More Qs in QB derby following scrimmage

By GEORGE M. THOMAS

Neither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson had a clear edge in the practice game.

CLEVELAND — Coach Eric Mangini got a look at what he will have to work with this season as the Browns split into two squads to do battle Sunday afternoon at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Brown team beat the White team 17-14 in a scrimmage that showed plenty of work still needs to be done. But if Mangini was looking to answer the most pressing question of the preseason — who will be the starting quarterback? — he didn’t get the answer. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn were both inconsistent.

Quinn got the attention of the fans and the coaching staff when he dropped back, threw the ball deep and hit wide receiver Lance Leggett for a 50-yard touchdown on his first play from scrimmage.

“Lance is an extremely fast guy. We just really wanted to do some play action to see if we could pull the safeties and get behind the coverage, and he did,” Quinn said. “He ran a great route and the offensive line did a great job holding up.”

Mangini liked what he saw of that play.

“You always like to start the game that way,” he said. “It was a really good example of how quickly one team can get momentum in the game.”

With four preseason games to be played, Mangini will have plenty of time to look at Anderson, who played with the first offense, and Quinn.

“I thought both guys had their moments on the plus side and the side that we still need to work on,” Mangini said.

Anderson completed 12-of-21 passes for 107 yards and an interception, and he scored a touchdown on a 6-yard scramble. He played his best when he drove the Brown team from its 8-yard line to the White’s 14-yard line before being picked off by linebacker D’Qwell Jackson at the 2-yard line. Jackson, who nearly picked off another earlier in the game, returned the pick 40 yards.

Anderson wasn’t discouraged by the scrimmage.

“It wasn’t as good as we’ve been practicing in tempo and throwing, [but] we’re getting better and I like the things that we’re doing,” he said.

Quinn completed 11-of-19 passes for 121 yards, a touchdown and an interception that would turn into a Phil Dawson field goal and the difference in the game.

Kick-return specialist Josh Cribbs continued to make his case for being the No. 2 wide receiver. He caught six balls for 63 yards and showed development. He has said film study and bending the ear of veteran receivers have helped him.

Mangini said he likes what he sees from Cribbs and his development will come as he gains more experience on the offensive side of the ball.

“I like the way that he can get open. He’s a strong player, and he’s able to gain some separation,” Mangini said. “He just needs to continue to refine the routes, continue to see the coverage unfold as he starts to build in his route and know what the exact adjustment is.”

On defense, Shaun Rogers, who played for the White team, harassed Anderson when the two were on the field together. At one point, Anderson tossed the ball in the defensive lineman’s direction, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Overall, Mangini said he liked what he saw, but he realized it’s practice. Quinn agreed, putting the scrimmage into perspective.

“It’s really hard to gauge your progress and how things are going until you get into a regular-season game scenario, just because the speeds are so different,” he said. “And a lot of guys you’re playing with and against may not be there during the regular season.”