By Tony Grossi

March 09, 2010, 3:17PM

Derek Anderson heard his share of boos in Cleveland despite providing Browns fans with one of the best offensive seasons in 20 years.CLEVELAND -- Say what you want about Derek Anderson's inconsistency, his penchant for turnovers near the goal line, his inaccurate throws on short passes, his questionable decision-making in pressure situations.

Anderson, who was unceremoniously released in a two-paragraph statement by the Browns today, made a lot of people a lot of money with his rifle arm.

Himself, Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel and Rob Chudzinski -- to name four.

Anderson rescued the Browns in 2007 when he took over for starting quarterback Charlie Frye in the second half of the first game of the season. Unburdened by a nagging, pre-season competition with Frye, Anderson materialized, seemingly out of nowhere, to have a Pro Bowl season.

He won 10 of his 15 starts, threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns (against 19 interceptions), posted an above-average passer rating of 82.5, and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after other QBs dropped out because of injuries.

Anderson was scheduled to become a restricted free agent the following March. But rather than tag Anderson with the contract tender that would have netted the Browns first- and third-round draft choices in compensation if they lost him, Savage panicked and re-signed Anderson to a contract befitting an established star quarterback.

Savage later said he suspected Dallas would sign Anderson to an offer sheet with the intention of trading him to Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins. Obviously, he should have called the bluff.

Anderson signed a three-year deal for about $24 million, including about $14 million in guarantees.

Distributing the ball to Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius on a regular basis, with Jamal Lewis kicking in 1,304 yards rushing, Anderson led the Browns to their best offensive showing in 20 years and within one win of the playoffs.

After the season, owner Randy Lerner gave three-year contract extensions to Savage, the GM who brought Anderson from Baltimore in a shrewd waiver pickup; to Crennel, who posted his only winning season as coach; and to Chudzinski, the offensive coordinator who was being wooed by Baltimore for a head coach interview.

Anderson's breakout year, ultimately, had a negative effect on the Browns' fortunes.

It forestalled the original plan to turn over the team to 2007 first-round draft pick Brady Quinn and no doubt impeded Quinn's growth as an NFL quarterback.

It was still Anderson's team when everyone returned for the 2008 training camp. Everything started unraveling in the second preseason game against the Giants when Anderson suffered a concussion and numerous other regulars on offense were injured. Most of the main playmakers did not play the following two exhibition games. The season-opener against Dallas was like the resumption of preseason.

The 2008 season blew up in everyone's faces and at the end, Lerner fired Savage, Crennel, and Chudzinski. Everybody but Anderson, who was never the same. Like Quinn, he regressed in the new offense brought in by new coach Eric Mangini.

Anderson wanted out of Cleveland and did not even visit with Mike Holmgren in the six weeks he had been on the job as president. Holmgren released Anderson less than 24 hours after trading for Seattle backup Seneca Wallace.

Anderson's contract had a huge escalation in 2010, to $7.45 million in base salary, plus a $2 million roster bonus owed on March 19. That made it impossible to trade him.

But don't think he will be ignored on the open market. He's big, young (still only 26) and his arm is easy to love. He's a seasoned NFL starter now and should appeal to many coaches. Possible destinations include Arizona, Seattle, Carolina and St. Louis.