Quarterback Controversy In Cleveland?

Weary veteran Vinny Testaverde: There is no quarterback controversy in Cleveland.

Amazing rookie Eric Zeier: There is no quarterback controversy in Cleveland.

Crusty owner Art Modell: There is no quarterback controversy in Cleveland.

Third-stringer Geritol Jim McMahon: Ditto. Oh, and did anyone happen to see where I put my Medicare card?

What all this means, of course, is that there is a quarterback controversy in Cleveland, potentially a really good one.

It all started when Testaverde checked himself into the Cleveland Clinic on Aug. 10. He had a staph infection in his left ankle. Zeier was told he’d be starting the Browns’ preseason game last Monday against Chicago.

Everyone on the “Monday Night Football” crew nearly went into hysterics - losing their poise, you could say - over how poised Zeier looked. The third-round draft pick from Georgia completed 14 of 16 passes for 158 yards as Cleveland wiped out the Bears, 55-13.

Because Testaverde will be out until Friday’s preseason finale against Arizona, Zeier got to start Saturday against Atlanta, giving a chance to all 11 Vinny Testaverde fans left in Cleveland to jump on the Zeier bandwagon.

Not that there is a controversy, of course.

Paging Dave Krieg

The Chiefs devoted 13 pages to Joe Montana in their 1994 press guide. Dan Marino has a biography that covers 35 pages in the 1995 Miami Dolphins press guide.

But the new king of press guides is quarterback Dave Krieg, whose bio stretches 41 pages in the 1995 Arizona Cardinals’ book. The Cardinals are the fourth team of Krieg’s 15-year career and third in the last three seasons.

“He’s our Heisman hopeful this year,” a Cardinals offical said.

Childs watch

Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News lists former Washington State linebacker Ron Childs, now with Kansas City, as a free agent to watch.

Notes Gosselin: “Childs teamed with Mark Fields at linebacker last season at Washington State. But Fields is 6-2, 244 pounds and was a first-round NFL draft pick (by New Orleans). Childs is 5-11, 212 and went undrafted. The Chiefs signed him as a free agent because of his speed and playmaking skills. He recovered six fumbles in college and has recovered one for the Chiefs this preseason. Childs also blocked a punt last week in a scrimmage with Minnesota.”

Raiders fans bounce around

Three hundred bounced checks and 4,439 refused credit cards mean the Raiders’ first season back in Oakland isn’t the sellout it was billed to be.

That’s so far - Oakland Coliseum officials stress they still have until next season to bring in necessary ticket revenue. In all, the Coliseum is 6,036 short of a sellout.

Around the league

Two veteran quarterbacks are in camp learning the so-called West Coast offense, which the 49ers used to win four Super Bowls in the ‘80s. Denver’s John Elway is running it for ex-Niners offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, and Randall Cunningham is working it for new Eagles head coach and former Niners defnsive ace Ray Rhodes. Cunningham is handling it beautifully, but Elway is struggling. “I’m very frustrated,” Elway said. “This is more of a timing/rhythm offense. It’s just a matter of getting the feel for it. Right now I’m thinking more than reacting.”

Former New England defensive back Raymond Clayborn has been cleared of charges that he tried to kill his former wife and her boyfriend, but a jury convicted him of kicking and punching the man.

Hard-luck linebacker Marvin Jones will be lost to the New York Jets for 4-6 weeks with a severely sprained right ankle.

Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware was one of the 16 players cut Saturday by expansion Jacksonville, which decided not to wait until Tuesday’s deadline for trimming its roster.