Testaverde Signs With Browns

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde, a free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday as the backup to starter Bernie Kosar in the hope that rejoining his college buddy will make the game fun again.

“Being back on the same team, playing the role I did in college, I feel comfortable with it,” Testaverde said. “We have a good relationship, Bernie and I do, and I think that will make it more fun than it has been for me in the past few years.”

Testaverde, the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner, has struggled through six seasons in the NFL. He was Kosar’s backup when the two played at the University of Miami.

“There’s no question I look at it as a new beginning,” said Testaverde, who settled on a one-year deal with a club option. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Testaverde earned $1.5 million as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback last season. The Buccaneers were 24-48 in five years under his direction.