The backup quarterback battle is so close that coach Romeo Crennel might alternate Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson at No. 2 from week to week.

"That could be close throughout the season," said Crennel. "One game, one guy might be No. 2, and the next game, that might change."

Crennel said the team is comfortable heading into the season with Dorsey and Anderson as the backups.

"We feel decent about those guys," said Crennel. "They continue to flash and do things that show they might be able to run the team if something happens to Charlie [Frye]."

He didn't rule out bringing in another veteran. The Titans' Billy Volek could be available now that Tennessee has signed Kerry Collins.

"Nobody's played well enough to rule out bringing in somebody else," said Crennel. "We could bring somebody in at any time, and I tell them that."

Anderson kept things close with good production in the past two preseason games, where his rating shot up to 132.7. However, Dorsey (59.0 rating) has 10 NFL starts, and Anderson has none. The two will play a lot Thursday against the Bears.

Pool closer:

Brodney Pool closed the gap a little on Sean Jones in the strong safety battle with a solid performance against the Bills. Making his first preseason start, he led the team with five solo tackles, broke up a pass and had good coverage on an incompletion in the end zone. "Pool did a nice job," said Crennel. "Sean still had a slight edge, but [Pool] made that battle closer."

Crennel said he's leaning toward a rotation.

"All of those guys [including Brian Russell] are going to play," he said. "It's like I've got three starters there."

Thompson comes on:

Chaun Thompson (calf) started his first game at inside linebacker and is giving rookie D'Qwell Jackson a push. Jackson still is slightly ahead, but Thompson has the edge in experience. Against the Bills, he had three tackles and a near-interception.

"He made it a competition," said Crennel. "He should've had an interception, and he didn't give up plays. He made a specials teams tackle and made a tackle on a cutback that would've gone for a long way. He played pretty decently."

Thompson said, "I'm bigger, faster and most of all, I'm smarter."

First cuts:

The Browns waived running back Chris Barclay, punter Kyle Basler, defensive lineman Ja'Waren Blair, quarterback Lang Campbell, kicker Jeff Chandler, offensive lineman Atlas Herrion, tight end Paul Irons, linebacker Kenny Kern, receiver Brandon Rideau and defensive back James Thornton. They placed defensive backs Jeremy Lesueur and Shawn Mayer on injured reserve and placed defensive back DeMario Minter on the reserve physically unable to perform list. The Browns have to make one more move by today to get to 75.

Center battle:

New center Lennie Friedman will soon get a look with the first team. Crennel was asked if Ross Tucker will start the opener and said, "I don't know about opening day, but he's the starting center. We added the kid, Lennie Friedman, and we have to see what he can do before we can make that determination." Frye took some snaps from Friedman and said it went well.

Injuries:

Linebacker Clifton Smith (hamstring), Mason Unck (swollen knee) and Daylon McCutcheon (knee) rode the bike.

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