After replacing Frye at QB, Quinn leads Browns past Bears, 19-9

CHICAGO (AP) — Brady Quinn says he’s ready to make an impact for the Cleveland Browns, and he did in the preseason finale.

When his next opportunity comes remains to be seen.

The rookie from Notre Dame was efficient, if unspectacular, leading the Browns to a touchdown in a 19-9 victory over the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.

Now, it’s up to coach Romeo Crennel to decide if Quinn’s time is sooner or later. Although incumbent Charlie Frye is expected to start the opener against Pittsburgh, Quinn’s time will come for the Browns (3-1).

Against the Bears, he had to wait a quarter.

Frye played the first two possessions, completing two of five passes, and Derek Anderson led a field-goal drive late in the first quarter before Quinn entered the game. The 22nd pick in the draft, he started the second and was 9-of-14 with 64 yards. He threw an interception but led a touchdown drive.

Overall, not a bad performance. And not a bad preseason.

His preseason numbers

Quinn was 29-of-45 with 300 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in three preseason games, after reporting late to training camp because of a holdout.

It was not a good night for the Bears, who were shaky on special teams and lost rookie tight end Greg Olsen to a knee injury late in the first half.

Chicago’s Danieal Manning fumbled a kickoff near the goal line in the closing seconds of the first quarter after Anderson led the Browns to a field goal, resulting in a safety that gave Cleveland a 5-0 lead. Joshua Cribbs returned a punt 70 yards for the game’s first touchdown early in the second quarter. And Quinn led a 50-yard drive on the Browns’ next possession that ended with Jerome Harrison carrying it in from the 1.

Bears starting quarterback Rex Grossman left after the first possession — a three-and-out affair in which he completed a pass to Olsen for no gain. Cedric Benson had one carry for 2 yards.

Brian Griese came in and completed one of three passes — a 12-yard connection — before giving way to Kyle Orton to start the second quarter.

Harris returns to Bears

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris started for the Bears (3-1) after missing the first three preseason games while recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury.

Otherwise, it was an uneventful conclusion to a difficult week for the Bears.

Linebacker Lance Briggs left the scene after crashing his new Lamborghini into a light pole and concrete bridge support along a highway early Monday. He told reporters on Tuesday that he panicked, then contacted a towing company and reported the vehicle stolen before acknowledging he was behind the wheel. Illinois State Police, who found the luxury sports car abandoned, said they have no report of a theft.

Briggs was charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene and received two traffic citations.

The Bears, meanwhile, can turn their attention toward their NFC title defense. They figure to be tested immediately in the opener at San Diego, where former defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is coaching linebackers.

Frye completed a 16-yard pass to Braylon Edwards on the game’s first play from scrimmage but did little else. Anderson was 6-of-9 for 53 yards — 21 coming on a pass to Cribbs that set up the 24-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.

Then, it was Quinn’s turn.

He was 4-of-4 for 27 yards on that touchdown drive as the Browns’ lead grew to 19-0.