By Zac Jackson
This report filed July 18, 2001:

The Browns signed seventh round draft pick Andre King Wednesday, leaving four Cleveland draft picks without contracts as July 22, the day rookies report to camp, draws nearer.

The unsigned players are DT Gerard Warren, WR Quincy Morgan, RB James Jackson and OL Paul Zukauskas.

Browns Director of Football Operations Dwight Clark said the team was “close” to reaching agreements with Jackson and Zukauskas, but the chances of Warren and Morgan reporting to camp on time weren’t as strong.

“I don’t think they will be here on Sunday,” Clark said of the team’s first and second round selections. “The players have indicated that they want (a deal) done and both players have a chance to start.”

Morgan is one of a handful of talented young receivers who will look to make a lasting impression on the coaching staff in camp. Warren, the third overall selection in the Draft, could make an immediate impact on the defensive front.

“We’ve been very fair the last two years with our picks and I think (Warren) realizes that,” Clark said. “The player is motivated to get it done.”

Clark said the team is still talking to free agent OT and former Brown Tony Jones, who spent the last four seasons with Denver. Depth on the offensive line is an issue because the Browns’ two most prominent offseason pickups—Ross Verba and Tre Johnson—will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform List while recovering from injuries.

Clark said both Verba and Johnson are expected back in early August and Johnson, who missed most of the 2000 season with a knee injury, is ahead of schedule in rehabilitation.

King (5-foot-11, 195) played for Butch Davis at Miami and recorded 11 receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown in his senior year with the Hurricanes. A 27-year-old former minor league baseball player, King was behind 2001 first round picks Santana Moss (Jets) and Reggie Wayne (Colts) on Miami's depth chart at receiver.

The team also signed free agent OL Damon Nivens and released RB Chris Floyd and P Gabe Lindstrom.

Nivens (6-foor-5, 315) played at Southern University and signed with Chicago as an undrafted rookie free agent prior to the 2000 season. This past spring he played with the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe

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