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Pocket Presence: Beyond Bad

Oct 14, 2009 – 2:00 PM
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Bruce Ciskie

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It's often said that a team with two quarterbacks really doesn't have any. With that spirit in mind, FanHouse will keep you updated weekly on NFL teams facing potential quarterback controversies.

Yes, he won the game. However, there's no stopping Derek Anderson from showing up high on the list of quarterback controversies every week. Right there with him is the guy Anderson inexplicably beat Sunday despite only completing two of 17 passes -- Trent Edwards. After all, if you can't beat a quarterback who couldn't even complete 12 percent of his throws, who can you beat?

Cleveland Browns: Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn

We'd all love to believe that a win solves everything. Just get something positive on the left-hand side of that won-loss record, and it's looking up from there.

But when you throw 17 passes and only find your teammates successfully with two of them, it masks nothing, except how hopelessly inept your competition must be. Anderson is no safer or more secure in this job now than he was last week, nor should he be.

Anderson had a performance that fits a 35-0 loss perfectly, but instead gave his team a 6-3 win, Anderson knows that his position is likely not stable. In order to show that he deserves to quarterback this team for the rest of the season, Anderson should consider completing at least a higher percentage of throws than JaMarcus Russell. That would be a good start.

Status update: Hot

Buffalo Bills: Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick

Yeah, remember that 6-3 game Sunday? Edwards was on the other end of that one. Turns out Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was right when he said Edwards was no Carson Palmer. Ryan could have said Edwards was no Jordan Palmer and probably been correct.

Edwards gets to throw footballs to Lee Evans and Terrell Owens, and he has Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch available to run. Seriously, how is this offense so bad? You can blame the line all you want, but when you watch this team, you see plenty of instances where Edwards has time to step up and throw, only to see that he takes a checkdown or holds the ball too long.

Fitzpatrick might not be Carson Palmer, either, but on a team with expectations much higher than 1-4, it's time to start looking for immediate help wherever possible. Including the bench.

Status update: Hot

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski

The Raiders need to do something. Yes, they have plenty of other problems besides Russell. However, the organization has to believe that they can put Gradkowski out there and not get as embarrassed as they do by Russell.

At least Russell's quarterback rating is higher than Anderson's. He has that going for him.

Gradkowski is not a star in the making for Oakland. However, every time Russell bounces a pass off the grass, it becomes more and more obvious that he isn't, either.

Unless there is a stunning turnaround on the way, Russell will go down as one of the biggest busts in draft history, despite his enormous physical stature and ability.

Status update: Very Warm

Washington Redskins: Jason Campbell and Todd Collins

Campbell isn't the problem, but the 2-3 Redskins have played far too easy a schedule to only be 2-3. They can't play winless teams forever.

The times that Collins has played, the team has usually responded well. He's a veteran who knows both this offense and his Redskin teammates very well. If Campbell underperforms against Kansas City Sunday, there could be a push to make the switch. After all, Washington hosts Philadelphia in Week 7, and even if they beat Kansas City, there will be tremendous pressure to take care of business at home and get above .500.

Status update: Lukewarm
Filed under: Sports

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