Anderson, Edwards connecting again

08.04.2008

No matter if it's in a game or practice, it's getting to be a familiar sight to Browns fans.

Quarterback Derek Anderson throwing the home-run ball to wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

They hooked up twice last Friday on Family Night and twice more -- for touchdowns -- in Monday morning's training camp practice. The first was on a post pattern down the middle of the field, while the second was on a go route along the right sideline.

Anderson hit Edwards in stride both times, drawing loud cheers from the fans. Those plays looked like some of the 16 TD passes they combined on in 2007, allowing Edwards to set a team record for scoring receptions in a season.

"It's fun," Anderson said of the long passes to Edwards. "With his abilities, height and ability to jump, for me it is just giving him a chance to make a play. I enjoy watching him make plays."

Last year at this time, as Anderson battled Charlie Frye in camp in an open competition for the starting job, he and the receivers had no real rhythm with each other. There wasn't enough time for that.

Now all that has changed, which is key.

"The biggest factor in completing long passes is being on the same page, the same angle and getting the ball out there," Anderson said. "Braylon and I talk after each completion or incompletion -- what I saw, what I thought, how his route was, where I threw the ball -- just so he understands what I am thinking at all times."

With Anderson and Edwards helping to lead the way, the Browns had one of the most productive offenses in the NFL last year, scoring 402 points, one of the highest totals in team history. Now how do they enhance that?

"Continue to make plays and convert more on third down," Anderson said. "I think everything we have done through camp and during the scrimmage (Family Night) was progress.

"We are not running exactly the same things as last year. We have new things, getting guys in different positions and just continue to make plays."

He added, "But obviously, we are going to stick to the things we were successful with."

Like Anderson's long, arching passes to Edwards.