Time is running out on Derek Anderson’s second chance with the Browns, so he’s working overtime to stop the clock.

Anderson is coming off the worst statistical three-game stretch in the NFL in more than two decades. He’s completed 23 of 70 passes for 244 yards, a touchdown, three interceptions and a 30.9 rating over the last three weeks.

Anderson said he doesn’t pay attention to the numbers - “I honestly know they are garbage,” he said - but is painfully aware he’s not getting the job done.

“Obviously I haven’t been good enough to my standards, to (coach Eric Mangini’s) standards or to anybody’s,” Anderson said. “I am working every day, trying to get everybody going on the same page and get us a win and play football how we know we can do it.”

Coordinator Brian Daboll remains in Anderson’s corner but has turned up the heat when talking to reporters. After the Steelers game, he blamed some of the drops on Anderson’s throws and Friday he said Anderson needed to improve his accuracy.

“Complete more passes. I am being serious,” Daboll said. “There are some plays last game that I know he feels he left out there. Probably more so than the first couple games.

“It’s not all Derek by any stretch. But if we can get those easy, quick completions and get it into the hands of our playmakers a little bit earlier, it puts you on a better track offensively.”

Despite the slump, Anderson’s attitude remained positive as he approached today’s matchup with the Bears’ 16th-ranked defense. He kept encouraging the receivers - no matter how many drops they’ve had - and put in late hours watching film and designing the game plan with Daboll.

“This really was a second chance for me,” Anderson said. “I always have put the time in and put the effort in. I have just been trying to do whatever is necessary to get a win, some productivity, whatever understanding I can take from watching film, being on the same page with Dabes. That and I have nothing else to do.”

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has the heartburn to show for Anderson’s late hours.

“The guy is a great leader. You can see the way he runs the team,” Ryan said. “He’s always in the office with Daboll. Sometimes he’s bringing Whoppers with jalapenos to the rest of the coaches that are still there at night, so I appreciate a guy like that.

“He’s always around and it’s hard not to pull for a guy like him.”

Anderson is signed through 2010, but his presence on the team, let alone as the starter, is a surprise to many. Brady Quinn was viewed as the future of the franchise, and was the favorite of the fans and owner. But Quinn was benched after three starts this season, and Mangini has lined up squarely behind Anderson.

“I like the way that he’s worked,” Mangini said. “I like the commitment that he’s shown. I think that as we keep going, we’ll keep improving.”

Anderson’s trying to reward the trust and patience with a better performance, and even a win or two. He’s completed just 44 percent of his passes with two touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 40.6 rating and a 1-3 record. He said he’s always worked hard and stayed late, but there’s something different about him.

“I’ve probably learned more this year in the first half of the season,” he said. “I am enjoying the football aspect of it, not necessarily with the games right now. That’s the disappointing part. I feel like I am learning more and getting better.”

He credited Mangini, Daboll and quarterbacks coach Carl Smith for getting through to him.

“Maybe just telling things to me in a different perspective,” Anderson said. “Sometimes when you get it explained the second time or the third time or the 10th time, it finally starts to make sense. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old.”

The brutal numbers have brought cries from the media and fans for Quinn, but Anderson remains the choice in the locker room. Whether it’s his strong arm, 29-touchdown performance in 2007 or happy-go-lucky personality, the players have his back.

“I think that him being put in the right situations, he can make some things happen,” running back Jamal Lewis said. “I want him to play well. I want the best for him.”

Lewis, tight end Steve Heiden and the left side of the offensive line are the only key pieces left on offense from the 10-win 2007 season. But the defensive holdovers also remember what he can do for a team when he’s playing well.

“I think D.A.’s a great quarterback, if we get a chance to get him in the right situation, let him be him,” defensive end Robaire Smith said. “Because we sit out here and we see what he can do. We’ve seen what he can do in the past.

“Why wouldn’t we be behind him?”

Anderson was hard on himself during interviews Sunday and Monday, but had returned to his fun-loving ways by practice Wednesday.

“He’s a true competitor, so it’s going to affect him somewhat,” left guard Eric Steinbach said. “If anybody can block it out, come back and start picking it up, it’d be that guy.”

No matter how many hours Anderson puts in or how hamstrung he may be by the play calls or lack of playmakers, the Browns can only live with one touchdown in three weeks for so long.

“I don’t think we are at that point right now,” Daboll said of a quarterback switch. “Hopefully we won’t ask that question here in the next few weeks.

“If he keeps this preparation up, I really believe good things are going to come.”

The clock is ticking.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

TODAY

• WHO: Cleveland at Chicago
• TIME: 1 p.m.
• WHERE: Soldier Field
• TV/RADIO: Channel 19; WMMS 100.7-FM, WTAM 1100-AM

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