Quarterback Brady Quinn's opportunity came and went in a hurry. He waited his whole life to make the NFL and then 1 1/2 years more for his first start for the Cleveland Browns.

And then, it was gone -- a three-and-out more painful than any before.

Quinn's season ended yesterday after just three starts, done in by a broken right index finger that he tried to play with last week and may now require surgery.

Given the options of resting or an operation last week, Quinn could have sat out the game Sunday against Houston. But the second-year quarterback chose to play and did more damage to his finger.

"I knew that was a consequence if I went in and played," Quinn said yesterday. "That was something that I was willing to risk. If I had a chance to do it over, I would do it again."

Quinn, who threw an interception on his final pass of the season, must now decide whether to have surgery or have his finger immobilized in a splint. Browns coach Romeo Crennel said doctors want Quinn to make up his mind within a week. Either way, it's at least a six-week process and Quinn won't play again this season.

"It's frustrating," said the former Notre Dame star, who broke the tip of his finger and sustained tendon damage in his second start Nov. 17 at Buffalo. "I can't begin to tell you. I'm hurting right now because I love to play the game. I wish I could be with my teammates. I feel bad for the fans because I really wanted to be out there and continue to play and continue to grow in this league.

"Hopefully, this will allow me to grow stronger and something good will come from this."

With Quinn out, Derek Anderson is back as Cleveland's starter.

But even if he leads the Browns to a 5-0 mark, Anderson's days in an orange helmet appear numbered.

In a stunning comment, Crennel, who may not be back next season, said Quinn will be his starter going into training camp in 2009.

"I had planned to go with Brady to be the quarterback," Crennel said. "When he comes back, he's going to be the quarterback. Quinn is the starter."

Crennel then became agitated when he was asked if he would change his mind if Anderson finished strong.

"D.A. was the starter, you guys hated him," Crennel said to reporters. "Quinn goes in and plays and now you're telling me if D.A. lights it up, you want him to be the starter. I have decided that Quinn is going to be the starter. I'm sorry if you don't like that."

Anderson lost his job to Quinn three weeks ago, when Crennel benched the Pro Bowler because of inconsistent play in the season's first eight games.

Dolphins

Linebacker Joey Porter apologized for not leaving the field Sunday against New England, but said the incident was blown out of proportion. The NFL sack leader would not leave the game as Dolphins first-year coach Tony Sparano had instructed in Miami's 48-28 loss to the Patriots. Porter, who is as well-known for his opinions as his sacks, did not take questions after making his 39-second statement. The Dolphins (6-5) unraveled in the fourth quarter against the Patriots. Linebacker Channing Crowder was ejected for a scuffle with a Patriots player and Porter racked up two penalties. After the game, nose tackle Jason Ferguson and defensive end Vonnie Holliday apologized, and Sparano said the Dolphins showed a lack of poise.

The NFL fined Crowder and Matt Light of New England $15,000 apiece by the NFL for what the league called "a verbal and physical altercation."

Redskins

London Fletcher was one of three defensive starters unable to practice because of foot injuries, putting the middle linebacker's streak of 130 consecutive NFL starts in jeopardy. Defensive end Andre Carter (plantar fasciitis) and defensive tackle Kedric Golston (bone spurs) also did not practice. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin didn't practice because of a sore shoulder, but he was on the field in sweats.

Falcons

Starting tight end Ben Hartsock was place on injured reserve and the team brought back Jason Rader for the second time this season. Rader was released by the Falcons after training camp.

Giants

Place-kicker Lawrence Tynes has asked the Bush administration to commute a lengthy sentence given to his brother for distributing marijuana. Tynes maintains that the 27-year sentence that his brother Mark is serving in a federal facility in Arkansas was excessive for the crime. Mark Tynes was convicted in 2004.