OconRecon Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 BEREA, Ohio - As Brady Quinn broke the practice huddle, Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days began blaring over the speaker system at Cleveland Browns training camp. He should hope it isn't an omen. The quarterback's most recent glory days came a few years ago at Notre Dame. Despite all the hoopla and commercial endorsements trumpeting his NFL arrival, Quinn hasn't fulfilled expectations as the No. 22 overall pick in the 2007 draft. Quinn isn't even assured of starting in 2009, having to battle Derek Anderson for the spot this preseason. But rather than let time slip away and leave him with nothing except youthful nostalgia like Springsteen sang about, Quinn is trying to recapture the magic that made him such a promising pro prospect. Quinn's offseason training focused on bettering his footwork, balance and quickness. He invited two of the team's young wide receivers (rookie Brian Robiskie and Lance Leggett) to work out with him in South Florida. Quinn also immersed himself in trying to learn the system being installed by new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Such assiduousness is exactly what first-year Browns coach Eric Mangini hoped would happen when declaring an open competition at quarterback rather than naming Quinn the de facto starter because of his lofty draft status. "He's been outstanding in terms of the attributes you look for in a quarterback," Mangini said from inside his office at Browns headquarters. "His work ethic, the way he tries to bring the team together ... You like all those things about him." The competition between Quinn and Anderson still seems neck-and-neck after a Sunday intrasquad scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Quinn opened with a 51-yard touchdown pass and completed 11 of 19 throws for 121 yards with an interception. Anderson's numbers weren't as impressive (12-of-21 for 107 yards with an interception) but he did run for a score. The scrimmage was just one factor Mangini will weigh before naming a permanent starter. Mangini wants someone who commands the huddle, recognizes incoming blitzes and has the savvy to audible if needed after reading the defense. Through two weeks of camp, Mangini said the Quinn/Anderson competition was so close that frontrunner status will sometimes "fluctuate from period to period as to who's having the better day." Mangini said he's in no hurry to name a starter, but plans to stick with that quarterback indefinitely once the decision is made. "Somebody is going to pull ahead," Mangini said. "I'm looking for the player who can run the offense the best, not just athleticism." Quinn got his first Browns start midway through last season in place of Anderson, who was benched after failing to duplicate his same success from Cleveland's 10-6 campaign in 2007. Although the Browns lost a close game against Denver, Quinn was impressive in a 239-yard, two-touchdown debut. Quinn then led Cleveland (4-12) to its last victory of the season over Buffalo before fracturing his finger the following week against Houston and landing on injured reserve. The 2008 Browns were one of the NFL's worst offensive teams, not scoring a touchdown in the final six games that Quinn missed. It's fair to wonder how much better Cleveland will be this season without standout skill-position players besides wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Tight end Kellen Winslow was traded to Tampa Bay, Joe Jurevicius was released and fellow wideout Donte' Stallworth was indefinitely suspended following his guilty plea to DUI manslaughter. But Quinn should benefit from playing in a Charlie Weis-flavored offense with similarities to the one that helped him set 36 school records at Notre Dame. Quinn said he has become a more patient passer, allowing plays to develop rather than trying to force throws. There is personal maturity as well. A self-described "hermit at times," he is no longer constantly hanging out with teammates like in college and high school. Quinn now finds joy in solo late-night workouts and film study as well as spending downtime with his one-year-old boxer Boss. Quinn also has gotten involved in promoting pet adoption. "He's grown a whole lot from when he first got here," Browns running back Jamal Lewis said. "He's motivated. He's from Ohio. He wanted to play here. You just hope the best for him and that he can accomplish all he wants out of his career." Browns' coach Eric Mangini has a tough decision to make before the season begins. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) Quinn is driven by the fact he's regarded as something of a hometown hero, having played high school football in the Columbus suburb of Dublin roughly two hours away. Quinn takes his community standing so seriously that he inks autographs for dozens of children every day after training camp practice even when he's not scheduled by team officials to sign. Watching him mingle with kids, it's hard to choose who gets more out of such sessions. The 24-year-old Quinn couldn't stop chuckling when leaving the field recently after one overly-excited youngster blurted, "I'm your favorite player!" rather than the other way around. "It's been tough not playing but it's been a blessing being here because there's so much support," Quinn said. "We've got the greatest fans and being able to have your family come up and see you every week is awesome." Quinn's approach toward football and life also gives "glory days" an entirely different meaning than Springsteen did. "I fall back on my faith at all times," said Quinn, a devout Catholic. "Through the adversity and ups and downs, I thank God for the position I'm in. I'm blessed to be here on this team." The only thing Quinn needs now is Mangini's blessing to start. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9914770...se-and-maturity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaygroundLegend Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Thats a great article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumbergh Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 nice fluff piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OconRecon Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 nice fluff piece. Bam! Here's another: Quinn should emerge as the answer to Browns QB question By Thomas George | NFL.com Senior Columnist CLEVELAND -- Situations. You hear the Cleveland Browns talk a lot about situations. About two-minute drill situations and goal-line situations and kicking situations. You have to give new head coach Eric Mangini this: His message of situational football is cemented. "You're not out there just running plays," Mangini said. "These plays have to be put into context. You have to play complementing football." Indeed, after Cleveland's Brown and White Scrimmage inside Cleveland Browns Stadium before a few thousand fans, one of the first things Mangini said was how much he liked "some of the situations we had." Some they had practiced. Some they had not. What a bounty to teach, to coach from next week, he said. No one among the Browns placed their biggest "situation" under a spotlight. That would be the quarterback situation. When the Browns talk about it, they try to make it as ho-hum as an extra-point-drill. Well, here, even that is a noble situation. "There is no such thing as 'the little things,'" offensive tackle George Foster said. "It's all about doing things the right way all the time. Whoever the quarterback is, our job is to keep him clean. We plan on doing that." They don't even say Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, the two quarterbacks sizing up their situation. One is going to become the starter, the other the backup and somebody is going to feel, naturally, left behind. One has to be the better choice for starter in the Browns' 2009 situation, right? Which one? "We are not like the media," tight end Martin Rucker said. "Those two guys are competing like everyone else. Today, it was in heat. It was 90 degrees out there." Let's go to linebacker D'Qwell Jackson to bring this situation home. A second opinion NFL Network's Jason La Canfora agrees with Thomas George -- Brady Quinn is likely to top the depth chart at QB for the Browns this season. More ... He said: "DA, Brady (here we go), those are two of the hardest-working guys on this team. Regardless of who wins, I am going to do everything I can to support and help them not fail. Not only the offense but the defense and the special teams have to rally around the choice. Whoever gets the nod we are going to embrace. We are all about change and production this year. What we have done in the past has not worked. Point blank." Anderson was 12 of 21 for 111 yards with an interception and a rushing touchdown in the scrimmage. Quinn was 11 of 19 for 121 yards with a 51-yard TD toss and 1 interception. Anderson's team won 17-14. Quinn's team drove for a tying field goal in the final seconds and the kick bounced off the left upright. "We are making sure their reps are fair, their chances are similar," Mangini said. "We will make a simple decision that is based on who gives us the best chance to win." I think that will be Quinn. I think it should be the choice. He has prepared himself differently this season, mentally and physically. His conditioning has been strong. His mobility is exceptional. He brings a level of excitement that is evident in the players around him. When plays break down, he can improvise. When sticky situations arrive, he is a strong communicator. These Browns do not have the weaponry that the elite AFC teams possess. Something has to offset that. I think Quinn's "IT" factor at quarterback helps give them an answer. Mangini counts on this: "The most important concepts we do have are we work and we play smart football. These are things you do every day and you build on them and before you know it you have a winning attitude and atmosphere." He believes in versatility. The Minnesota Vikings are going to be here in Cleveland for both teams' regular-season openers. First up, the Browns encounter sizzling running back Adrian Peterson. Now, that is weaponry. The Browns are going to discern early where they stand in framework and attitude and discipline vs. weaponry. It looks clear. Their most potent offensive lineup is with Brady Quinn as the starting quarterback. http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greythan Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Brady's so dreamy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegasdogg Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 While I hope Quinn is the choice, I just really hope we choose a guy that can stay long term. This every season QB crap is getting old. (this is my first iPhone post. I am such a BB junkie) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OconRecon Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 While I hope Quinn is the choice, I just really hope we choose a guy that can stay long term. This every season QB crap is getting old. (this is my first iPhone post. I am such a BB junkie) Agree. And the iPhone rocks. OBR has an app, but it blocks the subscription stuff. A free app though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingphisher Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 nice fluff piece. I kinda feel bad for DA. He's got the tools, but no mobility and no confidence. He will not emerge as the starter. I wonder if he knows he has a stalker in the