Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/4/06

Rookie starts to quiet critics after holdout

Big catch helps Travis Wilson boost his confidence at camp

By Marla Ridenour

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->BEREA - Browns rookie receiver Travis Wilson figured the whispers were coming a few days ago when he dropped a pass in practice.
``Someone mumbled, `Oh, best receiver in the draft,' '' Wilson said.
Wilson knows that proclamation after his selection in the third round out of the University of Oklahoma set him up for a lot of grief from teammates and opponents. But he's not retracting anything.
``Anything you do you should feel you're the best at it or otherwise you shouldn't be doing it,'' he said. ``I meant no disrespect to other players. I feel I'm the best at what I do and that's what pushes me every day, to live up to that. I don't settle for lower standards. My goal is as high as the sky. Every day I want to come out here and back up what I said.''
He started to make good on those words Thursday afternoon when he came up with the best catch of camp. Quarterback Lang Campbell launched a pass about 40 yards and the 6-foot-1 Wilson went high over 6-foot cornerback Chris Thompson. Wilson bobbled the ball briefly but hung onto it as he fell.
``That helped my confidence and hopefully opened the eyes of the coaches,'' Wilson said. ``But I don't want to be a one-time wonder. I've got to make those things happen every time I get a chance. That's in the past now. I'm looking to make more like that.''
He also went low for a Derek Anderson ball later in practice. It was a timely performance from Wilson, who missed three days and four practices in a contract holdout.
Wilson was the only one of the Browns' 10 draft picks who didn't report on time, which didn't please coach Romeo Crennel. But Thursday's spectacular plays did.
``It was a good effort play on his part,'' Crennel said of the long one. ``He made another good catch later. At the beginning of the team period, we had most of the young guys on the field. They were trying to take advantage of those opportunities and I think Travis did. He showed some aggressiveness for the ball, some of the things he did in college, going up and taking the ball away from guys. I was glad to see him step up and make some plays.''
But Crennel still isn't completely won over.
``He's working and trying to impress us,'' Crennel said. ``I don't think in one practice he's going to make up all the time he's missed. But I was encouraged by what I saw today. If he will continue to make plays like that, run the correct routes, block the correct people, then he can make some progress.''
After six days here, Wilson said he's feeling more relaxed and comfortable with his teammates and hopes that's starting to show.
``Going from any level there's always a little zone you're going to go through where you've got to get your confidence, get your swagger back,'' he said.
``Coach is letting everyone get opportunities to make plays. I feel like I've earned a few more chances. As a rookie, making the most of your chances is what's going to get you on the field on Sunday.''
Brownies . . .
Crennel rested quarterback Charlie Frye and tight end Kellen Winslow, letting them watch the day's only practice. ``I'm good to go,'' Frye said. ``I wanted to rest his arm and take a look at some of those other guys,'' Crennel said of Frye.... Safety Sean Jones will not participate in the Family Fun Night scrimmage at the stadium at 7 p.m. tonight. He has a family matter to attend to and won't return until Sunday.... Sidelined due to injury were cornerback Antonio Perkins (hamstring), running back Chris Barclay (ankle) and tight ends John Owens (muscle strain) and Darnell Dinkins (ankle).... Tickets are $5 for family night, which includes a post-practice fireworks show. Proceeds go to the Cleveland Browns Foundation.
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Canton

8/4/06

Receiver sets bar high

Friday, August 4, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By STEVE DOERSCHUK[/FONT]


