Competition starting for rookies

05.04.2007

Under each of the 52 orange helmets on the practice field at the open of the Browns' rookie minicamp Friday afternoon was the face -- eyes wide open, ears even wider -- of a young football player taking the first steps in trying to win a job in the National Football League.

For some, that job could be as a backup player and special teamer. For others, it could be a role on the practice squad. Even if it's just training camp temporary, well, that's at least a start.

But the jobs of starting left tackle and starting quarterback still seem to draw the most interest. And though the on-field debut of the Browns' first-round draft picks Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn was the story Friday, Romeo Crennel was far from ready to anoint either Thomas or Quinn -- or any other player, for that matter.

Crennel especially isn't going to hand any job to any rookie on his first day on the job. And when the subjects of Thomas' impending battle with Kevin Shaffer at left tackle and Quinn's eventual attempt to unseat Charlie Frye at quarterback came up, Crennel said his rookies should be prepared for what's ahead.

Competition.

"It's not my policy to give jobs away," Crennel said. "I told (Shaffer) it's his job until somebody takes it from him. Right now, he is the starting left tackle.

"We are going to put (Thomas and Quinn) out there and let them compete. If they win the jobs, they play. If they don't, they sit and hopefully play somewhere down the road."

When he was asked again later for his impression of Quinn's NFL readiness, Crennel chuckled and said, "it's too early. The guy got here last night and we put him on the field today.

"He was able to handle what we gave him. If anything came out of the short time he's been here, it seems like he's a willing worker and will do anything it takes to get into the playbook."

Crennel said he's spoken to Frye and essentially told Frye the same thing he told Shaffer.

"Charlie told me he's going to compete," Crennel said.

Quinn sported a new, shorter haircut under the orange helmet he grew up dreaming he'd one day wear. On and off the field, his confidence and excitement were obvious.

"I've waited to so long for this opportunity," Quinn said. "I'm excited for today, and I'm excited for the next day."

Crennel said the goal of the weekend minicamp is for all the players to get a taste of what's ahead, get some time with their coaches and playbooks and begin to find out what life in the NFL is all about.

The entire group -- seven draft picks, nine undrafted free agent signings, 32 tryouts and four first-year players -- will practice three more times before being dismissed early Sunday.

"The first time was a little ragged, like it usually is," Crennel said. "Tonight, they'll get back in the playbooks and try to pick up something else. This is a good test for all of them. Overall, it was pretty good."

And for Quinn, it was at least a small step in the right direction.

"I saw him make one nice throw down the seam to a tight end -- that looked pretty good," Crennel said. "Overall, I thought he handled the information that was given to him pretty well. He was able to make formation calls, get the guys out of the huddle and run the plays.

"I thought it was pretty decent."