Derek Anderson: Franchise QB?
Adam Schefter reported yesterday that the Cleveland Browns are considering the franchise designation on starting QB Derek Anderson.
There is obviously a lot that can happen between now and free agency, so speculation on the future of Derek Anderson remains very much in flux. BUT, this news is noteworthy for a number of reasons:
- Derek Anderson is a RESTRICTED free agent — The franchise designation is almost always used by teams on UNrestricted free agents as a way to keep them from leaving. In this case, Anderson is a restricted free agent, meaning the Browns have the rights to keep him regardless. But slapping the franchise tag on Anderson would provide the Browns protection; any team signing him to an offer sheet would have to give the Browns TWO first round picks if the Browns opt not to match the deal.
- Derek Anderson was considered an afterthought just a few months ago — Can you talk about rags to riches? Here’s a guy who, at the start of this season, looked like the odd man out. Charlie Frye was the present. Brady Quinn was the future. And now? Anderson would be looking at TOP FIVE QB money if he got franchised. TOP FIVE money as in, Peyton Manning/Carson Palmer/Tom Brady/Donovan McNabb/Marc Bulger money.
- Brady Quinn’s future suddenly becomes much cloudier — I’m sure Brady Quinn is a good teammate and is happy that Anderson is helping the Browns win games, but a part of him has to lament the way things are turning out. His dream of being the hometown savior appears very much in jeopardy, and those lofty incentives built into his contract are getting harder and harder to realize, to boot.
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