BEREA - After Travis Wilson’s yawn-inspiring 310-yard receiving year at Oklahoma, one might have thought this Sooner would have gone later.
But Phil Savage thought Wilson was worth drafting in the same round, third, where the Browns got Charlie Frye in 2005.
For the first time in training camp, Wilson showed strong signs Thursday that he might look good on the field with Frye in 2006.
With Frye being rested Thursday in anticipation of tonight’s practice at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Wilson made several nice grabs, including the best catch of the first nine days of camp.
Working against young Chris Thompson on a deep sideline route, Wilson went up to get a ball slightly underthrown by Lang Campbell. Thompson had time to catch up and get a body on Wilson at the moment the ball came down. But Wilson basically tipped the ball to himself, slowing it down and letting it float softly. He picked iot off the ground just before landing in a heap with Thompson.
“It was a good effort play,” Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. “He showed some aggressiveness to the ball today. I was glad to see that.”
Crennel, though, hasn’t forgotten that Wilson missed rookie practices and four full-squad sessions last week. Wilson was the team’s only holdout.
“I don’t think in one practice that he’s gonna make up all the time he missed,” Crennel said.
The Browns have missed on their share of receivers in expansion-era drafts. Kevin Johnson and Quincy Morgan rose and fell. Andre Davis teased but never broke through. JaJuan Dawson, a No. 79 overall pick, was too slow.
Savage, though, was clearly pleased to get Wilson at No. 78 overall. Here was a tall, athletic wideout who had a 50-catch, 11-touchdown season in 2004, when his quarterback was Jason White. With White gone, Oklahoma’s offense stumbled, and Wilson got lost in an injury-plagued season.
Savage was still sold.
“When Travis came on his (predraft) visit,” the GM said in April, “I told him I thought he would be one of the steals of the draft. His stock had dropped and I thought he would be a second-rounder, and someone was going to get a good player.
“Travis was too good of a value to pass up at that position.”
Wilson more than agreed. On draft day, he said he regarded himself as the best receiver in the draft.
“I hear about that out here,” Wilson said after Thursday’s practice. “The other day I dropped a ball and somebody yelled, ‘Best receiver in the draft, huh?’
“When I said that in April, it was something for me to shoot for. I meant no disrespect to any of the other players.
“I feel I’m the best at what I do. I push every day to live up to that. I don’t settle for no lower standards. My goals are as high as the sky.”
The Browns’ wide receiver position is up in the air.
Braylon Edwards is practicing but might not be ready for the season opener after knee surgery. It’s unclear where free agency pick-up Joe Jurevicius will fit in. Undersized Dennis Northcutt is coming off a bad year.
If Wilson tears it up in preseason games, there’ll be room for him on the field.
Apparently, confidence is no problem. He concedes nothing to even Edwards, a No. 3 overall draft pick last year. “I feel we’re very similar,” Wilson said of Edwards. “We push one another. We both believe we’re the best.” Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail [email protected].


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Browns partner with WKYC for preseason games

Friday, August 4, 2006


BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns announced Thursday that WKYC-TV will show its preseason games and other programming, after the team separated from another television station in a dispute over the airing of a 911 tape.
The Browns’ first preseason game is Aug. 10 at Philadelphia. WKYC announced that its preseason broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer, Sam Rosen, and color commentary by former quarterback Bernie Kosar and wide receiver Brian Brennan.
Channel 3 also will air a pregame show for preseason and regular season games and Sunday and Monday evening shows.
The financial terms were not released.
A judge this week declined to block the team from buying out the final two years of its three-year contract with WOIO-TV.
Browns owner Randy Lerner was upset that the station aired an emergency call placed by his sister, Nancy Fisher, after she found her 6-year-old daughter drowned on the family’s property. Channel 19’s contract with the Browns required the station to pay slightly more than $3.9 million over three years. The termination of the contract included a payment by the Browns to the station.

Canton

8/4/06

Even at 38, Browns nose tackle can bring it

Friday, August 4, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Steve Doerschuk repository sports writer[/FONT]


