With a 7-4 record and second place in the AFC North Division, Cleveland Browns starting QB Derek Anderson has yet to silence his critics who believe that he is not the future quarterback for the team. Even with the outstanding season he is having as the Browns signal-caller, some pretty high-profile skeptics still have their doubts.

Anderson's ability to run the team's offense was questioned severely before taking his first snap this season. I can recall watching The NFL Today Show on CBS after the Browns first game when then starting QB Charlie Frye stunk it up like a 10-pound bucket of chitterlings at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I listened to former Houston Texans GM Charlie Casserly, now CBS analyst, take his shots at the quarterback, saying that he scouted Anderson and that he is not the answer for the Browns at quarterback.

Keep in mind Casserly also scouted QB David Carr and made him the No. 1 pick of the 2002 NFL draft, and we all know how that story ended. Casserly's comment came on the heels of head coach Romeo Crennel's decision to bench Frye in favor of Anderson.

Despite the negative talk Anderson took command of the offense in the second game of the season and went buck wild on the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. He has been full throttle ever since... Ninth in the league in passing, throwing for 2,758 yards, tied with Brett Favre for fourth in the league in touchdowns with 22, and most important the Browns are winning ball games.

So why isn't he the answer at quarterback? You got me!

Fast forward to the show a couple of weeks ago, Casserly again offered up his thoughts concerning Anderson. This time the former GM wanted to advise teams who could have an interest in the quarterback to beware of what they give up for him via a trade or in free agency because he could be a one-year wonder.

Now one could easily accuse Casserly of drinking some Haterade, but he does make a very valid point here. You don't want to give up too much for a player with limited experience. I chose to stay away from using the term "unproven" because I believe Anderson has proved a lot this season and has far exceeded expectations.

Casserly was referring to the theory of the Browns giving Anderson, who will become a restricted free agent at seasons end, the highest contract tender for a RFA. According to recent reports, the team will likely do just that. The tender of $2.562 million would guarantee the Browns a first- and a third-round draft pick from any team offering Anderson a long-term contract to run the show on offense.

There is no doubt that Anderson will draw significant interest from other teams when free agency hits, but talk of a contract is the furthest thing from the young quarterback's mind.

"I'm not going to discuss any of that right now," Anderson said when asked about possible contract strategies. "That stuff will take care of itself when the season is over, but right now we're trying to stay focused."

The team must maintain its focus throughout the regular season as it makes its push for the playoffs. The Browns travel to Arizona this week to take on an unpredictable Cardinals team who has victories over division foes Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Even with the 'Cards missing two of their starters in the secondary, S Adrian Wilson and CB Eric Green, the gunslinger Anderson is not taking the defense lightly.

"They have a solid defense and are very athletic up front," he said. They lost a player in their secondary last week, but other guys have been stepping in and making plays."

Anderson will have to be at the top of his game Sunday when he comes face-to-face with the opportunistic secondary that picked off Bengals QB Carson Palmer four times. Two of which were returned for touchdowns. 

In closing, so-called experts can make their assessments of Anderson's ability on the field, but the one thing they can't measure is his heart. The team's GM, coaches and players on the team believe that the sky is the limit for the quarterback.

Despite his critics Anderson is proving that he is one Special Brownie.