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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns joined the frenzied pace of player transactions Thursday when they reached agreements with several players, including two rookie draft choices and their first unrestricted free agents.

They also were expecting to formally sign franchise kicker Phil Dawson and restricted free-agent tight end Evan Moore today, so they will report to the opening of coach Pat Shurmur’s first Browns training camp.

Agreeing to contracts were defensive end Jabaal Sheard and wide receiver Greg Little, who were second-round picks. The Browns also reached free-agent deals with players from the past two Super Bowl champions — free safety Usama Young of New Orleans and running back Brandon Jackson of Green Bay.

The Browns also confirmed the release of quarterback Jake Delhomme, along with linebacker Eric Alexander and tight end Tyson DeVree.

Here’s the breakdown on the transactions:

• Young, of Kent State, was the first unrestricted free agent to come to terms with the Browns. They targeted him when teams were allowed to begin negotiations Tuesday and actually reached agreement with him that day. The Browns view Young as the new free safety, replacing two-year starter Abe Elam, who probably will leave in free agency.

Young, 26, was drafted as a cornerback in the third round by New Orleans in 2007. He was first or second in special teams tackles his first two seasons as a reserve defensive back. He started two games at cornerback.

The Saints moved Young to free safety his next two years, where he continued as a top reserve and special teams core player. Young, 6-0 and 200 pounds, played in 52 games, starting six, and was very much a part of the Saints team that rose from the depths of Hurricane Katrina and won Super Bowl XLIV against Indianapolis following the 2009 season.

On his Twitter account, Young bade farewell to Saints fans with the message: “NOLA, Thanks 4 giving me memories of a lifetime. On the field, and even more, the community. I’ll forever love the city.”

• Jackson, 25, fits the role of third-down back desired by Shurmur in his West Coast offense. He’s adept as a pass catcher and also developed as a dependable blitz pickup specialist.

Jackson, 5-10 and 216 pounds, caught 43 passes with the Packers last year and 110 in four seasons in Green Bay. In the Packers’ run to the Super Bowl title last year, injuries thrust him into a starting role for 13 games. He had a career-high 703 yards rushing on 190 attempts.

• Sheard, the 37th overall pick of the draft, signed for $5.09 million over four years with a signing bonus of $2.25 million, according to reports. Little, 59th overall, received $3.32 million over four years with a bonus of $920,000.

When drafted, each was being counted on to make immediate impacts in their rookie seasons. Sheard could be rushed in as the starting right end in coordinator Dick Jauron’s new, 4-3 alignment. Little is the lone new player at wide receiver, a position viewed by outsiders as a weakness, though the club disputes that.

• Dawson, the only full-time kicker the Browns have known in their expansion era, agreed to sign the team’s franchise tender for about $3.25 million, a league source confirmed.

Dawson reportedly was looking forward to free agency and perhaps joining a contending team and was not pleased with being franchised by the Browns. But General Manager Tom Heckert said he had a “very good conversation” with Dawson on Wednesday and said he expected him to report to camp and sign the deal.

• Moore will sign the team’s second-round tender, which is for just under $2 million, he said Thursday.

“Ever since Coach [Mike] Holmgren got here along with Tom Heckert, I just feel this place is going in the right direction,” Moore said. “There’s no place I want to be but here. Great fans, great people. It was a no-brainer for me. I feel my role for this organization is on a good trajectory.”

The Browns expect more players to agree to terms by the end of today’s first day of training camp. First-round pick Phil Taylor has been in town for a couple days, though no deal was apparent on Thursday. Draft picks Owen Marecic, Jordan Cameron, Jason Pinkston, Buster Skrine and Eric Hagg were close to agreeing to terms, according to sources.

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BEREA — Rather unceremoniously, the Browns career of quarterback Jake Delhomme officially came to an end today when the club confirmed his release.
 