BEREA - They used to call baseball slugger Ted Williams “Teddy Ballgame.”
In baseball terms, the Browns’ “Teddy Ballgame” is the backstop.
The Browns roster lists him at 365 pounds, and you wonder if that comes from a scale or an estimate.
They’ve always sent two guys to hit this “Teddy Ballgame.” He was one of the best nose tackles in the NFL for a lot of years. Maybe he still is.
He’s an iron man, having played in 215 NFL games.
Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel came away from Thursday’s practice talking as if Ted Washington can be the Orange Monster he needs for his 3-4 defense.
“He’s good,” said Crennel, seeming to savor the sentence. “When I was with him in New England (2003), he was good.”
Washington, who will turn 39 not long after the next Super Bowl, figures to play first and second downs for the Browns. He projects as a run plugger deluxe who will allow both safeties to stay deep, shutting off big plays.
“He knows how to play the technique,” Crennel said. “His hands are good. His feet are good.
“He knows where he needs to fit. He knows where the guys around him need to fit.
“He will encourage the guys around him to be where they need to fit.”
Veteran fullback Terrelle Smith, who makes his living as a battering ram, marvels at what Washington has brought the Browns.
“I played with a guy in New Orleans, Norman Hand, who was just about as tall, but I think Ted is outweighing him by 75 pounds.
“But Ted is very athletic. When they run line games at him, he has to move. He moves.
“He scoots around pretty well, which we don’t understand, because the guys is 38.
“It’s amazing to play that long in the league and be as good as he is.”
FRYE GETS BREATHER
Quarterback Charlie Frye and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. dressed for Thursday’s practice but didn’t do much.
“I was resting those guys a little bit,” Crennel said.
No one thought much of this regarding Winslow, since he is coming off knee surgery. Frye, though, had looked strong and healthy through eight days of training camp, despite a heavy throwing load.
Perhaps Crennel was making sure Frye is fresh for his outing tonight at Cleveland Browns Stadium. A two-hour practice beginning at 7 p.m. is expected to draw a crowd of around 20,000.
The Browns are managing Frye’s body and psyche. Being fresh so he can throw well in front of the season’s first big crowd might do him some good.
Frye talked only briefly on his way off the field. “I’m good to go,” he told reporters.
He wore a protective sleeve on his right knee. Crennel said lots of players wear those during practice.
“There’s no major problem as far as I know,” Crennel said.
GAMES ON Channel 3
WKYC-TV Channel 3 won the bidding to televise the Browns’ four preseason games locally. Each game will be broadcast live, with ex-Browns Bernie Kosar and Brian Brennan analyzing, and Sam Rosen doing play by play. The games are Thursday at Philadelphia, Aug. 18 against Detroit, Aug. 26 at Buffalo and Aug. 31 against Chicago. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail [email protected]


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/5/06

BROWNS NOTEBOOK

Crennel sees few things to be happy about in sloppy scrimmage

Saturday, August 05, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CLEVELAND — Sure, it was just an intrasquad scrimmage.
But Romeo Crennel was not happy with the way his team performed under the lights of Cleveland Browns Stadium last night.
A crowd of 24,749 during Family Fun Night witnessed sloppy play.
The offense struggled the most. Starting quarterback Charlie Frye participated in one 15-play set that ended with an interception by reserve safety Shawn Mayer.Backup Ken Dorsey guided the second team and had passes intercepted by safety Brian Russell and rookie linebacker D’Qwell Jackson.
There were some highlights. Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. made a couple of catches for the first time in two years. But it was evident that the Browns still have a lot of work to do before the Sept. 10 season opener against New Orleans.
"We’re not as sharp as we need to be," Crennel said. "We were sluggish offensively. Some things on defense looked OK, but they were able to slip a couple of runs through.
"We threw interceptions, fumbled snaps, can’t make field goals, and it’s hard to win doing stuff like that."
The other guy

Third-year lineman Kirk Chambers knows his days as the starting right tackle are numbered, but he doesn’t care. This is his first chance to play the entire NFL preseason with the first unit.
A knee injury sidelined Ryan Tucker for the next month, opening the opportunity for Chambers. He started the scrimmage last night.
The former sixth-round pick played in 15 games for the Browns last year on special teams and in goal-line situations.
"It’s an opportunity for me to get a few more reps and show if and where I have improved," Chambers said. "Hopefully, (I can) show that I am able to be dependable out there on the field."
Harrison makes a run

The Browns are looking for a third-down running back and fifth-round pick Jerome Harrison might be the man.
Harrison looked good last night and scored on a 7-yard run. He is competing with Lee Suggs and William Green to spell starting running back Reuben Droughns.
Harrison rushed for 1,900 yards his senior year at Washington State and has shown the ability to elude tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield.
"We had a player named David Meggett (former New York Giants running back) who was a third-down back with explosiveness and quickness," Crennel said. "When you see (Harrison) make some of those cuts and that acceleration, it kind of reminds you of Meggett."
Brownie points

Linebacker Chaun Thompson suffered a calf injury playing with the first-team defense and didn’t return . … Receiver Joe Jurevicius (back), tight end Darnell Dinkins (ankle) and cornerback Antonio Perkins (hamstring) didn’t participate because of injuries. [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/5/06

