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Dorsey has had a shaky training camp, but he did throw the ball with more authority Monday and Tuesday than he had previously. Through the first 10 days of training camp he seemed to throw at least one interception every day. He threw two in the intrasquad scrimmage last Friday. One of them was tipped by running back Lee Suggs.
''These (preseason) games are tremendously important for them, especially as far as Ken Dorsey is concerned,'' Crennel said. ''We said we were going to get him into games and see how he performs before we make a major consideration there. It's going to be important to see how they handle the pressure of the games.''
Dorsey had a remarkable college record. He was 38-2 as the starter for the Miami Hurricanes and led them to a national championship in 2001. He would have had back to back titles had Ohio State not beaten him and the Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl.
The NFL, though, was not impressed. Dorsey, 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, went undrafted until the 49ers took him in the seventh round with the 241st overall pick. The Browns acquired him and a seventh-round pick in a trade with 49ers for Trent Dilfer on May 4.
The knock on Dorsey is what has been his downfall in training camp; he does not have a strong arm.
Significantly, former Hurricanes coach Butch Davis was the Browns head coach when Dorsey was available in the 2003 draft, but Davis passed on him.
Wimbley won't start
First-round pick Kamerion Wimbley will not start tonight, Crennel said. Veteran Matt Stewart will start at right outside linebacker instead.
Wimbley will play in the second and third quarter and could be involved in rushing downs in the first quarter.
Staying home
Center Bob Hallen remains on the exempt/left squad list. Hallen had back spasms Monday and was in San Diego Tuesday being examined by a specialist.
The Browns said they were unaware of an Internet report claiming Hallen would retire yesterday.
Guard Isaac Sowells (ankle), tackle Ryan Tucker (knee) and cornerback Daylon McCutcheon (knee) stayed in Berea when the Browns flew to Philadelphia.
Cornerback Gary Baxter (knee) and linebacker Chaun Thompson (calf) made the trip. Crennel has not announced whether they will play.
Experience counts
This is the preseason opener for the Browns, but the second game for the Eagles. They played in the Hall of Fame game against Oakland Sunday night in Canton and lost 16-10.
Eagles coach Andy Reid is expected to play his starters only briefly. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is likely to play one or two series and then get the rest of the night off.
A quick night for McNabb could mean the Browns get an extended look at Jeff Garcia. Garcia, the Browns quarterback in 2004, was 5-of-10 for 43 yards Sunday against the Raiders. He threw one interception.
August is golden
Too bad for the Browns they don't play regular season games in August. Since returning to the NFL, they are 14-15 in preseason. They went 3-1 in exhibition games last year and 3-1 in 2004.
They were 4-12 in the regular season in 2004 and 6-10 last season.
JSchudel@news-herald.com