 The official statement by the Browns:

 ”The Cleveland Browns today terminated the contracts of linebacker Eric Alexander and quarterback Jake Delhomme. In addition, the team waived tight end Tyson DeVree.”

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Welcome to today’s edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

With the NFL lockout over, it’s time to ask a question that was touched on by Bill Livingston and Terry Pluto in their columns today: Did the lockout’s resolution help the Browns or work against them? That’s the topic of today’s Starting Blocks poll.

Today’s guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who says she thinks the early resolution was a bonus, and that the Browns could have been worse off if training camp days had been lost.

Mary Kay also discusses whether Jake Delhomme will be back; how the Browns will attack free agency and spend the millions of dollars to get them up to the new salary-cap floor; and predicts which players the Browns will keep or cut as Chuck and Branson play a game called “Keep or Cut?”

SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises talking Buckeye football.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Just received my copy of “Growing Up Colt — A Father, a Son, a Life in Football.” It’s the book co-written by Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and his father, Brad.

The book is mostly a memoir of Colt’s early development, of lessons taught, told in his voice and that of his father.

There are some revealing glimpses into McCoy’s first season in Cleveland. Such as:

• As the season began, McCoy found it difficult to cope with a role he termed as “the forgotten man on the roster.”

• McCoy was despondent when he was passed over to relieve Seneca Wallace in Game 4 against Atlanta. Wallace suffered a high ankle sprain just before the first half ended. Jake Delhomme, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Game 1, was rushed in to relieve Wallace instead.

Everyone knew Jake’s ankle wasn’t ready, but Coach Mangini sent him back on the field to play anyway. That sent a signal loud and clear that Coach was doing everything he could to not give me the ball.

• The next day, after Delhomme reinjured his ankle by hobbling through the second half against Atlanta, McCoy was told he would start the next game in Pittsburgh.

Ever since I reported to training camp, I had gotten the message loud and clear: Colt, you’re not going to play this year. Your job is to watch and listen. When I walked into the Browns’ headquarters that morning, however, I was greeted like a long-lost family member who had unexpectedly shown up at a McCoy summer reunion.

I marched into Coach Mangini’s office, and he warmly greeted me and offered me a chair. ‘Colt, we need to get you ready for this weekend against Pittsburgh. You’re starting.’

• On the eve of his first start in Pittsburgh, McCoy stood and addressed his teammates to relieve their fears about playing the Steelers with a raw rookie at quarterback.

I know you have no idea what it’s going to be like tomorrow. Everyone in here is scared stiff about a rookie going into Pittsburgh and having his first start. If you want to be scared, be scared. I’m not scared. I’m ready to play. I’m excited. I’m fired up. This is my passion. This is what I love to do. And I can’t wait to get out there and play with all you guys tomorrow.

Our game tomorrow is going to be the start of something great. Bring your all because I know I’m bringing all mine. The hay is in the barn. Let’s go.

• McCoy’s dad and mom, Debra, attended the game in Heinz Field with McCoy’s eventual wife, Rachel. A few Steelers fans taunted them after they were identified.

“[Troy] Polamalu is going to kill your son. I wouldn’t watch if I was you,” Brad McCoy says one person called. “You better hope Colt’s life insurance is paid up today,” he says another taunted.

• After McCoy acquitted himself well against the fired-up Pittsburgh defense, Steelers fans were more respectful.

One said to the family, “No rookie has ever come in here and done this,” Brad McCoy writes.

Another said, “Your son is unbelievable!”

• McCoy was encouraged by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after the game, won by Pittsburgh, 28-10.

McCoy writes that Roethlisberger said, “Great job. I thought you played well today. Keep your head up. You’re going to be a great player.”

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

AKRON, Ohio — The Browns won’t break the bank on veteran free agents when the NFL re-opens for business, General Manager Tom Heckert said Tuesday.

“We’re not going to be gung-ho in free agency,” he said after finishing his round at the 12th annual Browns Foundation Golf Tournament at Firestone Country Club. “There’s a couple of guys that we may be interested in, but it’s not going to be enough where it’s going to affect how we practice and all of that stuff.”

