http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16567132&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21848&rfi=6
Dilfer is targeting the 49ers
Report says unhappy Browns quarterback would prefer to be traded to San Francisco
Trent Dilfer wants to be traded because he is unhappy with his situation with the Browns, according to a Channel 3 news report.
The 49ers are said to be the team interested in Dilfer as a backup for Alex Smith, the first overall pick in the 2005 draft. Dilfer wants to play for the 49ers, according to a source in San Francisco, because they are the closest team to his hometown of Fresno, Calif.
Dilfer told a friend he thought he would be traded Sunday, according to a source. The 49ers tried to acquire Dilfer from Seattle in the 2005 offseason, but offered only a sixth-round draft choice. The Browns beat that by giving the Seahawks a fourth-round draft pick in 2005.
A phone message left for Browns general manager Phil Savage was not immediately returned Monday night, but Savage said through a team spokesman that the team will not comment on trade rumors.
The television report comes one day after Savage contacted the Detroit Lions about a possible trade for quarterback Joey Harrington. That trade never gained momentum because Harrington told Savage he does not want to play for the Browns.
"The trade was contingent on Harrington going to Cleveland," a source in San Francisco said. "When that died, the Browns couldn't move Dilfer because they don't have another veteran quarterback."
Dilfer reportedly wants to play for another team because of disagreements with Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. That the two did not see eye-to-eye last year became evident when the Browns squandered precious seconds at the end of the first half in Minnesota. Dilfer could have spiked the ball to allow time to attempt scoring a touchdown. Instead, the Browns settled for a field goal.
Asked afterward why he didn't spike the ball, Dilfer answered, clearly displeased: "I do what I'm told."
As it turned out, that was the last game Dilfer started.
It is believed the first choice of Savage and Coach Romeo Crennel is to keep Dilfer and let him compete with Charlie Frye for the starting job. At the very least, they want Dilfer to be Frye's mentor, but only if Dilfer were content in that role.
Dilfer, 34, was 4-7 as a starter last year. Frye started the last five games and went 2-3.
Dilfer is under contract to the Browns for three more years. It is unlikely Crennel and Savage would hold Dilfer to the contract if Dilfer demanded a trade, but they would sign a veteran before granting Dilfer his wish, it is believed. When asked Sunday whether Dilfer is unhappy with the Browns, Savage said: "I can't answer that."
Savage said he was interested in Harrington as a backup. One quarterback who could fit that role is Kerry Collins, who like Harrington is represented by agent David Dunn. Dunn was unavailable for comment Monday night.
Collins has played 11 seasons with Carolina, New Orleans, the Giants and Oakland. He completed 302 of 565 passes for 3,759 yards with 20 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season. He was released for salary cap reasons.
Dilfer is targeting the 49ers
Report says unhappy Browns quarterback would prefer to be traded to San Francisco
Trent Dilfer wants to be traded because he is unhappy with his situation with the Browns, according to a Channel 3 news report.
The 49ers are said to be the team interested in Dilfer as a backup for Alex Smith, the first overall pick in the 2005 draft. Dilfer wants to play for the 49ers, according to a source in San Francisco, because they are the closest team to his hometown of Fresno, Calif.
Dilfer told a friend he thought he would be traded Sunday, according to a source. The 49ers tried to acquire Dilfer from Seattle in the 2005 offseason, but offered only a sixth-round draft choice. The Browns beat that by giving the Seahawks a fourth-round draft pick in 2005.
A phone message left for Browns general manager Phil Savage was not immediately returned Monday night, but Savage said through a team spokesman that the team will not comment on trade rumors.
The television report comes one day after Savage contacted the Detroit Lions about a possible trade for quarterback Joey Harrington. That trade never gained momentum because Harrington told Savage he does not want to play for the Browns.
"The trade was contingent on Harrington going to Cleveland," a source in San Francisco said. "When that died, the Browns couldn't move Dilfer because they don't have another veteran quarterback."
Dilfer reportedly wants to play for another team because of disagreements with Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. That the two did not see eye-to-eye last year became evident when the Browns squandered precious seconds at the end of the first half in Minnesota. Dilfer could have spiked the ball to allow time to attempt scoring a touchdown. Instead, the Browns settled for a field goal.
Asked afterward why he didn't spike the ball, Dilfer answered, clearly displeased: "I do what I'm told."
As it turned out, that was the last game Dilfer started.
It is believed the first choice of Savage and Coach Romeo Crennel is to keep Dilfer and let him compete with Charlie Frye for the starting job. At the very least, they want Dilfer to be Frye's mentor, but only if Dilfer were content in that role.
Dilfer, 34, was 4-7 as a starter last year. Frye started the last five games and went 2-3.
Dilfer is under contract to the Browns for three more years. It is unlikely Crennel and Savage would hold Dilfer to the contract if Dilfer demanded a trade, but they would sign a veteran before granting Dilfer his wish, it is believed. When asked Sunday whether Dilfer is unhappy with the Browns, Savage said: "I can't answer that."
Savage said he was interested in Harrington as a backup. One quarterback who could fit that role is Kerry Collins, who like Harrington is represented by agent David Dunn. Dunn was unavailable for comment Monday night.
Collins has played 11 seasons with Carolina, New Orleans, the Giants and Oakland. He completed 302 of 565 passes for 3,759 yards with 20 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season. He was released for salary cap reasons.
