BEREA - On a grading scale, quarterback Brady Quinn's 70.4 passer rating isn't what you'd like to take home to show your parents.

Considering where the rating was before last Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, the number this week looks great. A four-touchdown, 304-yard passing performance without an interception can work wonders on a statistical sheet.

Browns fans are now wondering if Quinn can keep it up. It won't be nearly as easy Sunday when the Browns are on the road to play the 7-3 Cincinnati Bengals.

"I always think we're turning corners," Quinn said. "I think we are making progressions every week. In being a quarterback in this offense and on this team, I think we have been able to see the progressions that we've made executing the game plan that we have set out for ourselves. "

It might not have seemed like it because of the poor records of the teams, but the game last Sunday in Detroit was important for Quinn and the Browns struggling offense. After facing several good defenses (the Vikings, the Ravens twice, the Steelers and the Bengals), the offense finally had a chance to go against a poor defense (only the Browns are ranked lower the Lions).

Although the Lions won, 38-37, Quinn finally gave doubters reason to believe that he could be the starter for the long term. He connected with Mohamed Massaquoi and Chansi Stuckey on deep touchdown passes. A perfectly-thrown pass into the hands on running back Chris Jennings for what should have been a touchdown was dropped.

There must have been thoughts of vindication in Quinn's mind.

"I don't think so," Quinn said. "I think each week is an independent event from the one before. That's how we look at our preparation going into this week."

The deep throws should quiet criticism that Quinn is lacking in arm strength. That should have been put to bed when he threw a dart covering about 60 yards to Massaquoi during an intrasquad scrimmage in August.

Arm strength is obviously helpful to a quarterback, but it can be an overrated trait. All you need to do to confirm that is watch the way New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees attacks a defense.

Much of Quinn's game stresses mental preparation. He's at his best when he has time to make decisions before releasing a pass, which has led to criticism that he holds the ball too long and misses opportunities.

For now, Quinn seems settled into the pace established by the no-huddle offense Mangini has deployed the last two games.

"I've always really liked it," Mangini said of the no-huddle. "There are plusses and minuses to both ways of doing it. If you're stationary, you can usually anticipate what the coverage is more often than not. You can see different looks.

"The other approach is the no huddle, which can force them to declare quicker. There may be some things with shifting and motioning, where you don't have as clean a read, but you get an advantage in terms of their adjustments aren't as clean. They can't get to what they want to get to as quickly as they'd like to get to it."

It should be clear by now that Quinn needs to remain the starter for the remainder of the season. There's a belief that Derek Anderson gives the Browns a better chance to win now, but Quinn might give them a better chance to win if or when the talent level around him improves dramatically.

Sunday's game in Cincinnati will be another measuring stick. The Bengals defense is much better than what Quinn saw last week in Detroit. If he can play well this week, it could be a turning point in his career, but also a turning point for the offense.

"I expect it (improvement) every week," Mangini said. "To me it's not, 'We should really be clicking by week 11.' The other key thing was no turnovers. There's a huge difference in what can happen offensively when you don't turn the ball over."

If it was only that simple.

mmclain@tribtoday.com