Portland area who dumpster-dives for his old jock straps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Masters Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 I kinda feel bad for DA. He's got the tools, but no mobility and no confidence. He will not emerge as the starter. I wonder if he knows he has a stalker in the Portland area who dumpster-dives for his old jock straps. It kind of is what it is. If the mental part of the game never fully clicks for DA it won't be the first or last time a QB with all the physical tools had that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadWombat Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Hey Riffer....errr....Lums.....why don't you post us some DA fluff pieces. I've looked all over, but can't seem to find any... Let's see if you can find them....I couldn't... Dangit, Inspecta... You beat me to it. As for the BQ article.... thats nice that he's getting attention, but honestly I am surprised the media is still looking at him like he's the Savior of the Browns. We keep on seeing articles praising his strengths such as inteligence and work ethic, but In reality he's been doing just adequate in practice so far. Those traits don't seem to be translating into touchdowns just yet. Quinn may be our hope for the future, but right now much of this fandom is largely unwarranted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel88 Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Dangit, Inspecta... You beat me to it. As for the BQ article.... thats nice that he's getting attention, but honestly I am surprised the media is still looking at him like he's the Savior of the Browns. We keep on seeing articles praising his strengths such as inteligence and work ethic, but In reality he's been doing just adequate in practice so far. Those traits don't seem to be translating into touchdowns just yet. Quinn may be our hope for the future, but right now much of this fandom is largely unwarranted. I believe quinn is the type of player that does a lot better when its show time, and there have been plenty of great quarterbacks who've been the same way. Im willing to be when he starts saturday he comes out and does a real nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pl4tinum Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Here's the DA version of the "fluff" article (Thanks Lum): BEREA, Ohio - As Derek Anderson broke the practice huddle, Ludacris' "Move, Bitch" began blaring over the speaker system at Cleveland Browns training camp. He should hope it isn't an omen. The quarterback's most recent glory days came in 2007 as quarterback of the Browns. Despite having no hoopla and commercial endorsements trumpeting his NFL arrival, Anderson hasn't fulfilled expectations as the No. 5132 overall pick in the 2005 draft. Anderson isn't even assured of starting in 2009, having to battle against real quarterbacks for the spot this preseason. But rather than let time slip away and leave him with nothing except a pimpslap like Ludacris sang about, Anderson is trying to recapture the magic that made him such a fluke of a pro prospect. Anderson's offseason training focused on bettering his masturbation, balancing a pez dispenser on his cock head and fumbling snaps. He invited the team's young wide receiver Syndric Steptoe and also invited Rick Astley and Michael Bolton to work out with him in South Florida. Anderson also immersed himself in a bathtub full of his own urine (in a suicide attempt gone wrong) trying to learn the system being installed by new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, because he just couldn't hack it. Such assbackwardsness is exactly what first-year Browns coach Eric Mangini hoped would happen when declaring an open competition at quarterback rather than naming Quinn the de facto starter - he figured Anderson would falter so badly, he would have no choice but to allow Quinn to win the competition outright. "He's been outstanding in terms of the attributes you look for in a waterboy," Mangini said from inside his office at Browns headquarters. "His jerk ethic, the way he tries to bring the team drinks ... You like all those things about him." The competition between Quinn and Anderson still seems silly after a Sunday intrasquad scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Quinn opened with a 51-yard touchdown pass and completed 11 of 19 throws for 121 yards with an interception. Anderson's numbers weren't as impressive (12-of-21 for 107 yards with an interception) but he did run for a water bottle that he bobbled and dropped onto the field. The scrimmage was just one factor Mangini will weigh before naming a permanent starter. Mangini wants someone who commands the huddle, recognizes incoming blitzes and has the savvy to audible if needed after reading the defense. Through two weeks of camp, Mangini said the Quinn/Anderson competition was so far apart that frontrunner status will sometimes "fluctuate from period to period because Anderson has PMS." Mangini said he's in no hurry to name a starter, but plans to stick with Quinn indefinitely once the decision is made. "Somebody named Anderson is going to pull my cock head, and that player is DA, and he will be my bitch," Mangini said. "I'm looking for Quinn to win, he's the guy who can run the offense the best, not just kick DA's ass in athleticism." Quinn got his first Browns start midway through last season in place of Anderson, who was benched after failing to play the position without swallowing, and couldn't duplicate his same success from Cleveland's 10-6 campaign in 2007. Although the Browns lost a close game against Denver, Quinn was impressive in a 239-yard, two-touchdown debut. Quinn then led Cleveland (4-12) to its last victory of the season over Buffalo