We're not sure who will be the Browns' starting quarterback in 2009, but we know for sure it won't be Ken Dorsey or Bruce Gradkowski.

We also know that linebacker Antwan Peek will not suffer another injury or record another sack for the Browns.

Those players were among seven released by the Browns on Monday, the first day NFL teams were permitted to begin cleaning up their rosters for the 2009 off-season.

Others dismissed from the roster were veteran cornerback Terry Cousin and three developmental players - punter Mike Dragosavich, kicker Jason Reda and offensive lineman Eric Young.

Dorsey, the Browns' No. 3 quarterback the past three seasons, was considered Brady Quinn's mentor because he knew the Rob Chudzinski offensive system better than any of the other coaches. The fact his arm resembled hamburger meat wasn't a problem until he was forced to start three games last season.

After injuries knocked out Quinn and Derek Anderson, Dorsey piloted the Browns to no offensive touchdowns in losses to Tennessee (28-9), Philadelphia (30-10) and Cincinnati (14-0).

Dorsey suffered broken ribs in the Cincinnati game and ended the year on injured reserve. He compiled a 26.5 passer rating on 43-of-91 passing for 374 yards and seven interceptions.

Gradkowski relieved Dorsey and became the team's fourth starting quarterback. In a 31-0 mauling by the Steelers in the season finale in Pittsburgh, he was 5-of-16 for 18 yards, sacked three times and intercepted twice.

Peek arrived in 2007 as a midlevel free agent ($8 million over three years), hopeful of providing a pass rush from the left side opposite Kamerion Wimbley. He had four sacks his first season while playing through knee and ankle injuries.

Peek was sidelined through training camp last year after having arthroscopic knee surgery and then suffered a torn patellar tendon in September that resulted in season-ending surgery.

Cousin, 33, was signed last May when the Browns were desperate for cornerback help. He played in every game as a third corner and recorded one interception and two pass breakups.

Dragosavich and Reda signed future contracts with the Browns last month. Dragosavich spent the final week of 2008 on the practice squad, and Reda spent the 2008 preseason with the team as an undrafted free agent. Young signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent last spring and spent the season on the non-Football injury list.

These were the first transactions made by the new management tandem of coach Eric Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis.

Neither commented in a news release issued by the Browns announcing the moves.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670