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All Derrick Morse wanted was a chance.

The Cleveland Browns were happy to oblige.

Two months after his initial workout, the former Estero High and Miami offensive lineman officially signed with the Browns when he arrived for two weeks of conditioning and playbook cramming on Monday.

"I was starting to worry I wasn't going to get an opportunity," said Morse, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound guard who made 29 career starts for the Hurricanes. "It's a tryout, essentially, but I'm getting a chance to show what I can do. That's all I can ask for, an opportunity, but it's exciting because this is what you dream about."

Specifically, the undrafted Morse has been dreaming about the Browns since his April audition.

The team told him to hang tight after that first impression, praising him for his performance but insisting there was simply no room for him on the roster.

Morse went to a similar tryout for the New York Giants in May, and after a few weeks of worry and workouts, the Browns -- who are already dealing with injuries across their O-line -- finally called back.

"I'm so happy it's Cleveland," Morse said. "The support in the city is awesome, the coaches are cool and they had a great season last year. It's an exciting time for them and it's an exciting time for me."

He may be slightly "behind the 8-ball," having missed last week's minicamp, but Morse insists he'll catch up over the next two weeks. Then when he arrives to training camp in August, he'll have a handful of Hurricane-related connections to ease his transition.

Cleveland offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinksi (2001-03) held the same post for the Canes when Morse redshirted as a freshman, while linebacker Leon Williams is a former teammate, and tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr., and quarterback Ken Dorsey are both familiar faces from Coral Gables.

Plus, the Browns have already signed another undrafted Hurricane, receiver Lance Leggett, this spring.

Not that it's going to make his job any easier.

"I'm going to have to work hard these next two weeks to learn the offense," Morse said, "but when I get into camp, I'm going to be as physically and mentally ready as I can be to earn a spot. Whether it's practice squad or whatever, I just want to be part of the team."

If Morse seems undaunted by what should be an uphill battle, well, it's because he's been there before.

He overcame injuries, the death of teammate Bryan Pata, and everything from coaching rumors to ugly losses to on-field brawls during his four years at Miami.

Think he's intimidated now?

"I've been through a lot," he said, "and what I've learned and how I've matured is enough to take me through life. That's prepared me for football at the next level, life or whatever else comes. I'm excited that the next part of my life is with the Cleveland Browns. Hopefully I make it, but if not, I'm ready for whatever else comes along."