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The opportunity for the Browns to not only make the playoffs but go deep into them might not last many seasons when the following is considered:
u Rob Chudzinski will be a head coach by 2009 if the Browns' offense is as successful as it was last year. A void would have to be filled.
u Every time Kellen Winslow Jr. is tackled, the coaches have to hold their breath and wonder if his right knee will allow him to stand. He could be one major injury away from never playing again.
u Jamal Lewis is 29, coming off his best season in five years. His tank isn't empty, but it's less than half-full. The warning light might come on in another year.
Some fans don't like the idea of Savage declaring Anderson the starter because of the new $24 million contract Anderson agreed to Friday, thereby relegating Quinn to the bench for a second-straight year seemingly without allowing Quinn to challenge Anderson. First off, saying Anderson is the starting quarterback heading into training camp is not the same as making him Starter for Life.
Having a designated starter for the opening of camp makes a lot more sense than Anderson and Quinn splitting time in an open competition. Coach Romeo Crennel tried that last year with Anderson and Charlie Frye and it did not work. Frye was in a funk throughout camp and preseason. Anderson didn't have time to develop, which makes what he did when given the chance to start in the second game so remarkable.
Quinn fans will be happy to know the former Notre Dame quarterback isn't conceding anything. He spoke with reporters for just over three minutes yesterday at the Cleveland Auto Show inside the IX Center, and without challenging Anderson or Savage to a duel, he talked about competition four times, about leading the Browns three, and three more times about taking over the starting job. Always knowing exactly what to say, Quinn said he does not want to Ôplay out' a controversy and extending Anderson's contract is good for the Browns.
''My goal is to take this team to the playoffs,'' Quinn said. ''That's something we weren't able to do last year. I want to try to take over the starting job and lead our team.''
When a reporter asked him how difficult it would be to sit again next season if he has to, Quinn answered:
''I'd rather address that when it would actually happen. I don't want to play out scenarios right now. At this point in time there's a lot of time left just to get better and see how the situation unfolds. I'm going to work hard, prepare and work for a starting job.''
At the end of last season Crennel said Anderson is the starter for 2008, based on Anderson winning 10 games last year. He did not change that stance yesterday, but he said Anderson will still have to compete with Quinn to hold onto it. His stance differs from Savage saying the fat contract makes Anderson the starter.
''Both of those guys are going to compete and then we'll see who gives us the best chance,'' Crennel said. ''We've always done it that way and that's what we're going to do.''
As always is the case because quarterback is such a high profile position, the attention given to Quinn and Anderson obscures the bold moves made in acquiring Corey Williams from the Packers for a second-round draft pick and Shaun Rogers from the Lions for a third-round pick and Leigh Bodden.
Rogers comes with a lot of baggage - and a lot of Shaun. His program weight is 340 pounds, but he is closer to 370 by some estimates. He did not get along with his coaches in Detroit and last August he was accused of entering the dressing room of a topless dancer and groping her. Prosecutors investigated and decided not to press charges.
Rogers was suspended four games in 2006 for taking a banned diet supplement. He had knee surgery while he was out and played in only six games. He came back in 2007 and had a career high 7.5 sacks, but he also went six straight games without a sack. The Lions lost all six games, tumbling from 6-2 to 6-8. But he is also a two-time Pro Bowl player and along with Williams, Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith he should make the Browns a better run defense.
The key person in the Rogers trade is Crennel. In fact, Savage said he might not have made the deal if he did not think Crennel could keep Rogers motivated.
Rogers turns 29 next month. He has three years left on his contract. If he plays up to his potential, something he did not always do in Detroit, he will be well worth a third-round pick and Bodden, the cornerback who struggled last season.
There are no motivational worries concerning Williams. Williams, a four-year veteran, is entering the prime of his career. He is under contract with the Browns through 2013.
Savage is hopeful Rogers and Williams will do for the defense what guard Eric Steinbach and Joe Thomas did for the offense last year. If that happens, the Browns will be playing football in January, and no one will lament being without a pick until the fourth round of the draft next month.
Likewise, if the Browns make the playoffs, no one should lament the decision to carry Anderson and Quinn.
''I think our team is ready after last season and knowing the kind of schedule were going to face -- we need to be as good as we can be,'' Savage said. ''It's time for us to take another step. I think the moves that we made put us in position to potentially do that.''
A 10-6 record wasn't good enough to make the playoffs last year. To get better the Browns had to make the bold moves they did.
