Browns’ Quinn settles for 2nd

By MARY KAY CABOT

Derek Anderson’s 2007 play has earned him the right to be Cleveland’s starter.

CLEVELAND — Brady Quinn will probably log more minutes than Derek Anderson in tonight’s preseason opener against the Jets and attempt more passes. He’ll probably also see more No. 10 jerseys in the stands than Anderson’s No. 3 and hear his name chanted more.

But when he walks off the field after about two quarters of work, he knows nothing will have changed. Anderson is the starting quarterback and virtually nothing Quinn does in these preseason games is going to unseat him.

“I wish that were different, but at this point in time, from what the coaches and the organization want out of this, that’s kind of where they’re pushing,” Quinn said. “Obviously, you’d like there to be more competition. I think everyone wishes that were the case. But that’s not reality, so you kind of have to roll with that situation.”

Despite few opportunities in camp to throw to Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow or Donte Stallworth, Quinn continues to fancy himself a first-teamer.

“You have to,” he said. “Things happen for a reason. There’s no reason to sit there and be upset by your opportunity.

“I’ve talked to too many quarterbacks who have done well and who are doing well now in this league who have said ‘if I could go back and do it over again, I would’ve continued to work as though I was a starter and not gotten down or frustrated with the situation.’ There’s really nothing you can do. It’s out of your control.”

Quinn tries to take it in stride when folks compare his camp to that of Anderson, despite the fact that Anderson is surrounded by Pro Bowlers such as Jamal Lewis, Edwards, Winslow and Joe Thomas. Quinn, on the other hand, was impressed when a questioner correctly pronounced the name of his new go-to tight end Brad Cieslak, who’d be a third- or fourth-teamer if Winslow and Steve Heiden were healthy.

“It’s tough to sit out there and get an evaluation from that,” Quinn said of the difference in the supporting cast. “All you can really do is go back to yourself and how you’re improving. I’m a perfectionist, so even if it’s decent, I never think it’s good enough.”

Anderson will play about a quarter against the Jets and Quinn will play most of the second and third, Crennel said. Ken Dorsey will be the closer. It could well be Quinn’s most extensive playing time until the final preseason game.

“My biggest thing is getting more time and experience, and getting comfortable with hopefully some of the guys on the [first team] and everyone else you’ve been working with throughout camp,” said Quinn.

Meanwhile, Anderson — who’s been heating up in camp — will continue to hone his timing with Edwards and develop it with Stallworth.

“Braylon and I talk after each completion or incompletion,” said Anderson.

Stallworth, the Browns’ top offensive free agent signing, missed the first week of camp with a pulled hamstring, but is starting to find his rhythm with Anderson.

“I grab him every day after practice and talk to him, make sure we’re on the same page, tell him what I’m thinking, what I expect from him and I think it’s getting there,” said Anderson.

Crennel is looking forward to seeing what Stallworth and the other newcomers bring.

“I hope to see some of Stallworth’s run-after-catch,” Crennel said. “I also want to see how the new people fit into the defense, how the defense operates and who will hit and who will compete. I want to see how the rookies react to the environment with people in the stands and it actually counting.”