Hits and misses

Hits and misses

Anderson, drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round in 2005, made a lasting impression on the Browns last December when he relieved an injured Frye and rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a 31-28 overtime win over playoff-bound Kansas City.

He lost as the starter the next three weeks, but had shown enough with his strong arm to challenge Frye for the starting spot this summer. Frye won the competition but was pulled in the first half of a 34-7 season-opening loss to Pittsburgh and then traded to Seattle.

That gave Anderson his chance to keep the QB seat warm until Quinn is ready to seize it. After Anderson started last week’s game 0-for-5, that moment seemed imminent. But the five TD passes and 328 yards passing that followed have delayed the inevitable for the time being.

“It shows that he’s capable and he’s ready for this level and that he had the support,” receiver Braylon Edwards said. “He had guys around him that are willing to play for him, do the things necessary. A coaching staff that believes in him, put the game in his hands, let him make calls and plays.”

It also shows how quickly the perception of a quarterback can change in the NFL. Browns coach Romeo Crennel said quieted the calls for Quinn to take over the starting job immediately.

“Quarterbacks always get too much credit, too much blame,” Kiffin said. “Derek Anderson’s the next John Elway right now. He played really well but he had a number of guys make really good plays for him. People turn either way real fast on that position.”