The worst thing Derek Anderson ever did was sign a piece of paper that gave him $14 million guaranteed, and potentially $24 million. All Browns fans, I'm assuming given the vitriol aimed at Anderson before his “Browns fans are ruthless” comments hit the web yesterday, would not sign such a document given the chance.

Right? You'd pass, Browns Fan, on $14 million?

Thought so.

My Facebook and Twitter feeds Tuesday afternoon were inundated with vitriol for Anderson and glee over his release. Let me be clear: Anderson played terribly when he got another chance this season. Brady Quinn stunk it up to start the season and Eric Mangini panicked, putting Anderson back in the lineup.

Anderson choked away his chance at re-establishing himself as a top-flight starter; maybe he had no chance because he never was a top-flight starter, only an opportunist who cashed in on about 12 good games. I couldn't argue with you; but shouldn't any anger in this situation be directed at Phil Savage, who gave Anderson the contract? Mangini, who is so thin-skinned he had to trade Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards, depriving Anderson and Quinn of anyone who actually could make a play downfield?

The truth is, Anderson in 2007 provided this town's football fans with their greatest collective moment since the team's lone post-comeback playoff appearance, when Kelly Holcomb took the Browns to the postseason in relief of Tim Couch.

And stuff like this is what Anderson gets for it? Of course, that's in addition to the ridiculous scene in a 2008 game against the Colts, when, with Anderson laying on Browns Stadium's turf with an injury, fans cheered. Anderson cited that in his Tuesday post-release comments.

You don't think stuff like this gets around the NFL? That the Browns' unbelievable botching of Josh Cribbs' contract situation doesn't get around? D'Qwell Jackson? I could go on and on and on; let's face it: the “tradition” the Browns once could employ as a recruiting tool simply doesn't fly any more.

The best the Browns have done today is Donte Whitner — a Cleveland native, of course — backing Browns fans. Who wants to play in a city where fans — if they come to the game, of course; that's no easy feat, given last season's turnstile trouble — turn on players so quickly?

Stay classy (“Anchorman” lines, some not work-appropriate), Derek Anderson? I say stay classy, Browns fans.

Coming Thursday (as promised today): A look at how baseball teams' attendance compares to winning percentage.

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