before fracturing his finger the following week against Houston and landing on injured reserve. The 2008 Browns were one of the NFL's worst offensive teams, not scoring a touchdown in the final six games that Quinn missed. It's fair to wonder how much better Cleveland will be this season without standout skill-position players besides wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Tight end Kellen Winslow was traded to Tampa Bay, Joe Jurevicius was released and fellow wideout Donte' Stallworth was indefinitely suspended following his guilty plea to DUI manslaughter. But Quinn should benefit from playing in a Charlie Weis-flavored offense with similarities to the one that helped him set 36 school records at Notre Dame. Quinn said he has become a more patient passer, allowing plays to develop rather than trying to force throws. There is personal maturity as well. A self-described "hermit at times," he is no longer constantly hanging out with teammates like in college and high school. Quinn now finds joy in solo late-night workouts and film study as well as spending downtime with his one-year-old boxer Boss. Quinn also has gotten involved in promoting pet adoption. "He's grown a whole lot from when he first got here," Browns running back Jamal Lewis said. "He's motivated. He's from Ohio. He wanted to play here. You just hope the best for him and that he can accomplish all he wants out of his career." Browns' coach Eric Mangini has a tough decision to make before the season begins. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) Quinn is driven by the fact he's regarded as something of a hometown hero, having played high school football in the Columbus suburb of Dublin roughly two hours away. Quinn takes his community standing so seriously that he inks autographs for dozens of children every day after training camp practice even when he's not scheduled by team officials to sign. Watching him mingle with kids, it's hard to choose who gets more out of such sessions. The 24-year-old Quinn couldn't stop chuckling when leaving the field recently after one overly-excited youngster blurted, "I'm your favorite player!" rather than the other way around. "It's been tough not playing but it's been a blessing being here because there's so much support," Quinn said. "We've got the greatest fans and being able to have your family come up and see you every week is awesome." Quinn's approach toward football and life also gives "glory days" an entirely different meaning than Springsteen did. "I fall back on my faith at all times," said Quinn, a devout Catholic. "Through the adversity and ups and downs, I thank God for the position I'm in. I'm blessed to be here on this team." The only thing Quinn needs now is for Anderson to continue to xxxx himself in the ass every time he steps on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownIndian Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 As long as he shows the same characteristics in the game i'll be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumbergh Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Here's another fluff piece, rookie yr I believe it’s vital he be bought along slowly, even though I’ve been nothing but impressed with everything Quinn has done to this point in his pro career. He has a talented arm, plenty of smarts and leadership ability that can’t be taught. And he definitely has impressed no less an authority than the greatest Browns player of all time, Jim Brown. “This guy is special,” said Brown, who served as a guest analyst for the Broncos game. Asked about the fact Quinn is doing things a rookie shouldn’t be doing, Brown said, “When special people come along, they break all the rules.” Brown says he understands why the fans have taken to him so quickly. “He represents the future and people recognize it,” said the Hall of Famer. Quinn hasn’t allowed himself to get caught up in all the adoration coming his way. “I don’t pay attention to it (the chants of “Brady, Brady, Brady.”). And as long as Quinn remains a backup, he will also remain the most popular player on the team. And that’s not a bad way to spend your rookie season, even if he doesn’t get to play more than just a few snaps. His time will come. And when it does, he could very well end up reminding a lot of people of Bernie Kosar and/or Brian Sipe. Both of them were known for their brains; their ability to maximize their talent, and for their leadership ability. In addition, they also were fan favorites. Right now, Quinn shows the potential to achieve the first three. And if he does, then his status as fan favorite won’t fade once he puts down the clipboard. oops actually that was an article about Charlie Frye and his rookie year, with the name Frye replaced with Quinn. Wow the parallels between Quinn and Frye are uncanny aren't they? http://cle.scout.com/2/430975.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZBrowns Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Here's another fluff piece, rookie yr oops actually that was an article about Charlie Frye and his rookie year, with the name Frye replaced with Quinn. Wow the parallels between Quinn and Frye are uncanny aren't they? http://cle.scout.com/2/430975.html Not really... There wasn't any on-the-field analysis to compare in what you put up.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegasdogg Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Wow the parallels between Quinn and Frye are uncanny aren't they? 23 TDs and 20 TO's a year parallels DA with mediocrity. That isn't good, it is barely mediocre, and it sure as hell won't get ya much but fluff. Time to see what the other guy can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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