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HOT TOPIC
Coach Romeo Crennel's endorsement of Ken Dorsey at the conclusion of a three-day minicamp was lukewarm, yet Dorsey will head to training camp as the backup to Charlie Frye.
"At this time, Ken is learning the system and I think we have to get to training camp to give him a shot and see what he looks like there," Crennel said. "He's improving and picking things up. If that continues in training camp, we'll be OK."
Vinny Testaverde, 42, remains a fallback option if Dorsey does not have a good training camp or preseason. Without mentioning him by name, Crennel hinted strongly he believes Testaverde could stabilize the quarterback situation without going through the rigors of training camp.
When Dorsey was acquired May 4 in the trade with the 49ers for Trent Dilfer, Crennel said Testaverde was "in the back of my mind" as a possible mentor for Frye - the role Dilfer was supposed to play. Crennel knows Testaverde well because he was an assistant coach with the Jets in 1998 when Testaverde threw 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions as the Jets' quarterback. They were together in New York in 1999, but an Achilles tendon injury in the first game ended Testaverde's season.
"I have a guy in mind who knows the system," Crennel said after the minicamp. "He might be a little older than I am but he can still line up. If (Testaverde) were the name that I was thinking about, he could come in on (a) Friday and be good to go on Sunday."
Testaverde's agent, Mike Azzarelli, said Testaverde would enjoy returning to the Browns. Testaverde was the Browns quarterback from 1993-95 and led them to their last playoff victory 12 years ago.
Dorsey has been praised for how quickly he picks things up in the classroom. He said he's trying to be smart with the football, but he admits it has not been easy. He threw two interceptions during team drills in the minicamp and nearly had another pass picked off.
"This is an offense I've never been in," Dorsey said. "Mistakes are being made. Just as long as I learn from those and don't make them again, I'll be all right. It's been exciting to go through all the bumps and bruises."
Dorsey was a seventh-round draft choice by the 49ers in 2003 despite leading the Miami Hurricanes to a national championship in 2001 and an undefeated regular season in 2002. He was 2-8 as a starter with San Francisco.
PLAYER NOTES
--Last season the offensive scheme was supposed to include fullback Terrelle Smith as a receiver, but he caught only 12 passes and carried only six times in 16 games. Rookie fullback Lawrence Vickers, a sixth-round pick from Colorado, could fill that role.
"It looks like he's going to be competitive in this camp," Coach Romeo Crennel said. "He can catch the ball out of the backfield pretty well and he's made some nice cuts. If he's tough enough, he'll have a chance."
--Reuben Droughns' arraignment on domestic violence charges is scheduled for July 6 in Arapahoe County (Colo.) court. According to the arrest report, Droughns threw his wife, Kellie, out the front door of their home and onto the ground on May 12. Droughns said the report is "a little exaggerated."
--The Browns were hoping Brandon Rideau would challenge for a spot as the second or third receiver while Braylon Edwards mends from knee surgery, but Rideau had a disappointing minicamp. He was not as fast as the coaches wanted him to be.
--Pete Hunter, signed last December, is making a strong case to be the fourth cornerback. He broke on the ball well in minicamp and showed he has good hands.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--DB Antwan Harris (not tendered June 1).
--P Kyle Richardson (not tendered June 1).
--LB Orlando Ruff (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--OT Kirk Chambers: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--DE Simon Fraser: ERFA; terms unknown.
--NT Ethan Kelly: RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--DE Orpheus Roye: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--C LeCharles Bentley: UFA Saints; $36M/6 yrs, SB unknown.
--PK Jeff Chandler: FA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--TE Darnell Dinkins: UFA Ravens; $2.1M/3 yrs, $200,000 SB.
--QB Ken Dorsey: Trade 49ers.
--OG Bob Hallen: UFA Chargers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--WR Joe Jurevicius: UFA Seahawks; $10M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--LB Willie McGinest: FA Patriots; $12M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
--T Kevin Shaffer: UFA Falcons; 6 yrs, terms unknown.
--NT Ted Washington: FA Raiders; $7M/2 yrs, SB unknown.
--P Dave Zastudil: UFA Ravens; $8M/5 yrs, $1.66M SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--WR Antonio Bryant: UFA 49ers; $13.9M/4 yrs, $4M SB.
--S Chris Crocker: Trade Falcons.
--QB Trent Dilfer: Traded 49ers.
--C Jeff Faine: Traded Saints.
--DT Jason Fisk (released).
--TE Keith Heinrich: UFA Dolphins; terms unknown.
--LB Kenard Lang (released).
--C Dwayne Ledford: Not tendered as ERFA/Saints; terms unknown.
--DB Michael Lehan (released).
--CB Ray Mickens: UFA Jets; terms unknown.
--OL Mike Pucillo: UFA Redskins; $465,000/1 yr.
--TE Aaron Shea: UFA Chargers; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--LT L.J. Shelton: UFA Dolphins; $15M/4 yrs, $3.5M SB.
--LB Ben Taylor: UFA Packers; $665,280/1 yr., $50,000 SB.
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