Courtesy of the
By Zac Jackson
At 6-foot-6, Derek Anderson knows the feeling of standing above a crowd.
Being the toast of the town, though, is still a little bit new. But that's just one reason Anderson had to watch his step Monday night at the annual Akron Browns Backers Banquet.
Everywhere he turned, fans were waiting. He's learning that's what happens when you're not only the Browns' quarterback, but the team's most valuable player. He picked up that award, as voted by the Cleveland chapter of the Pro Football Writer's Association, at the Akron banquet.
"I just told my wife that a year ago Derek could have walked in here and nobody would have known who he was," quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer said. "It's a credit to him and the work that he's done. He's worked his tail off."
A year ago at this time, Anderson was the Browns' backup and wouldn't have been busy on a May Monday night. Now, he's a Pro Bowler with a new contract and a growing fan club, but Scherer said Anderson's hard work has continued this offseason.
"The only difference," Scherer said, "is that now he gets invited to more golf tournaments."
Scherer, head coach Romeo Crennel and assistants Chris Caminiti and Anthony Lynn were part of the group honored at the Akron banquet. Phil Dawson was presented with the PFWA's "Good Guy" Award, and the 2007 Cleveland Browns Legends class was also honored.
Anderson admitted the whole rock-star experience is new, saying "I should have just worn my jeans and t-shirt and tried to slide right in. I tried to sneak in but it didn't work."
The fun lasted for just over two hours Monday night as an overflow crowd at Tangier's restaurant saluted the Browns' players and coaches in attendance for their work in 2007. There was plenty of optimism for 2008, too, and Anderson knew he'd better head north before it got too late.
The Browns will be back on the practice field Tuesday morning.
"Derek came in and won 10 for us," Crennel said. "Hopefully he can continue to do that. If he can win 10 this year, I think we have a pretty good chance."
