BEREA (AP) - Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn is too busy learning a new playbook, offensive system and teammates to worry about the possibility of a holdout when training camp starts at the end of July.
Brady Quinn, talking Tuesday after the morning practice of minicamp two-a-days, said he has yet to discuss contract negotiations with his agent, Tom Condon.
"That's between him and the Browns," Brady Quinn said. "I'm just trying to work hard, make a name for myself here on the Browns and hopefully help our team."
Brady Quinn was expected to go in the top 5 but his slide to No. 22 was the story of April's draft, and the Browns gave Dallas a first-round pick in 2008 to move back into the first round to take the former Notre Dame star.
Browns general manager Phil Savage said last week the team had made an opening offer to all the draft picks, but he expected the negotiations with Brady Quinn would drag on toward training camp.
"On the surface, you'd like to think he's the 22nd pick in the draft so it's going to be stair-stepped," Savage said. "Wait for 21, wait for 23 and 22 slots in there. But his side is going to think that there is going to be a premium with the quarterback position. There's going to be a natural argument built in to this negotiation.
"We know this, but we're trying to get out in front of it, get in front of his people and say this is what our thinking is."
Brady Quinn is competing for the starting spot with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, both who started multiple games in 2006. A holdout would be a significant setback for Brady Quinn, especially in the eyes of coach Romeo Crennel, who's open about his preference for experience.
Brady Quinn was asked if he's prepared for a holdout.
"At this point, I really haven't played the scenario out in my head," he said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day. Especially in a situation where it's so competitive, I can't look ahead toward things. We've still got practices. And they're all very competitive."
Browns sign defensive coordinator to extension
BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham agreed to a two-year contract extension on Thursday with the Cleveland Browns, a deal that will keep him with the club through the 2009 season.
Grantham joins coach Romeo Crennel and first-year offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who also have deals through '09.
"We're excited about it," general manager Phil Savage said. "It's another step toward continuity, and that's really what we're striving to get to. He's a terrific coach, and we think he has good upside and has potential to be a head coach in time."
With Crennel facing what's considered a pivotal season after going 10-22 in his first two years, Grantham would be the front-runner to replace him, at least in an interim role.
Grantham almost became a head coach last year when he was a finalist for the Michigan State job.
"Anytime an opportunity comes up, you want to evaluate them," Grantham said. "That one was really tough for me. I'm very happy here and I think the future's very bright and a lot of positive things are coming in the near future."
Grantham came to the Browns in 2005 to take his first coordinator job after working as a defensive line coach with the Houston Texans from 2002-04. He had never worked with Crennel, but had experience with the 3-4 scheme.
"Todd is a good young coach," Crennel said. "He is thorough. He is on top of it. We get along good."
The Browns suffered a number of injuries and ranked 27th in total defense in 2006, allowing 344.8 yards a game. The rushing defense was 29th (142.2 yards) and the passing defense 15th (202.6).
The Browns ranked 22nd in scoring, allowing 22.3 points a game.
"I feel very fortunate," said Grantham, who praised owner Randy Lerner, Savage and Crennel. "For them to have confidence in me means a lot."
