BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel planned to stage a three-man competition for his starting quarterback.
But with first-round pick Brady Quinn missing his 10th camp practice Thursday because of an impasse in contract negotiations, it is becoming more apparent that the Browns likely will open the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 9 with either incumbent Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson starting under center.
"What it has done," Crennel said of Brady Quinn's absence, "is given Frye and Anderson more reps, given them an opportunity to take the bull by the horns to get a leg up. We know Brady is a good talent. That's why we chose him.
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"(But) the longer he's out, the tougher that becomes, once we start game-planning and things like that. He's missed all that fundamental work. The foundation has to be laid. It's hard to catch up on that."
During dinner Thursday night, Browns general manager Phil Savage was cautiously optimistic. He said he was waiting for Brady Quinn's agent, Tom Condon, to call him back.
Savage says escalator clauses represent the big snag. The former Notre Dame star, whom many projected as a top-10 pick, fell to the 22nd slot in the draft, which the Browns obtained from the Dallas Cowboys by dealing next year's first-round pick.
