Why is everyone so upset about Mangini not naming a starting QB yet?Last night, instead of keeping the Quinn-Anderson competition going, Mangini decided to give both QBs the night off. It seems a decision had been made -- he's just not telling us what it is.
Apparently, Mangini has seen enough but is not ready to share what he's decided. And, boy, does this seem to really piss some people off.
Let's look at this rationally, OK?
First, as I've said all along, I think the whole QB competition was merely a charade orchestrated solely for the purpose of raising Anderson's stock so we can trade him and get some value in return.
Thus far, Anderson has played well enough not to stink it up in the preseason. He posted good numbers against Detroit (the Lions, for goodness sake ... you think having him start that game wasn't planned?).
If Mangini had followed through with the rotation and started Anderson last night, it would have been a huge risk. Say Anderson goes out and lays an egg against the Bears or, worse yet, gets injured. There goes any chance of trading him and getting something in return.
On the other hand, if Mangini had started Quinn last night it would have sent the message, loud and clear, that he was the team's starting QB for the season. And, there goes the trade value of Anderson.
By giving both QBs the night off, he's keeping everyone guessing. Maybe Quinn is the starter, or maybe it's Anderson ... Who knows? A starting QB is more valuable to trade than a backup.
Now, there has been speculation by some that Mangini is keeping this a secret so as to surprise the Vikings and make them prepare for both QBs, rather than one or the other. Give. Me. A. Break.
Do you honestly think Minnesota cares who it faces in Week 1? Me neither.
Lastly, I've heard people compare Mangini's indecision about the QB to Crennel's. Let's be clear here: This is not the same at all.
Crennel, honestly, had no idea who to start at QB (hence the coin-flip decision and subsequent trading of Frye). Mangini has not once exhibited that kind of uncertainty.
The difference is, Mangini simply won't announce to the media who his starter is, whereas Crennel couldn't decide who his starter should have been. For all we know, Mangini has known all along (which I suspect is the case), but simply chooses not to share that information.
Mangini operates on a need to know basis with the media, and this something he simply believes the media doesn't need to know right now.
Did anyone every stop to think Mangini might be playing the media a little bit with this QB competition, perhaps to draw attention away from some of the other problem areas on the team? No one is talking about anything other than this QB competition. Why? Is the rest of the team that good?
Did anyone every stop to think Mangini might be playing the media a little bit with this QB competition, perhaps to draw attention away from some of the other problem areas on the team? No one is talking about anything other than this QB competition. Why? Is the rest of the team that good?
Let's face it, how many big decisions have been made because coaches and management have given in to media and fan pressure? Has that ever been a good thing?
Mangini is sending a message, loud and clear, that this is his team and he'll run it however he pleases. That doesn't sound like an indecisive person to me. And, it doesn't sound like a totally bad thing either.
I just know Quinn is going to be the starting QB for the Browns this season and for many seasons to come. I don't need an official announcement today. I can wait.
Go Browns!
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