity; something this perpetually dormant franchise has been lacking. But more than anything, this team believes in its new leader. Anderson’s calm in the pocket is a stabilizing force on a franchise looking for direction. As long as Anderson is at the controls, the only game-day action Quinn will get is the occasional photo op. That baptism-by-fire invitation intended for Quinn will remain in Crennel’s pocket, and the Cleveland Browns will be a better team for it.

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