Mangini continues QB controversy

Published 2:09 am Tuesday, September 29, 2009

BEREA — Brady Quinn’s reign as the unquestioned leader of the Browns’ offense didn’t even last three games.

Cleveland again has a quarterback quandary, though this one isn’t expected to last nearly as long as the first.

After taking the entire preseason to choose Quinn as his starter over Derek Anderson, Browns coach Eric Mangini said he will announce on Wednesday who will start this week against Cincinnati (2-1).

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“We’ll go back and look at the game and look at some other things,” Mangini said Monday, without elaborating what those “other things” entail. “Look at the operation when both guys are in and then look at who gives us the best chance to move the ball consistently.”

Based on Sunday’s 34-3 loss at Baltimore, that might be difficult to determine.

Quinn was yanked at halftime after throwing an interception, failing to generate any points and producing five first downs on Cleveland’s five first-half possessions. By the time Anderson entered, the Browns (0-3) were buried in a 20-0 hole and forced to pass on nearly every play. Anderson threw three interceptions in the second half.

“There’s nobody happy with where we are right now,” Mangini said. “That’s across the board.”

Where are the Browns?

— They’re last in the league in total offense and 29th in total defense.

— Now that Detroit has won a game, Cleveland’s nine-game losing streak is the second-longest in the league behind St. Louis. The Browns’ lone offensive touchdown over that span came during the final minute of a blowout loss to Minnesota in the opener.

— Quinn’s passer rating of 62.9 ranks 29th among the league’s 32 starting quarterbacks.

— The Browns have converted 6 of 30 third-down opportunities with Quinn at quarterback.

“What I look at is what gives us the best chance to win the next game,” Mangini said. “That’s the most important thing. Both guys did some things on Sunday that are positive. When you have turnovers, it’s hard. You’ve got to be able to move the ball consistently. You’ve got to take advantage of opportunities that are there.”

Quinn has relied on his tight ends and running backs in developing a short passing game that has nearly ignored the Browns’ top offensive playmaker, receiver Braylon Edwards.

Edwards has 10 catches and has failed to score a touchdown through three games. He has been mysteriously quiet since Sunday’s loss, declining to speak to reporters after the game and not making himself available during the open locker room session on Monday.

“We’re frustrated, too,” linebacker David Bowens said. “But we have 53 men on this roster that are men and willing to stand up and be accountable and correct things.

“It’s three games. People say it’s the end of the world, but to us it’s not. We have a game on Sunday that we’re preparing for. We watched the film on Baltimore, got our corrections, got it behind us and now we’re moving forward.”