By BRIAN DULIK

Staff Writer

BEREA — There are no illusions about what Ken Dorsey brings to the table at this stage of his football career.

The 27-year-old quarterback last started an NFL game in 2005, hasn’t completed a pass in three seasons and owns a 2-8 record as a pro.

“Is he as good with his arm strength as (Derek Anderson)? No,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. “Is his arm strength as good as Brady (Quinn)? No.

“That’s why he was number three, but he’s a smart young quarterback, he knows the system and I think that he’ll be able to recognize defenses and manage the game.”

Crennel had better hope so because Dorsey will be under center Sunday when Cleveland (4-8) plays at the powerful Tennessee Titans (11-1).

The one-time Miami (Fla.) standout inherited the starting job when Quinn and Anderson both suffered season-ending injuries, giving him an unexpected opportunity to run the show for the final four games.

“I’m going to go out there and I’m going to work hard,” Dorsey said. “I’m going to work hard for the guys in this locker room, I’m going to work hard for the city of Cleveland. There is no doubt that every time I step on the field, I’m going to give everything I’ve got.”

Since joining the Browns in a trade with San Francisco on May 4, 2006, Dorsey has thrown exactly four regular-season passes, completing none, with one interception and a 0.0 passer rating. He went 0-for-3 with a pick last week in a 10-6 loss to Indianapolis, which marked just the second time he has been on the field in a game that counted.

The majority of Dorsey’s action has come in the last three preseasons, where he has connected on 74-of-136 passes for 763 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions and a dismal 61.0 rating.

Quinn, though, says his mentor is more than ready to lead the team to victory.

“Ken Dorsey is a baller,” he said. “He didn’t win all those games in college for no reason. I expect him to go out there and be one of the best prepared quarterbacks in the league, and I’m looking for him to throw up some big numbers.”

Dorsey’s resume was remarkable with the Hurricanes, who he led to 38 wins in 40 games, three Big East titles and the 2001 national championship. He owns almost every Miami career passing record, including yards (9,565) and touchdowns (86), and won the Maxwell Award in 2001 as the most outstanding player in the nation.

The San Francisco 49ers made Dorsey their seventh-round draft pick in 2003, then gave him 10 starts over the next three years. He only won two games, completed just 53.4 percent of his throws and was intercepted 12 times to eight touchdowns.

“My record is my record, I can’t change it,” the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder said. “I want to win more football games and this is a great opportunity to do that. When you play great teams like we’re going to play this weekend, you get excited because you want that opportunity, you embrace that.”

Though questions about Dorsey’s arm strength will likely always be there, his value to the Browns goes far beyond his physical ability. General manager Phil Savage gave him a contract extension through 2010 to serve as a calming presence for his younger QBs, both of whom revere his wisdom.

But don’t think Dorsey is ready to hang up his cleats and become a full-time coach. If anything, his lack of playing time has made him even hungrier for action.

“I just like playing, I like being out there,” he said. “Any time you’re not on the field, it’s tough. I don’t think anybody would be in this league if they didn’t want to be on the field playing.

“You do whatever it takes to keep yourself ready and when your opportunity arises, you go out and play and do the best you can. It’s exciting for me to have another opportunity to play on Sunday.”

Dulik may be reached at 330-721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com