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Quinn to make first start as Browns host Broncos

Nov 4, 2008 - 5:36 PM Denver (4-4) at Cleveland (3-5), Thursday, 8:15 pm EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- For weeks, Cleveland Browns fans have been clamoring for quarterback Brady Quinn to start ahead of struggling Derek Anderson. They can stop shouting.

The Quinn era officially begins Thursday, when the popular former Notre Dame star makes his first career start against the Denver Broncos.

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

"Everybody always loves the backup," said Quinn, who 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 the 2007 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 and is the NFL's 31st-ranked quarterback.

Anderson completed 17-of-33 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's loss to the Ravens that dropped the Browns to 3-5. The interception was returned 42 yards by Terrell Suggs for a game-clinching touchdown with under three minutes remaining.

Cleveland's struggles aren't entirely Anderson's fault. Top receiver Braylon Edwards has just 26 receptions - and 13 drops - after catching a career-high 80 passes last season.

Cleveland center Hank Fraley defended Anderson on his radio show Monday night.

"Maybe they feel like (Quinn) will bring a spark," Fraley said. "It's tough because Derek is a great guy, a team leader and a captain. It's a shock to everyone on the team. It's their decision and we're going to have to live with it."

The Broncos (4-4) head to Cleveland with problems of their own, having dropped three in a row, including last week's 26-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in which Jay Cutler threw a career-high three interceptions.

Denver, which managed just 14 yards rushing last week, has been decimated by injuries to its backfield, placing running backs Michael Pittman and Andre Hall on season-ending injured reserve Monday.

Pittman, the Broncos' leading rusher with 320 yards, suffered a neck stinger in an October 20 loss to the New England Patriots. He started on Sunday but left in the first quarter after aggravating the injury. Hall has a hand problem.

The Broncos already have been without expected starter Selvin Young, who has missed the last three games with a groin injury.

In addition, Denver's defense, which is ranked 29th, has not been making enough big plays. In the last five games, the Broncos have no points off turnovers - compared to 60 for their opponents.

The only saving grace for Denver is that it still has a one-game lead over San Diego (3-5) in the weak AFC West.