Dave’s Football Blog

Just when you think the Cleveland Browns may be turning a corner, you read this:

The Cleveland Browns will give quarterback Ken Dorsey a chance in training camp to secure the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind starter Charlie Frye, but head coach Romeo Crennel made it clear as his team completed a three-day minicamp over the weekend that the phone number for free agent veteran Vinny Testaverde is on his speed dial.

Crennel never mentioned Testaverde by name, but joked at one point that the player he had in mind as a potential insurance policy was “older than me” and noted that his familiarity with the offense system meant he “could come in on Friday and he’d be good to go on Sunday.” It didn’t take a rocket scientist to make the connection.

Right. Seriously, I can name at least three Arena Football quarterbacks off the top of my head who would be better third-string quarterbacks than Vinny Testaverde, even under emergency circumstances. Romeo Crennel must not have a TiVo, because if he did, he might have seen just how atrocious Vinny was last season. There was a reason the Jets kept Brooks Bollinger out there. Knowing the offense isn’t enough; you have to be able to perform in it.

Granted, this is third-string quarterback we’re talking about here, but both the Steelers and the Jets proved the importance of having decent backups last season. If Testaverde really is on Romeo’s speed-dial, Browns fans better pray for the continued good health of Charlie Frye, starting…. now.