One free agent the Browns will not pursue is receiver Plaxico Burress, a league source told The Plain Dealer. Heckert said the Browns don’t feel desperate to upgrade their receiving corps.

“We added a tight end, and added a fullback that can catch the ball, so I think we did help our receiving as a group,” he said. “But if we think somebody can improve us, we’ll do it.”

Heckert indicated the Browns will be on the lookout for a possible starting safety.

“Right now, Mike Adams is penciled in as a guy who’s going to play almost all safety for us, but we’ll see,” he said. “There’s a few guys in free agency and we’ll see what happens with the undrafted rookies, so we still have a couple of options out there.”

Heckert also confirmed a recent Plain Dealer report that the Browns will not trade for Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.

“You can dispel that,” he said. “We’re not trading for a quarterback. That one I’ll say.”

Heckert couldn’t say if fullback Lawrence Vickers is correct to think he won’t be back following the drafting of Stanford’s Owen Marecic. “It’s hard to tell,” he said. “We didn’t really have a chance to talk to him once free agency started because of the rules. It never started. We’ll have to make all of those decisions once everything opens up.”

The status of quarterback Jake Delhomme, under contract at $5.4 million, is equally uncertain, Heckert said. “Whenever the thing opens up, we’ll sit down with Jake and talk to him and decide what’s the best for him and for our organization,” Heckert said. “We have to wait until that happens.”

Heckert said he’s happy that Colt McCoy is getting the offensive skill players together — Camp Colt III opens Thursday at Texas — but couldn’t quantify it.

“How much they’re actually going to learn football-wise, that’s debatable, but I do think it’s healthy,” he said. “Those guys are used to being around each other and so anytime they can do it, I think it’s great.”

Heckert said the staff, including coaches, are set to go on vacation — but with some caveats.

“Don’t be spending a lot of money, putting it down on houses and don’t go out of the country because we might be back,” said Heckert. “So yes, we’ll be gone, but we’ll be ready to come back if we have to.”

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Jake Delhomme didn’t become a starting NFL quarterback until he was 28, but has still managed to put together an admirable career — highlighted by his steering of the 2003 Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl.

Delhomme was nearly a champion, completing 16 of 33 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns (two in the fourth quarter) and no interceptions in Carolina’s 32-29 loss to the New England Patriots on Adam Vinatieri’s next-to-last-play-of-the-game field goal.

Now, though, Delhomme projects as the Cleveland Browns’ third-string quarterback in 2011. Colt McCoy, about to begin his season season, is the likely starter, and veteran Seneca Wallace recently signed a three-year contract extension. He figures to back up McCoy.

Delhomme is scheduled to make $5.4 million in the second and last year of his contract with the Browns. If he stays behind McCoy and Wallace on the depth chart, Delhomme might have to accept a pay cut to remain in Cleveland.

James Walker writes about Delhomme and the Browns for ESPN.com:

The Browns like Delhomme’s veteran presence and leadership. But the past two years — including the 2010 season in Cleveland — proved Delhomme, 36, is no longer a starting NFL quarterback. The Browns paid Delhomme $7 million last season to throw for 872 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions in five games. Comparing dollars and production, it was one of the worst investments last year in free agency.

After signing a two-year deal last offseason, Delhomme is now one of the AFC North’s prime candidates to be released whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. Delhomme said immediately after the season that he wasn’t sure he will be back, and Cleveland’s front office has been elusive on the topic.

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com continue Browns coverage. A feature on cleveland.com is the Browns history database, which includes the game stories of every regular season and playoff game in Browns history.

Browns banter

Browns left offensive tackle Joe Thomas ranks 43rd on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2011 list, writes Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

Thomas, though, would rank even better than No. 43, but he lets his play do most of his talking. By Vic Carucci for NFL.com.

