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In assessing his performance in the second practice of his career and the initial workout in front of the scrutinizing eyes of the local media, Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn was much more on-target than he was with most of his pass attempts in the Thursday afternoon two-hour session.

"You're seeing a guy who hasn't been in camp for 2 weeks," acknowledged Quinn, who on Tuesday night ended his camp holdout by signing a five-year contract.

And it definitely showed.

The former Notre Dame star got sparse snaps during the practice, working primarily with the "scout" team as the Browns continued preparations for Saturday evening's preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. And while Quinn displayed an undeniably powerful arm, it was often too strong, as he appeared so stoked that he tried to muscle up on many passes.

It was, on occasion, as if Quinn was attempting to throw the ball right through the wall of the team's indoor facility, where the practice was held because of an afternoon storm here. On a deep pass up the left sideline, Quinn overthrew streaking wide receiver Braylon Edwards by three yards during a seven-on-seven drill.

The lack of marksmanship was typical of Quinn's day.

"More than anything else," Quinn said, "you're just trying to find your flow."

After the medical report issued by coach Romeo Crennel following practice, the Browns may be trying to find a few more healthy players, especially at the linebacker position.

Starter Willie McGinest on Thursday afternoon underwent surgery in Los Angeles to repair a bulging disk in his back, and Crennel said the 13-year veteran will be sidelined for at least six weeks. McGinest's backup, six-year pro Matt Stewart, will miss the entire 2007 season with a torn shoulder labrum.

The loss of McGinest, whose recovery will be re-evaluated after six weeks, is an especially critical one for the Cleveland defense. Although he notched just four sacks in 2006, his first season with the Browns after signing as a free agent, McGinest, 35, is still one of the team's best outside pass rush threats. Given his age and the problems often inherent with such back surgeries, McGinest, who has 82 career sacks and who won three Super Bowl titles in New England, could be sidelined longer than six weeks.

With both McGinest and Stewart on the shelf, the Cleveland linebacker depth will be tested at the start of the season.

Also facing rehabilitation is starting left guard Eric Steinbach, who on Tuesday suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The four-year veteran, who was the Browns' biggest free-agent acquisition this spring when he signed a blockbuster seven-year, $49.5 million contract, missed just one game during his tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals. His injury will not require surgery, and the Browns hope to have him back in time for the regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 9.

Without Steinbach and with the four-game suspension to starting right tackle Ryan Tucker, the Browns have been forced to shuffle their offensive line unit.

It could be a while before the line is asked to protect Quinn, who will need to work hard just to catch up on the 11 days of camp that he missed during prolonged contract negotiations.

Quinn said that, while he feels pretty comfortable with his overall grasp of the playbook, he has spent much of his time since reporting studying videotape of all the practice sessions that he missed.

"I think I'm up to the Aug. 2 practice," Quinn said, which would put him a week behind on just video review alone.

Crennel said that Quinn "might get two plays" in the fourth quarter of Saturday's preseason game, noting that the team's other three quarterbacks had earned the right to play because they have been in camp since the start. Still, it's clear that the Browns organization regards Quinn as its quarterback of the future even if Crennel, who did not refer to the Fighting Irish star by name during his camp absence, will grant playing time only grudgingly.

"I guess," allowed Quinn, "you've got to wait your turn."

The rookie didn't have to wait long, however, for his first hazing by the Browns veterans. In the team's Wednesday night meeting, Quinn was asked to get up and sing in front of the entire club. His first effort, "Walking in Memphis," elicited heckling. His second, the Notre Dame fight song, brought loud catcalls.

"We had a few [Notre Dame] haters in there ... you know, guys from Southern Cal and places like that," Quinn said.

After the Thursday practice, Quinn had an opportunity to chat with Bernie Kosar, one of the greatest quarterbacks in Cleveland franchise history and still a hero locally. And even Kosar, it seemed, took a few good-natured shots at the rookie.

"Everyone is busting my chops right now," concluded Quinn. "Hey, I'm a rookie."

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[wide right]

The lack of marksmanship was typical of Quinn's day.

And his college career too.