`Fun Night' not so much

First-team offense, Frye struggle against backups in scrimmage

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - Browns coach Romeo Crennel threw his starting offense a bone at Friday night's controlled intrasquad scrimmage during ``Family Fun Night'' at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The offense threw it back.
Crennel had the starters face the second- and third-team defense because ``maybe (the offense) might get a little rhythm going,'' Crennel said.
Any rhythm was off key.
``We threw interceptions, fumbled snaps, can't make field goals -- it's hard to win doing stuff like that,'' Crennel said. ``We've got a lot of work to do and a short time to try to get something done with it.''
The starting offensive line produced no holes (though it's hard to gauge a running game when tackling is banned) and quarterback Charlie Frye (unofficially) ended with a 26.7 rating.
``Sluggish'' was the word Crennel used for his offense.
He was right.
The offense missed two field goals in the two-minute drill, threw two interceptions (one by Frye, one by backup Ken Dorsey) and fumbled a snap.
Frye had some good throws, but had three possessions end on downs and another end on an end-zone interception.
After his stint was over, Frye went to the bench, sat down and did not get up for a long time. Part of that time he spent talking to trainer Marty Lauzon and team doctor Anthony Miniaci.
``We were just down there having a conversation,'' Frye said.
``They didn't tell me anything was wrong with him,'' Crennel said. ``And he didn't say anything was wrong with him.''
Asked three times if something was wrong, Frye said: ``I'm good to go.''
Frye sat out Thursday's practice with a sleeve on his right knee, and he watched from the sideline as Dorsey ran the red zone and two-minute drills with the first unit Friday night.
That seems a tad eyebrow-raising given Frye is a young quarterback trying to learn.
But Crennel said that was his plan all along.
``We didn't come out of the gates like we wanted to,'' Frye said. ``We hit some plays, but I'm just ready to play against somebody else to tell you the truth.''
The one bright spot was tight end Kellen Winslow, who Crennel said ``showed up.''
Winslow's first reception was on a crossing pattern and went for 11 yards. His second was a short, 4-yard catch.
On both catches, he said he would have had bigger gains had tackling been allowed because Winslow expects to break tackles.
``He made some plays and that was encouraging to see,'' Crennel said. ``He also had a few mistakes that he made that cost the team, one in the two-minute situation.
``But it's the first time in two years he's been out here and it's somewhat of a learning experience for him.''
Frye's night and numbers were much like last season, when the young quarterback showed promise but also inconsistency.
He finished (unofficially) 5-for-10 for 54 yards with one interception.
``He was OK until he threw that interception in the end zone,'' Crennel said. ``Red zone interception, that's a big turnaround in the game.''
Frye's first throw was nearly intercepted by a backup linebacker (Clifton Smith), and his last one was picked off by a backup safety (Shawn Mayer).
The interception was a bad decision as he threw the ball up on the run from the 10-yard line.
``That ball didn't come out very good,'' Frye said. ``I was trying to put it on Frisman's (Jackson) back shoulder, and I've made that play 100 times. It just didn't come out of my hands right.''
In between, he made a nice throw to Dennis Northcutt for 18 yards, a 14-yard completion over the middle to Northcutt on third-and-seven and a good throw to Winslow on a short underneath route.
Referees were blowing the whistle on first contact, so it's possible some of the completions might have gone for more yards -- especially the ones to Winslow.
``We're not there yet,'' Winslow said. ``But we'll be there. It did feel good. Game setting... it was just good to be back.''
Brownies . . .
Nat Dorsey got the first set of plays with the first-team line at right tackle, but Kirk Chambers shared the snaps with the starters.... Linebacker Chaun Thompson limped off with a calf injury.... Touchdowns were scored by rookie Jerome Harrison and Jackson.... Rookie guard Isaac Sowells left with an ankle injury.... Northcutt had catches on the first possession of 18 and 14 yards, but dropped another pass.... Rookies who impressed the coach were Harrison, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and fullback Lawrence Vickers.... Receivers Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius dressed, but did not take part in the scrimmage.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/6/06

BROWNS

Droughns tries to block distractions

Sunday, August 06, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>MARK DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Browns running back Reuben Droughns faces a court date Aug. 21 on charges of domestic abuse. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


