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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, March 15, 2010

Quinn dealt to Broncos


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Brady Quinn

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Brady Quinn will get a chance to start over in Denver. Whether he'll get to start is up in the air.

The Broncos acquired the former first-round draft pick from the Cleveland Browns for fullback Peyton Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick and a conditional pick in 2012.

The teams announced the trade yesterday and said the deal is pending physicals.

Ostensibly, Quinn will compete with Kyle Orton for the Broncos' starting job, although coach Josh McDaniels was unavailable yesterday to comment on the trade, according to a team spokesman.

Quinn's departure comes one day after the Browns agreed to terms with free agent quarterback Jake Delhomme on a two-year contract. Quinn went 3-9 in 12 starts for Cleveland, which drafted him with the 22nd pick in the first round in 2007 out of Notre Dame.

From Dublin, Ohio, he was embraced by Browns fans as the quarterback of the future. But it never panned out for the Browns or Quinn.

"I appreciate everything Brady did for us last year and in his three seasons with the Cleveland Browns," coach Eric Mangini said in a statement. "He is professional in the way he goes about doing his job and worked extremely hard at every aspect of his game. I wish him the best of success in Denver."

Quinn won Cleveland's starting job last season, but was benched after 2 1/2 games for Derek Anderson. Quinn eventually got his job back when Anderson struggled but he was hindered by inaccuracy.

He completed only 53 percent of his passes last season for 1,339 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. His rating was 67.3.

Quinn's days in Cleveland appeared numbered when new president Mike Holmgren failed to endorse him as the Browns' future starter. Last week, the Browns acquired backup Seneca Wallace in a trade with Seattle, released Anderson and hosted Delhomme, recently cut by Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders yesterday acquired outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley from the Browns for undisclosed draft picks.

Wimbley was drafted in the first round out of Florida State in 2006. He had 11 sacks as a rookie, but had 15 1/2 more over the next three seasons.

JETS

TOMLINSON GETS 2-YEAR DEAL

The Jets signed running back LaDainian Tomlinson to a two-year contract, adding an aging star to an offense that ranked No. 1 in rushing last season.

Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, confirmed the deal last night.

Tomlinson spent Friday with the Jets, capping it with dinner with coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and other team officials.

The 2006 NFL MVP was cut last month by San Diego, then chose New York over Minnesota after visiting the Vikings on Thursday.

The Jets went after Tomlinson hard despite the fact he turns 31 in June and is coming off his least productive season. He's expected to back up Shonn Greene, who became the starter after Thomas Jones was released last week.

PACKERS

LT TAUSCHER EARNS NEW DEAL

The agent for longtime Green Bay Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher says the veteran has agreed to terms on a multiyear contract that will bring him back to the team.

Agent Neil Cornrich says the deal will allow Tauscher, who went to the University of Wisconsin, to play his entire football career in his home state. Tauscher was an unrestricted free agent.

Milwaukee's ESPN 540 AM radio first reported Tauscher's return on its Web site Saturday night.

Tauscher began the 2009 season out of football after sustaining a serious knee injury. The Packers brought him back in midseason and he returned to his starting spot, bringing stability to the NFL's worst pass protection unit.