Ranking the Browns 28 Starting QB’s Since 1999
By Mitch Zoloty
No. 15: Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer is a former Heisman winner out of the Brigham Young University (BYU). He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 9th round of the 1992 draft. He came to the Cleveland Browns through a trade with the 49ers in 1999.
Fun fact for the younger Browns fans out there, Detmer was the first Browns starting quarterback since the return in 1999. He would earn two starts as a Cleveland Brown, Week 1 and Week 17 of that season. Both would be losses.
For the older Browns fans out there, you will remember the first loss, to the Steelers. The Browns came out flat and lost by a final score of 43-0.
Detmer would throw for 53 yards and a pick on 6-of-13 passinf, which seemed like it would be his last start as a Brown. Being replaced by Tim Couch in Week 2, things seemed to be back to the bench for Detmer.
He would reemerge as the Browns starting quarterback in Week 17, after an injury to Couch. Detmer would lead the Browns to almost pulling off an incredible upset, losing 29-28 to a then 13-2 Colts team.
He would finish his career as a Cleveland Brown throwing for four touchdowns, two interceptions, 548 yards, and a completion percentage of 51.6.
Detmer most recently was the offensive coordinator for BYU, but was recently let go.
No. 14: Brady Quinn
Brady Quinn was the first of the three quarterback busts the Cleveland Browns have used the 22nd pick in a draft on. The other two being Brandon Weeden and Johnny Manziel. Hopefully this is the last time the 22nd pick and the Browns should ever be mentioned again in the same sentence.
The Browns selected Brady Quinn with their second pick in the first-round of the 2007 NFL Draft, after taking Joe Thomas with their first. Quinn would be able to sit behind Derek Anderson for his rookie year.
Quinn earned 12 starts in his time as the Browns starting quarterback, only winning three of them. His first start would be a 34-30 loss to the Broncos. This was not due to Brady Quinn, who had a good game, throwing for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns. These touchdowns would both be to Kellen Winslow.
Quinn would win his next game against the Bills, but broke his finger in the 29-27 victory. He made an attempt to play the next game against the Texans, which would be a loss, but was then sidelined for the rest of the season.
He was back under center for Week 1 in the 2009 season, but be benched for Derek Anderson by Week 3. Eventually, Quinn would be thrown back in for Week 10 and managed two wins against the Steelers and Chiefs in weeks 14 and 15. He would total for about 120 yards over those two games.
The Week 15 win against the Chiefs would be Jerome Harrison’s incredible 286 yard game. Harrison rushed for three touchdowns to go along with those 286 yards. Josh Cribbs would also have two 100-plus-yard kickoff returns to carry the Browns to a 41-34 victory, despite the quarterback gaining just 66 yards and having a couple turnovers.
The following offseason he would be traded to the Broncos for Peyton Hillis. Quinn would finish his tenure as the Browns starting quarterback with 10 touchdowns, nine picks, 1,902 yards and a 52.1 completion percentage.