Quinn to start at QB for Browns

By MARY KAY CABOT

BEREA — Brady Quinn beat out Derek Anderson for the Browns’ starting quarterback job and will start Sunday’s opener against the Vikings, an NFL source told The Plain Dealer on Wednesday.

Quinn, who went 1-2 as a starter last season before succumbing to a broken right index finger, was told Tuesday night by Browns coach Eric Mangini that he won the job, but continued to go along with the charade when he met with reporters on Wednesday.

“He hasn’t said anything to us yet,” Quinn said straight-faced. “He talked to us about it, but hasn’t told us anything about a final decision for us.”

Anderson, who wasn’t as chipper Wednesday as he’s been during preseason, may have inadvertently tipped his hand during his interview session when asked if it would be hard to keep the secret the rest of the week.

“No. Because after this next two minutes are over I’m not going to be talking to you guys. It’s pretty easy,” he said. “Obviously, the rest of us have to go about our regular preparations and continue to do what we always do and just not talk to our families.”

The last time Anderson lost a quarterback competition — to Charlie Frye in 2007 — he won it back by the second quarter of the opener against Pittsburgh, went 10-5, threw 29 touchdown passes and made the Pro Bowl.

“I’ll continue to prepare,” said Anderson. “Obviously I got in the first game. The guy who’s not playing has got to be ready.”

He also said he didn’t think the news would divide the locker room.

“Guys respect both of us,” he said. “We all have a lot of friends on the team. Guys want to win games. That’s what it’s about. I don’t think guys in here are fighting amongst each other.”

Anderson’s 2007 season also dispelled the notion that splitting reps in preseason is bad for the starter’s timing.

“All of our guys were in there together and we worked at it,” said Anderson. “We all continue to get better. I don’t think there was an issue of lack of throwing to one guy or lack of throwing to another guy.”

Quinn said he didn’t think the starter would be looking over his shoulder.

“I hope not,” he said. “I don’t think that’s in the spirit of our team and how we want to do things. We’re going to be supportive of each other whoever gets the job and continue to keep working on it.”

Mangini informed the quarterbacks in separate conversations Tuesday night, explaining why and how the decision was made.

“They both took it exactly the way that I’d expect them to take it, as pros, as good teammates,” said Mangini. “Based on the way that they’ve competed and handled this whole situation, it’s really not surprising.”

He let the rest of the players find out when the 11:30 a.m. practice was closed to the media after the first 30 minutes and the team lined up for 11-on-11 drills. By 3 p.m. Bills receiver Terrell Owens tweeted “Congrats 2 Brady Quinn for starting job with Cleveland Browns.”

As for asking the quarterbacks to keep it under wraps the rest of the week, Mangini said, “I don’t think anybody is in an awkward spot trying to maintain a competitive advantage. We all do that. That’s all of our goals.

“We’re trying to do everything that we can do to win the game on Sunday. I think everybody’s excited about doing that.”

But if Vikings coach Brad Childress has been losing sleep over the uncertainty, he didn’t let on.

“I think the big thing is that we’re getting ready for a scheme,” Childress said. “I can’t imagine they’re going to get rid of all their plays and their system.”

Quinn admitted he’d be excited to go against Brett Favre, who’s started 269 games to Quinn’s three.

“A legendary quarterback like that, it would be awesome,” Quinn said. “He’s someone as a kid you watch growing up playing in the backyard trying to emulate.”