Coach Romeo Crennel said Tuesday he’s not worried about rookie Brady Quinn’s early misfires in organized team activities (OTAs).

“It’s not a concern yet,” Crennel said. “In September, it’ll be a concern if they’re not on target, but right now, he’s still learning the system, learning the defense and learning the receivers he’s trying to throw to.”

Crennel said Quinn “is a willing student and he’ll be OK.”

Last week, on the first day of OTAs, Quinn threw three interceptions in the early part of practice and then settled down. This week, he was picked off early by Therrian Fontenot, completed a few short passes and was the victim of a couple of drops, including one by Braylon Edwards.

“It’s funny,” Quinn said. “Everyone kind of looks at [last week] as frustration, but I sat back and thought about it for a while and I was like Hey, my first day at Notre Dame was very similar.’ It was rough. I don’t think I threw that many picks, but you understand, this is all part of the process.

“Everyone wants to be greedy, get in there and try to play as soon as you can, but you’ve really got to be patient. You’ve got to adjust, learn the offense, learn the system, get to know your teammates and the way they run routes.”

Quinn stressed the quarterbacks are adjusting to receivers who are also learning the new system.

“The routes call for a different depth, different timing, that sort of thing,” Quinn said.

Quinn acknowledged the vast difference in speed between the college and pro game.

“It’s tough,” Quinn said. “It’s something everyone has to adjust to. It’s all part of the process and something I’m still trying to work myself through as we’re putting in more of the offense.

Despite the rocky first day, he said he feels like he’s picking up the new offense quickly.

“I just need more reps,” he said. “We’re all getting equal reps and we’re all itching for more. It’s got to be tough on Derek [Anderson] and Charlie [Frye], who started games last year.”

Quinn and the other quarterbacks have been staying on the field after practice for extra work.

“I’m just studying so I know it like the back of my hand,” he said. “You have to learn the terminology. You may be a brainiac when it comes to English literature, but if you’re going over to Spain, you’ve got to be able to speak Spanish and adapt to that culture.”

Quinn said he knows it’s important for him to get to camp on time, but that he’ll let his agent, Tom Condon, worry about that.

“The pressure’s on him, not me,” he said.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer