Seahawks send Dilfer to Browns for pick

The Cleveland Browns didn’t wait long to find an experienced quarterback, trading a fourth-round draft pick for Seattle Seahawks veteran Trent Dilfer on Saturday.

The Browns were left with two inexperienced quarterbacks after Kelly Holcomb signed a four-year deal with Buffalo on Friday.

Enter Dilfer, who became expendable in Seattle after starter Matt Hasselbeck signed a six-year, $49 million contract last month. Dilfer, who turns 33 on March 13, appeared in 11 games last season, leading the Seahawks to victories in his only two starts.

The trade, contingent on league approval and Dilfer passing a physical, reunites the 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback with Browns general manager Phil Savage.

Savage was Baltimore’s player personnel director when Dilfer took over for starter Tony Banks midway through the 2000 season and led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title.

The move still leaves Cleveland with plenty of flexibility as it searches for a long-term solution at quarterback.

Dilfer only has one year left on his contract, so his addition would not prevent the Browns from making other moves. The fourth-round pick also is an extra one, acquired from Denver for defensive tackle Gerard Warren earlier this week.

Luke McCown and Josh Harris were the only two quarterbacks on the Cleveland roster before the trade.

Redskins, Jets swap receivers

Laveranues Coles finally got his wish. The disgruntled Redskins receiver is headed back to the New York Jets after asking out of Washington.

Coles was traded for the speedy Santana Moss in a deal that was in the works for more than a week. Moss’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said in a phone interview the deal was contingent on both players passing physicals.

A source within the league, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, also said Coles got the restructured deal he wanted, which held up the trade. But the Redskins are responsible for the final $5 million of the $13 million signing bonus he got when he joined the team in 2003.

Coles had 90 catches for 950 yards for a career-low 10.6 yards a catch and only one touchdown in the Redskins’ 6-10 season. The year before, under pass-oriented coach Steve Spurrier, Coles had 82 receptions for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns.

The 5-11, 193-pound Coles emerged as a top receiver with the Jets in 2002, quickly becoming a favorite target of Chad Pennington. He had 89 catches for 1,264 yards and six touchdowns, and commanded big money on the open market.

As for the 5-10, 185-pound Moss, the game-breaking receiver had a big year in 2003, with 74 catches for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his productivity slipped in 2004, when he had 45 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns while battling through a sore hamstring.

Around the league

The New Orleans Saints signed former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jermane Mayberry to a four-year contract. … The Miami Dolphins signed defensive end Vonnie Holliday to a two-year contract. Holliday, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs the last two years, started his career with the Green Bay Packers.