The NFL Network thus far has announced numbers 41 through 100 on its top 100 list. 

Pat Shurmur is the Browns’ new head coach. Dave Kolonich, for Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report, looks at how some NFL head coaches did in their rookie seasons.

Former Steelers and Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, just released from prison, shouldn’t draw a lot of interest as a free agent. By Len Pasquarelli for the Sports Xchange on Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

What do you guys think about this.

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Jabaal Sheard, the Cleveland Browns’ second-round selection in the draft, is just like everyone else when it comes to the NFL lockout — when is this thing going to be over?

So all Sheard can do is wait, work out, wait some more and settle in as a statistic that many Clevelanders share with him.

Steve Doerschuk of CantonRep.com writes:

“I’m basically unemployed right now, with no income. Saving money is big … not that I have any.”

With that, he laughed. He just turned 22 and exudes energy right through the cell phone. The money will be fine when it comes.

Sheard will probably start for the Browns this coming season. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Sheard is a sophisticated pass rusher for his age, writes Doerschuk.  Some of that goes to Sheard’s speed and makeup. 

Sheard was Big East defensive player of the year in 2010 after making nine sacks and 14 1/2 tackles for loss. That and $1.39 will get him a gas station coffee during the lockout.

“I want get to know my Browns coaches and teammates,” he said. “I want to get in a playbook.

“It gets a little frustrating. I’m tired of sitting around.”

Colt in the mix

Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren says Colt McCoy is in the mix with the rest of the quarterbacks on the team. He’s the frontrunner, but the job won’t be handed to him.

On NFL.com:

 ”We have Seneca Wallace, too, and Jake Delhomme as well right now,” Holmgren said at the NFL Spring Meeting. “But (McCoy) got his feet wet last year. I didn’t necessarily want him to play that much last year, but we were injured, and so he had a chance to play. He showed us enough where he will go in, and we’re hopeful that — it’ll be competitive — but if he does what I think he can do, he’ll probably be the guy, yeah.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell

Not that many fans and players would miss them, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said today at the conclusion of the NFL spring meetings that if the lockout doesn’t end relatively soon, the league is going to have to start canceling preseason games.

On USAToday.com:

“We don’t have a date, but obviously that time is coming,” Goodell said. “We canceled our rookie symposium, so we’re getting close enough where those will have to be considerations. Obviously we would prefer to get a negotiated agreement so we don’t have to make those decisions.”

Still, as he stood in Indianapolis, the site of next year’s Super Bowl, Goodell said the locals should feel confident that the game will, in fact, be played.

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Read More: Colt McCoy (QB – CLE), Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy has been leading the Cleveland Browns through their unofficial team workouts, as reported here earlier. Not surprisingly, this has put him in the mix to lead the Browns during the regular season as the Browns starting quarterback according to team president Mike Holmgren.

McCoy, who started eight games for the Browns last season, seems to be the front-runner in Holmgren’s eyes whenever the NFL Lockout finishes.

“We have Seneca Wallace, too, and Jake Delhomme as well right now,” Holmgren told the NFL Network’s Albert Breer. “But (McCoy) got his feet wet last year. I didn’t necessarily want him to play that much last year, but we were injured, and so he had a chance to play. He showed us enough where he will go in, and we’re hopeful that — it’ll be competitive — but if he does what I think he can do, he’ll probably be the guy, yeah.”

The former Texas signal-caller has impressed Holmgren quite a bit, it seems.

“I’ve always been impressed with Colt and his leadership ability — that’s one of the reasons we drafted him (in the third round),” Holmgren said. “So I’m not surprised by this. They love to play the game, so he’s going to do what he has to now as he gets his chance to be the starting quarterback and the leader of the football team.

“He’s going to do what he has to do, what he thinks is best, in this time we’re going through right now. I’m not surprised by it. And yeah, it puts a little smile on my face.”

If Holmgren is smiling, all is good in the Dawg Pound, right?

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Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.