Posted on
8/9/2007 7:49:37 PM
NFL Betting - Could Late Arrival Quinn Top Three Way Battle In Cleveland
By Charles Jay
The Cleveland Browns may have been anticipating that upon trading up to draft Brady Quinn, who was slipping in the first round of the NFL draft, they were acquiring not only their quarterback of the future, but their quarterback of the here and now as well. But a crimp was put in that plan when Quinn didn't sign quickly, and as the Browns approach the beginning of their pre-season, the former Notre Dame signal-caller had just sat down and agreed to a contract. Obviously, that's the kind of thing that will put a guy behind the curve and ultimately hold him back from taking the reins at the earliest date possible.
The chances that Quinn will be the opening day guy under center increased when he signed, but he may still have wait in line. There are two other quarterbacks set to battle over the starting job - Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson. Frye, who was drafted three years ago in the second round out of the nearby University of Akron, was looked upon as a future hope by the Cleveland franchise but has demonstrated that while he can be accurate, he is mistake-prone. Frye has committed 33 turnovers in 18 NFL starts, and tossed 17 interceptions last year. Anderson tossed eight pickoffs in four starts after Frye got injured in '06, and while he is the more athletic and bigger (6'6", 230) of the two, he is also combustible. Anderson threw 41 interceptions in his last two years as a starter at Oregon State, and the feeling is that he might give away games.
Quinn was a bargain as the 22nd pick in the draft because while JeMarcus Russell, the top pick, had the higher upside, Quinn was considered to be the most "NFL ready" of the college QB's, having played in the pro-style system of Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, with great success. Weis and Browns' coach Romeo Crennel were coordinators together in New England, so there is at least a familiarity with what Cleveland is going to do offensively as well.
Understandably, Quinn's progress will be slower than it might be otherwise. So he might be considered the longshot in this QB derby. However, that is not to say that he will not eventually wrestle the starting duties away from whoever originally gets the job. That having been said, I think Anderson will have the advantage over Frye in that he has more upside and the Cleveland staff may want to see how far he can go with his potential before deciding what to do with him. Frye may fit in well in this league as a backup.
THE CHARLES JAY LINE
Who will start Game 1 for the Browns?
* Derek Anderson -140
* Brady Quinn +130
* Charlie Frye +280
Who will throw for the most yards for the Browns this season?
* Brady Quinn -240
* Derek Anderson +180
* Charlie Frye +350
If Brady Quinn wins the battle, one can assume Irish eyes will be smiling.
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Charles Jay of TotalAction.com is a freelance writer and oddsmaker who contributes with gusto to the BetUS.com Locker Room