With QBs like Cleo Lemon starting for some teams, Browns QB Derek Anderson is going to be a hot commodity this offseason.

There are new rules for the football economy: Have one big season as a young quarterback, and you’re set for life.

Just look at Tony Romo. The Cowboys QB was offered $67 million over six years after just one year as a starting quarterback. Derek Anderson might be this year’s Romo.

It’s not so much because Anderson threw for 3,787 yards and 29 TDs–though that certainly plays into it. It’s because depth charts reveal names like Tavaris Jackson and Cleo Lemon as a team’s starter.

Derek Anderson is a restricted free agent, and the Browns want to keep him, but having drafted Brady Quinn, you have to wonder how much the Browns are willing to shill out for an unproven, 19-interception guy who threw away the team’s playoff chances in a number of games, notably against Cincinnati week 16. The market for him will likely generate asking prices far exceeding anything rational for the Browns’ future.


The days when each team could have a capable, if not good, quarterback are long gone. With league expansion, the talent level of key positions has slowly been eroding. It has come down to the point where a star quarterback means a team is so much better than the competition, that every team either has a star or is looking damn near everywhere for one. Which is why a breakout season means so much for Derek Anderson.

Average doesn’t cut it anymore. Heck, even good quarterbacks are one step away from the firing squad. Carson Palmer is getting questioned in Cincinnati after throwing for 4,131 yards. Philip Rivers had a bad season with a bad coach. Now he’s hearing it.

Tavaris Jackson

Yet, Derek Anderson, who had an average season, might have a hefty contract next season. Being in his third year overall and first year starting, 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns looks good.

Especially when Vince Young had 2,546 yards in 15 games and 9 interceptions and 17 touchdowns. When Tavaris Jackson couldn’t even break 2,000 yards for Minnesota, an average of 159. Kellen Clemons averaged 153 for the Jets, and Brodie Croyle averaged 136 for the Cheifs. Then we’ve always got old friends like Joey Harrington, Jon Kitna, and Rex Grossman.

Some of these team’s rosters read like quarterback obituaries:
Carolina Panthers: Vinny Testaverde, Matt Moore, David Carr, Jack Delhomme, Brett Basanez
Chicago Bears: Kyle Orton, Brian Griese, Rex Grossman

You can thank Michael Vick for this one:
Atlanta Falcons: Chris Redman, Joey Harringon, Byron Leftwich, DJ Shockley

There’s so many unknown quarterbacks, you have to start associating their names with music to remember them. Like the Washinton Redskins fourth stringer, Sam “I Ain’t No Hollenbach Girl” Hollenback.

Point is, with so many teams and so little talent and so much desire for owners to change their fortunes quickly, hot young quarterbacks sell. And with the desire to get good and remain good, what’s hot last week, may not be hot this week. You know it, Marc Bulger (just below Trent Edwards in QB rating this season). You know it, Chad Pennington. And you certainly know it, Donovan McNabb.

So if you do get that big contract as a franchise-saver, Derek Anderson, just remember one thing: The fans aren’t going to give you the benefit of the doubt when you fumble the game-winning field goal snap because you were spending too much time with your girlfriend in Cancun the week before the game.

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