BEREA, Ohio—After watching Reuben Droughns the first two weeks of training camp, it would be hard to tell that he’s going through a whirlwind.
The Browns running back faces charges of domestic abuse, an expected court date of Aug. 21, and the chance of being suspended pending the outcome, all while fans want to know if he can repeat last year’s 1,000-yard season.
These are all questions Droughns will face leading up to the Sept. 10 season opener against the New Orleans Saints, but he remains undisturbed.
Droughns is staying loose, confident the legal process will play itself out while he focuses on the team.
"I leave that off-the-field stuff there," Droughns said. "It doesn’t even bother me. I’m more concentrating on the season. The off-the-field stuff is going to take care of itself, and I just have to concentrate on what I can take care of."
Droughns is having his second solid camp for the Browns. He beat out Lee Suggs and William Green for the starting job last year and became Cleveland’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 20 years.
This year, Droughns continues to run hard between the tackles and remains the starter as long as he stays on the field. He’ll miss a day of camp in two weeks to be in court in Colorado.
"I don’t think they’ve been a problem," coach Romeo Crennel said of Droughns’ legal troubles. "I know that he has to deal with them and I think he has one coming up this month — a court date, which he might have to miss a practice. For the most part, I think that he’s put them aside and is trying to concentrate on football."
Crennel said he would be happy if Droughns had another 1,000-yard season. Droughns believes he can get 1,500, but he laughed after that number rose to 1,600 yards.
Such feats could be difficult because Cleveland wants to find a back to spell Droughns on third downs.
The Browns couldn’t find a reliable backup in 2005. Droughns set a franchise record with 309 carries and wore down toward the end of the season, averaging just 43 yards rushing in his last three games.
Green struggled and played primarily on special teams. Suggs was injured and remains a candidate this year, and the team drafted fifth-rounder Jerome Harrison and signed rookie free agent Chris Barclay.
Droughns is financially secure after signing a three-year, $12 million contract extension this offseason.
But Droughns realizes every year is a new year and he doesn’t want to let up.
"You always want to have a great camp because you’re always in a competition," he said. "Just the fact that I have a new contract or whatever, that doesn’t really matter. You always have younger guys that are trying to come in and beat you out for your job."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

8/6/06

BROWNS
Jurevicius looks to be 'security blanket'

Native Clevelander knows how to fit into a team's system, and should give rookie QB Frye a solid target to hit.

By Sean McClelland
Staff Writer

BEREA | One popular theory says Joe Jurevicius is past his prime and that the Cleveland Browns might regret signing the receiver in free agency.

But he did catch 10 touchdown passes last season with the Seattle Seahawks and turned up in a third Super Bowl.

So, as Browns coach Romeo Crennel puts it in his charming way, "Joe's no slouch."

Is he the team's fastest receiver? No, but he might have the best hands.

And what quarterback can't use a 6-foot-5, 230-pound target in the red zone?

But he doesn't expect to be the No. 1 receiver once Braylon Edwards is 100 percent. His NFL experience, eight years of it, tells Jurevicius his skills translate better to a complementary role.

In Tampa, Keyshawn Johnson and Keenan McCardell were the marquee names, but Jurevicius still found holes in zones. In Seattle, Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram were primary threats, when healthy, and Jurevicius still scored all those touchdowns.

In his first seven seasons, Jurevicius had 13 TDs, so maybe he's just arriving at the peak of his career rather than beginning the inevitable descent. That's what the Browns prefer to think after lavishing riches on a native Clevelander who grew up rooting for his hometown team.

"I kind of look at myself as a security blanket," Jurevicius said. "I don't like being the guy that's out there in the spotlight. I like to be the guy who's out there and does his role and is there when things get tough."

Conquering adversity

Things were never tougher for Jurevicius than on March 24, 2003, when his 9-week-old son, Michael, died from sialidosis, a neurodegenerative disease.

He traces an "M" in the air before games and dedicates touchdowns to Michael by pointing to the heavens or tossing the ball skyward.

During the 2003 playoffs, Meagan Jurevicius gave birth to Michael, who was given 72 hours to live. Joe, then with Tampa Bay, became a national story as he missed practices to be with his family only to return to the team and star in games.

"I think the biggest thing to remember is that throughout that whole story, I was able to contribute to a team," Jurevicius said.

He was indeed part of a Super Bowl winner that year, catching four passes for 78 yards in the Buccaneers' win over Oakland.

