BEREA —Coach Eric Mangini wouldn’t commit Monday to starting Brady Quinn at quarterback, despite Derek Anderson being in the midst of the worst four-game stretch in the NFL in the last 28 years.
Mangini defended Anderson and said he’d use the bye week to analyze the situation and pick a starter for the home game versus the Ravens on Nov. 16. Anderson was 6-for-17 for 76 yards, two interceptions and a 10.5 passer rating Sunday in a 30-6 loss to the Bears.
“In looking at the game, I think that we had opportunities and put the ball on the ground too many times,” Mangini said. “You never just want to look at the numbers, you want to always look at it in the context of the game.”
The Browns committed five turnovers. Anderson threw two interceptions against the Bears and was charged with a fumble on a botched handoff with Jamal Lewis. After the Browns cut the lead to 16-6 with a touchdown to start the second half, tight end Steve Heiden and rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi lost fumbles after completions.
“I don’t think those were a function of the throw,” said Mangini, who added they robbed the Browns of likely scoring chances.
For the year, Anderson has completed 43 percent of his passes for two touchdowns, nine interceptions and a league-worst 36.3 rating. In the last four games, he’s 29-for-87 (33 percent) for 320 yards, a touchdown, five interceptions and a 25.1 rating.
The completion percentage and yardage are the lowest over a four-game stretch with at least 80 attempts since Chicago’s Vince Evans in 1981. The 36.2 rating through eight games is the lowest since the Raiders’ Marc Wilson had a 29.2 in 1981.
NBC’s Rodney Harrison, a former New England Patriots safety when Mangini coached the defensive backs, said Anderson has to go.
“You’ve got to cut him,” he said Sunday night on television. “Eric Mangini needs to make a statement. His quarterback’s playing terrible. He looks lost out there. He has no confidence. You’ve got to get rid of him.”
Quinn won the competition in training camp, but was benched after 2½ games. He took the final three offensive snaps Sunday and is 46-for-77 (60 percent) for 409 yards, a touchdown, three interceptions and a 62.1 rating.
Lerner to meet with fans
Browns owner Randy Lerner has a meeting scheduled for today at team headquarters with two longtime season-ticket holders organizing a protest over the team’s poor performance.
Mike Randall and Tony Schafer want fans to stay out of their seats for the opening kickoff of the Ravens game, which will be shown on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” They want the stadium to be empty, which would show their displeasure and be an embarrassment for Lerner.
Mangini on Lewis
Mangini was asked about running back Jamal Lewis’ comments after the game that he would retire after the season. Lewis also questioned the organization’s plan.
“Everybody makes decisions as to when they decide to leave football,” Mangini said. “I know that Jamal’s approach is consistent, I know that Jamal works hard, I know that Jamal takes losses extremely hard, which is what you want. If a player didn’t take a loss hard, that’s a problem.”
Defensive end Corey Williams didn’t know how to take Lewis’ postgame remarks.
“He’s a great teammate, I know that,” he said.
Open-door policy
Mangini said part of his plan for the bye week is to give each player a tape of their individual plays from the first eight games. They can review them themselves, with assistants or with Mangini.
“That’s something I always do during the bye week is open it up to any player who either wants to have a greater role, wants to talk about their role,” he said. “To sit down, to go through their tape, to hear from me my assessment of what they can do to improve their role or their amount of play time.
“It’s been very productive and I look forward to meeting with the guys that decide to take advantage of that.”
Extra points
Right tackle John St. Clair confirmed that he poked Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye in the eye during the game. St. Clair said it was unintentional and he was surprised to see Ogunleye on the ground after the play. St. Clair told him he’d say a prayer for him, and Ogunleye took it in stride.
l The players will practice today and Wednesday and be off Thursday through Sunday.
l Linebacker David Bowens, who was moved from outside to inside Sunday, said he had never played every defensive snap in a game before.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.
