Dorsey will start; Crennel mum on Edwards' status

Print Story

Email to Friend

Discuss this story

Lang Campbell has been signed as backup quarterback.

BEREA (AP) — Coach Romeo Crennel is down to his third quarterback and another round of discipline for his top wide receiver.

Mercifully, there's only one game left for the Cleveland Browns, and as usual there's nothing more than draft position on the line.

Coming off a 22-7 home loss to lowly Tampa Bay on Christmas Eve, Crennel was succinct Tuesday in addressing his team's poor performance.

"We didn't play very well on Sunday in any particular phase," he said.

Third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey will start the Browns' final game at Houston Sunday with Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye sidelined. Anderson was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a separated shoulder.

The Browns signed quarterback Lang Campbell as their backup Tuesday. Campbell spent training camp with the Browns the last two seasons and has played in NFL Europe.

"We think bringing him in will be the quickest way to bring someone in with knowledge of the system," Crennel said.

Cribbs factor

Crennel was against having wide receiver Joshua Cribbs — a quarterback at Kent State — serve as the backup because he hasn't had any recent practice at the position. But Crennel didn't rule out the possibility of giving Cribbs some snaps against the Texans.

Anderson's stint as Cleveland's quarterback ended with him throwing 66-of-117 for 793 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was able to rally the Browns to a victory after subbing for Frye against Kansas City, but failed to lead the Browns to a win in his three starts.

He bottomed out with four interceptions against Tampa Bay, ending any possibility of a quarterback controversy between himself and Frye, who also failed to solidify himself as the starter heading into next season.

"I used the word intriguing after the Kansas City game," Crennel said. "I think that is still the case for Derek. He was able to operate pretty well in the pocket, get rid of the ball and one game doesn't a player make.

Silent on Edwards

Crennel refused Tuesday to provide any insight into his decision not to start wide receiver Braylon Edwards against the Buccaneers other than to repeat that it was a coach's decision.

Edwards didn't enter the game until late in the second quarter and immediately dropped a pass. He finished with two catches for 7 yards.

"If you look at the results, you might say that it did affect his performance," Crennel said. "He's supposed to be ready to play whenever he goes into the game. He knew that at some point he was going to go in."

Edwards did not comment after the game and players weren't available for interviews Tuesday.

Crennel, who had been criticized for being too soft on Edwards earlier this season, said he believes he got Edwards' attention, especially after wide receiver Dennis Northcutt started in his place and caught two passes on the first drive.

"Sometimes, you realize that the game goes on," Crennel said.

Edwards was fined earlier this season when he was late for a team meeting after renting a helicopter and flying to Columbus to watch his alma mater Michigan play Ohio State. He also has caused controversy by criticizing teammate Brian Russell's hard hit on Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson and by calling out the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We have young guys on this team that have to go through the learning, growing and maturing curve," Crennel said. "We'll go through it and be better as a result of it."

The Browns also placed defensive lineman J'Vonne Parker (ankle) on injured reserve and waived defensive back Mike Hawkins on Tuesday.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006