The Problem with Derek Anderson (December 27, 2007)

This has been a dream season for Cleveland Browns’ fans. After watching a putrid product on the field for years, Browns’ fans were treated to high scoring, competitive football every weekend this season. The city embraced the “Believeland” moniker, and NFL pundits have openly stated that the Browns are the surprise of the NFL this season.

There’s no bigger of a surprise than quarterback Derek Anderson. A third year player and former sixth round pick, Anderson has been instrumental in pulling the Browns from the ashes.

So there’s no problem, right? Well, not exactly.

While Anderson has big numbers, one cannot know everything there is to know about Anderson’s play just by his stats. Last week, I wrote a blog entry about how the Browns needed to take care of their own business to get into the playoffs. They controlled their own destiny. With a win, they would be invited to the post-season party.

 

 In that blog, I also mentioned that the Bengals posed a serious threat. I stated that Cincinnati has a potent offense, and that Cleveland cannot afford to get behind against the Bengals.

I mentioned that Derek Anderson, in particular, has a penchant for slow starts early in games. Slow starts that put his team in a large hole.

As an example, I mentioned the Arizona Cardinals game, where Anderson threw two interceptions and fumbled a snap--all before the first half. The result? The Browns lost a very winnable game. In last week’s article, I wrote that another “slow start by Anderson could have the Browns down by fourteen or even twenty-one points early in the game.”

Last Sunday, Derek Anderson threw four interceptions--two of which were in the first half. By halftime, the Bengals were ahead 19-0. The result? A Browns’ loss, and the potential to miss the playoffs entirely.

Move over Sylvia Browne, there’s a new psychic in town.

One didn’t need to be a prophet to see this outcome, however. This has been Anderson’s problem all season. While Anderson has a laser arm, and is a big quarterback similar in build to Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger, Anderson creates turnovers. A lot of them.

While Anderson has thrown 28 touchdowns this season, he has also thrown 18 interceptions. For all of Anderson’s positives, he can be counted on to make two or three boneheaded plays that may realistically cost the team the game.

Many may argue that it’s not fair to pick on Anderson. This is a team game. He’s essentially a rookie. He’s still young. The team is learning how to win. The defense allows too many points. All of these statements are true--I am not disputing that.

However, a quarterback must be many things. One of them is a Manager of the Game. A quarterback must protect the football. He must know when to throw the ball, and when to just throw the ball out of bounds. Anderson, young or not, does not seem to possess the ability to manage a game when it’s most needed. There is little excuse in losing to the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Another issue that cannot be overlooked is Derek Anderson’s offensive line. While Anderson is certainly still young and learning, he has one of the best offensive lines in football blocking for him. Anderson has only been sacked thirteen times this season--the least amount of sacks among active starting quarterbacks in the league. Comparatively, Tom Brady and Tony Romo, the top two statistical quarterbacks in the league, have been sacked twenty and twenty-three times respectively.

Anderson is certainly getting time to stand in the pocket and make the right throws. The problem, however, is that Anderson forces throws. He makes poor decisions. His sporadic accuracy hurts his team.

This Sunday, the Browns will play the San Francisco 49ers in a meaningless game. Whether the Browns win or lose, it makes no difference for their playoff hopes.

Every player and fan in Cleveland will be tuned to Sunday Night Football, hoping and praying the Colts beat the Titans. Therefore allowing the Browns’ entrance into the playoffs.
If the Browns indeed clinch a wildcard berth, Derek Anderson will have a shot at redemption. In a city nicknamed “Believeland,” that’s all we can hope for.