Following substantive talks over the weekend, the sides are only $500,000 apart in guaranteed money for Quinn, one of only three first-round picks still holding out in contract disputes.

The major sticking point in negotiations between the Browns and agent Tom Condon are escalator clauses based on playing time for Quinn, who slid to No. 22 in April's draft after being projected as a top 10 selection.

Condon's proposal would allow Quinn to get a $5 million increase in the final two years of a potential five-year deal if he takes 55 percent of the snaps in any two of the first three years or 70 percent in any one of the first three.

The Browns would prefer if the triggers were tougher to reach.

Quinn is seeking $8 million in guaranteed money, roughly the same amount that cornerback Aaron Ross, the No. 20 pick, got from the New York Giants. Last week, Browns general manager Phil Savage said he was willing to pay a quarterback premium higher than what would go to a player taken 22nd.

Quinn, meanwhile, missed his 11th day of camp today. He's working out in Arizona while Condon works on his deal.

While he waits, the former four-year starter at Notre Dame has been in touch with his college coach.

"I talk to him probably every other day, and he's doing fine," Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis said. "He's anxious. He wants to be in there. I think everyone wants that to get done, and hopefully it'll get it done sooner rather than later."

Quinn's absence has ensured he will not win the Browns' starting job, which has become a two-man fight between Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye.

Coach Romeo Crennel said he still hasn't decided who will start the Browns' exhibition opener on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It may be a coin flip before the game to decide," he said. "However, they both are going to play in the game."

The Browns were frustrated by a lack of movement on Quinn's side last week. On Friday, Savage voiced his frustration and pointed to the team's solid track record of signing players as proof the Browns were doing all they could to bring Quinn in.

"We've got to have some flexibility from the other side to get a deal done," he said. "It's to try to meet somewhere in the middle, where both parties can agree — to sometimes disagree — but get it done."

The sides had their most productive talks in months on Saturday, when the guaranteed money became less of an issue.