Cleveland releases QB Derek Anderson a day after Seneca Wallace deal | NFL

CLEVELAND — Quarterback Derek Anderson's uneven five-season stay with the Cleveland Browns is over.

The Browns released the one-time Pro Bowl selection Tuesday, a day after getting backup Seneca Wallace in a trade with the Seahawks.

Anderson, 26, made the Pro Bowl for the 2007 season, when he threw 29 touchdown passes and led the Browns to a 10-6 record. But he has regressed since.

Anderson lost his starting job to Brady Quinn at the start of last season, got it back, lost it again, returned to the starting lineup when Quinn was injured and helped Cleveland win its last two games.

Anderson was due a $2 million roster bonus March 19 and his salary was set for $7.45 million in 2010.

In seven starts last season, Anderson completed a mere 81 of 182 passes (45 percent) for 888 yards with three TDs and 10 interceptions.

Browns president Mike Holmgren, who coached Wallace when both were with the Seahawks, had indicated Cleveland was unlikely to keep both Anderson and Quinn.

The Browns have been reluctant to state Quinn's role and, according to The Plain Dealer of Cleveland, "league sources continue to speculate that Holmgren may have another QB move up his long sleeve," one that "could signal the end of Quinn in Cleveland, too."

The Plain Dealer speculated teams that might be interested in the 6-foot-6 Anderson include the Seahawks, Arizona, St. Louis, Carolina and Buffalo.

Asked for his reaction to being released, Anderson wrote an e-mail to The News-Herald of Willoughby, Ohio, that said: "The fans are ruthless and don't deserve a winner.

"I will never forget getting cheered when I was injured."

Notes

• Thomas Jones, who rushed for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns for the New York Jets last season, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jones, 31, reportedly signed a two-year, $5 million deal.

• Michael Vick said the Philadelphia Eagles exercised their 2010 option on him, meaning the 29-year-old quarterback will receive a $1.5 million roster bonus sometime this week. Vick is due $5.25 million in salary for 2010.

Vick, who was convicted in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in federal prison, was among 32 players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award on Tuesday in Baltimore.

Each team picks its recipient and Vick reportedly was a unanimous choice of Philadelphia teammates. Outside, dozens of protesters expressed dismay over his getting an award for commitment to sportsmanship and courage.

• All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings testified he has never taken steroids or steroid-masking agents.

Williams was on the witness stand in the Hennepin County District Court case he and teammate Pat Williams filed against the league. The two are contesting their four-game suspensions for testing positive for Bumetanide, an unlisted ingredient in the over-the-counter weight-loss supplement StarCaps.

The diuretic can be used to mask steroid use.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed safety Ryan Clark, 30, and brought back wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, 30, a former Steeler who was released after four seasons with Washington.

• Receiver Terrell Owens, 36, who spent last season with Buffalo, was to meet with Cincinnati team officials.

• The New York Giants signed ex-Indianapolis backup QB Jim Sorgi, 29, for one year.

• Actor Robert De Niro is set to play Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi in an upcoming movie ESPN is developing with Andell Entertainment and the league.