CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Browns spent another day looking for a new quarterback by meeting with an older one.
Free agent Jake Delhomme, released last week after seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers, visited Thursday with the perpetually rebuilding Browns, who have been busy this week trying to improve their unstable situation at QB.
The Browns confirmed the 35-year-old Delhomme spent time at the team's offices in Berea, Ohio. They also said free agent tight end Ben Watson and running back Justin Fargas met with coach Eric Mangini and front-office personnel.
The Browns have been actively shopping for a quarterback, a position they haven't been able to adequately fill since their NFL expansion return in 1999. Earlier this week, the team acquired backup Seneca Wallace in a trade from Seattle and released Derek Anderson, who took a swipe at Cleveland fans on his way out of town.
The club's interest in Delhomme seems to indicate a reluctance to hand the starting job back to Quinn, who has struggled as a pro. Quinn is just 3-9 in 12 career starts with Cleveland, but some of the former Notre Dame star's inconsistency can be attributed to the Browns' lack of talent, as well as coaching and front-office changes in recent years.
Agent Rick Smith would not comment on Delhomme's visit to Cleveland.
Quinn was rumored to be on the trading block last year, but the Browns didn't find a suitable deal and he began the 2009 season as their starter. He was replaced just 2 1/2 games in by Anderson, who couldn't hold down the job and was eventually benched.
Browns president Mike Holmgren, who has spent his career developing quarterbacks, has yet to endorse Quinn, another sign the club may be trying to trade him.