Quarterback Derek Anderson hit out at the Cleveland fans after the Browns ended his topsy-turvy five-year spell with the team.
Former Pro Bowler released from Cleveland, aims shot at fans
Quarterback Derek Anderson hit out at the Cleveland fans after the Browns ended his topsy-turvy five-year spell with the team.
The 26-year-old was a Pro Bowl selection in 2007 after he threw for 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in leading the Browns to a 10-6 record and looking like a real prospect.
However, Anderson suffered a massive fall from grace and never managed to get anywhere near that production again, and lost his starting job to Brady Quinn at the start of last season.
Injuries and poor form from Quinn still gave Anderson a chance, but in seven starts he completed less than half of his passing attempts and threw ten interceptions.
Even when playing in the win over the Bills he managed just two completions for 23 yards as the Browns squeezed out a dire 6-3 victory in Buffalo.
Fans fury
Anderson suffered the wrath of the fans as the Browns started to slip into obscurity, as they believed Quinn was the answer, and Anderson could not hold his tongue after his release.
"The fans are ruthless and don't deserve a winner," Anderson wrote in an e-mail to
The News-Herald. "I will never forget getting cheered when I was injured.
"I know at times I wasn't great. I hope and pray I'm playing when my team comes to town and (we) roll them."
The signing of Seattle back-up Seneca Wallace and the fact Anderson was due a $2 million bonus and $8 million salary made the decision an easy one for the Browns to make.
"I want to thank Derek for everything that he gave to the Cleveland Browns organisation over the last five years," coach Eric Mangini said in a statement. "He did everything we asked of him, and it was a pleasure to coach such a competitive person. I want to wish him all the best in the future."
New Browns president Mike Holmgren may still opt to use one of the team's 11 draft picks to bring in a young quarterback with Wallace not exactly a star of the league and Quinn hardly impressing in his opportunities.
