Browns talk with Detroit

The discussion was about quarterback Joey Harrington, but nothing came of it.
BEREA (AP) -- Busy working the phones during the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns made a couple interesting long-distance calls to Detroit to see what the Lions wanted for quarterback Joey Harrington.
General manager Phil Savage said Sunday that he spoke with Lions GM Matt Millen about Harrington, a former No. 3 overall pick in 2002 who wants out of Detroit and has reached a preliminary two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
"I wanted to check in and just see what they were looking for, and also the potential of him being a fallback option here as a quarterback," Savage said. "I thought it was at least worth making a call."
Savage's interest in Harrington -- no matter how exploratory or casual -- points to two possibilities in Cleveland. One is that the Browns are not yet sold on Charlie Frye, who started five games as a rookie, as their starter next season. Another is that 33-year-old Trent Dilfer, who signed a four-year free agent contract before last season, would like to move again.
Downplays scenarios
Savage downplayed both scenarios. He said Harrington, who was 18-37 as a starter with the Lions under three coaches, would be an option for Cleveland as a backup rather than a starter. And while Dilfer has not asked to be traded, Savage said he didn't know whether the veteran was happy.
"I can't answer that," Savage said.
As for Frye, Savage insists that the club's opinion of him as a potential starter has not diminished. The second-year GM said Cleveland's inquiry about Harrington was nothing more than that.
"That situation is dead as far as I'm concerned," he said.
Maybe so. But it's curious that the Browns would be asking about Harrington if everything was settled at QB. Dilfer had off-season knee surgery and is not ready to participate in the club's conditioning program.
Harrington wasn't interested
ESPN.com reported that the Lions told Harrington's agent, David Dunn, that they were going to try to trade him to the Browns for draft picks but that Harrington told Detroit he didn't want to come to Cleveland.
A message seeking comment was left with Dunn.
Savage believes Harrington is headed to the Dolphins, who need a backup for new starter Daunte Culpepper. There's even a chance that Harrington could begin next season as Miami's No. 1 QB if Culpepper isn't ready following a knee injury.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel also tried to contact Harrington.
"We left each other phone messages," he said.
As always, Crennel wouldn't bite when it came to questions about his quarterback dilemma.
"I haven't decided who my starter is going to be yet," he said. "I might name a starter before training camp. Whenever it is, I feel both of the guys can go in the game and play. When we go on the field we'll see who's best."
The Harrington hubbub provided a puzzling backdrop as the Browns followed up a strong first day in the draft by making seven more selections, choosing players whose initial impact will mostly come on special teams.
Second day picks
Cleveland used its fourth-round picks on Miami linebacker Leon Williams and Indiana offensive guard Isaac Sowells, who broke down crying when the Browns reached him on the phone at his home in Louisville, Ky.
In the fifth round, the Browns took Washington State running back Jerome Harrison and Georgia cornerback DeMario Minter. In round six, Colorado fullback Lawrence Vickers and Stanford nose guard Babatunde Oshinowo, who goes by "Baba," became Browns.
With their final pick, the club selected Virginia Tech safety Justin Hamilton, a former running back with the Hokies.
"All in all, I think we had a very successful draft because it's very solid all the way through," Savage said. "For us, all of our picks made sense and they seem to give us an opportunity to make us better."
Savage was especially pleased that the Browns were able to strengthen their defensive front seven -- an offseason priority -- during free agency and in the draft. Cleveland struggled in its first season in a new 3-4 scheme, but better talent across the board should make a difference in 2006.
"I think our front seven has a chance to turn the corner from where we were last year," Savage said.