Although Browns G.M. Phil Savage recently expressed optimism that quarterback Derek Anderson ultimately would accept a three-year contract, James Walker of the Columbus Dispatch reports that the biggest snag continues to be the length of the deal.

Anderson still wants a six-year contract.

“There’s some quarterbacks out there in recent history that got six-year deals, and we’re trying to do something a little bit unique,” Savage told the Dispatch.  “In our situation, because of the makeup of our team right now, we feel like a three-year agreement is one that would work for both sides because Derek is 24 years old.  He could play three years and then potentially hit free agency again where the money could be $70 or $80 million.  So we have our reasons and they have theirs, but that’s kind of where it stands right now.”

The Browns’ reasons are that they want to retain the ability to switch to Brady Quinn at some point in the next few seasons, and that they don’t want Quinn to demand a trade if the team makes the kind of financial commitment to Anderson that would prevent the organization from benching him in the next three seasons.

Anderson’s better strategy would be to become a restricted free agent and hope that someone else will offer him a six-year deal, or play one more season for the Browns and then hit unrestricted free agency.