Crennel: Fans had no influence on decision to start Quinn

Nov 4, 2008 - 7:57 PM BEREA, Ohio (Ticker) -- Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel may feel like he can't win.

Crennel got criticized for staying with Derek Anderson too long, and now he is getting scrutinized for benching Anderson in favor of Brady Quinn.

Some observers have suggested that Crennel made the switch because of public opinion, as Cleveland fans have been clamoring for Quinn for several weeks.

Following last week's 37-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, chants of "Brady, Brady" rained down from the crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Crennel insisted, however, that the change is not a case of giving into the demands of the fans.

"I felt like that we needed a different dynamic on the offense, so that's why I made that decision," Crennel said Tuesday.

After the loss to the Ravens, Quinn remarked that "everybody always loves the backup."

Quinn also is popular with the Cleveland fans because he is an Ohio native who grew up rooting for the Browns as a boy. The former Notre Dame star will make his first career start Thursday against the Denver Broncos.

"We're not throwing in the towel," Crennel said. "We're not giving up on the season. I think Quinn will represent himself and represent the Browns very well. This is a lifetime opportunity for Brady to be the quarterback of the Browns."

Still, Crennel made the switch Monday, just hours after insisted that he was not planning a change.

The 22nd overall pick of last year's draft, Quinn takes over a disappointing Browns team that has stumbled to a 3-5 start halfway through the season after winning 10 games in 2007.

Cleveland is 28th in the NFL in total offense and 27th in scoring.

"(Anderson) was disappointed, but he's a pro," Crennel said. "He'll handle it. Quinn is a professional, has been all along. He was thankful for the opportunity and he'll make the most of the opportunity."

The 6-3, 235-pound Quinn appeared in just one game as a rookie, completing 3-of-8 passes for 45 yards in a 20-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers in last year's season finale.

Following a record-setting career at Notre Dame, Quinn was drafted to be the Browns' quarterback of the future but took a back seat last season when Anderson broke onto the scene en route to a Pro Bowl nod.

Anderson led the Browns to a 10-6 record, passing for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns. However, after being rewarded with a three-year, $24.5 million contract in the offseason, he has struggled to find consistency this year as the NFL's 31st-ranked quarterback.

Anderson completed 17-of-33 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The interception was returned 42 yards by Terrell Suggs for a game-clinching touchdown with under three minutes remaining.