Solving that pesky QB problem in Cleveland

This column is intended for Browns fan, assuming, of course, the few remaining die-hards haven't already gauged out their eyes with the wrong end of a butter knife or joined the Witness Protection Program.

Derek Anderson made his first start of the 2009 season last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals after Head Coach Eric Mangini benched starter Brady Quinn in the middle of a week 3 tail-kicking in Baltimore.

Anderson filled in admirably in a tough spot, completing 26 of his 48 pass attempts for 269 yards and a touchdown in a heart-wrenching 23-20 overtime loss.

Anderson's touchdown pass represented just the second offensive TD all season long for the Browns.

All told, Cleveland scored 20 points Sunday, the most the team has scored in any game thus far.

The fact that Anderson was able to breathe some semblance of life into an offense that was dangerously close to flat lining has only fueled the ongoing debate by the lake...

Just who should be quartbacking the Cleveland Browns?

The answer is not quite as simple as it may seem.

Brady Quinn is a better overall quarterback than Derek Anderson. That is, he has a greater skill set, he's more mobile and should be the long-term solution in Cleveland.

It's like my buddy Alan said in a chat on August 13, Anderson couldn't beat out Charlie Frye in training camp a couple years ago and everyone seems to forget that.

But here's the thing.

Anderson is not the guy long term in Cleveland. However, he gives the Browns the best chance to win right now.

"Wait," you're undeniably thinking right now, "that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

It's not, and here's why.

Quinn is a better quarterback than Anderson, but Anderson has a couple things Quinn does not: a big, big arm and an ability to play without worrying about throwing an interception or making a costly mistake

Anderson can make more big plays down the field than Quinn and because the Browns are simply unable to sustain long scoring drives, big plays throwing the football are really the only way Cleveland can hope to put points on the board.

The Browns scored their first touchdown last Sunday when Anderson found Steve Heiden on a play action pass in the corner of the endzone. That play, however, was set up by a 29-yard pass from Anderson to rookie receiver Mohammed Massaquoi--a play that Quinn probably doesn't make.

The official scoring summary of that drive: 4 plays, 38 yards.

In the interest of fairness, it should be noted that Cleveland's second touchdown drive midway through the third quarter was a crisp 10-play 63-yard drive that saw the Browns move the ball efficiently down the field.

The last six points posted by Cleveland Sunday was a pair of Billy Cundiff field goals that resulted after a Bengals turnover and a long punt return by Josh Cribbs.

I'm not hating on the Browns or Anderson or Quinn, I'm simply demonstrating my point, which is that Cleveland's feature back right now in the absence of injured Jamal Lewis is James Harrison and the Browns offensive line is inconsistent on a good day.

Consequently, The Browns are simply not going to be able to move the ball down the field with any degree of regularity and therefore the only real chance they have to score points is by creating big plays and Derek Anderson gives them the best chance to do just that.

Brady Quinn will start down the road for the Browns, probably at some point again this season, but right now Derek Anderson should be taking snaps under center in Cleveland.

Now that you know what we think. Let us know what you think, who should be starting at quartback in Cleveland? Comment here or leave a message on our Facebook wall and let your opinion be heard!