In January, the "Michael" questions arose anew in Detroit with Jurevicius in the Super Bowl for a third time. He called his son "my X factor" and described how, when back home in Cleveland, he visits Michael's grave twice a day.

Comfort of home

Jurevicius grew up in suburban Mentor, east of Cleveland. As a freshman point guard, he was the only player on his Lake Catholic High School basketball team who could dunk. A stellar career at Penn State followed, then eight years with the Giants (who drafted him in the second round), Buccaneers and Seahawks.

There is comfort in being back home. The Browns, he says, will be his last stop.

"I could have gone a couple of places, but what was going to make me happy was coming back to Cleveland and playing for the Browns in front of my family and friends," Jurevicius said. "It's always going to be special."

Rather than his personal life and emotions, Jurvicius these days prefers discussing how good the Browns can be.

"I see a lot of positives," he said. "From what I've seen, I think this could be a special team."


Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or

[email protected]

DDN

8/6/06

BROWNS NOTES
Crennel voices disappointment with offense

By Sean McClelland
Staff Writer

BEREA | Coach Romeo Crennel expected better from his offense in Friday night's Cleveland Browns Stadium practice.

Better than a mistake-filled exercise that included an end-zone interception thrown by quarterback Charlie Frye, capping his only series.

So it was back to the training facility Saturday to right the wrongs and ready the team for the first preseason game Thursday night at Philadelphia.

"We threw interceptions (three), fumbled snaps, can't make field goals (Phil Dawson missed from 49 yards), and it's hard to win doing stuff like that," Crennel said. "We'll find out (Thursday) exactly where we are."

The Eagles will enjoy the benefit of having played in today's Hall of Fame Game against Oakland.

Defense meshing?

If the defense is ahead of the offense at this stage, it would come as no great surprise.

"Everybody's more comfortable with the system," said cornerback Gary Baxter. "We can't say everybody's new this year.

Everybody knows the ropes. It's not about waiting anymore. It's about getting it done."

Management is counting on players having a better grasp of Crennel's 3-4 scheme, especially after bringing in nose tackle Ted Washington and outside linebacker Willie McGinest. Both have played it for years.

"That was our first time going to the 3-4 (last season)," inside linebacker Andra Davis said, "and even though I said it was just football, that was a lie. It was totally different. Night and day. Now we have a better understanding."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

8/6/06

Don’t tell Charlie he can’t throw downfield

Sunday, August 6, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By STEVE DOERSCHUK[/FONT]


BEREA - It is said and even written that the new Cleveland quarterback’s arm lacks the proper zip.
Charlie Frye does not warm up to the topic.
“I threw that ball 66 yards in the air the other day,” the young gun from the University of Akron said. “So ... I don’t want to hear about that arm-strength thing.”
The Sporting News hires a “War Room” staff with college and NFL personnel experience to rank players for its annual Scouting Guide. This year’s edition pegs Frye as the league’s 39th-best quarterback, just behind Mark Brunell, Kelly Holcolmb and Kerry Collins, just ahead of Brooks Bollinger, Aaron Rodgers and Jon Kitna.
The “War Room” scouting summary calls Frye “a playmaker on the move” with “good touch and accuracy on short to intermediate throws.” Then comes the big but: “Has poor arm strength; lacks zip on all throws.”
The evaluation is based on Frye’s work late last season, when he was 2-3 as a rookie starter. It ignores his offseason strength training and how that manifested itself in spring drills and the early part of training camp.
Frye insists and coaches agree his arm is stronger. He has completed several bombs in Berea, notably hitting Dennis Northcutt in stride way down the field a few times.
But the “zip” issue will be out there until he plays more games.
For now, all the Browns’ new No. 1 QB has to go on is a week of camp and a stadium practice in which a touch counted as a tackle.
In the latter session, on Friday, Frye ran a 15-play stretch with the No. 1 offense.
Northcutt had two nice gains and was wide open for what should have been another, but he dropped the ball.
“Dennis and I have been clicking all camp,” Frye said. “I have a pretty good feel for him.”
Frye threw four times to tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., completing two of them.
“We really weren’t on the same page,” he said. “Get me and Kellen on the same page, we’re gonna do some good things.
“Kellen can catch a 5-yard pass and take it 50 yards. Kellen can break tackles.”
Tackling has been taboo so far. The real hitting starts in Thursday’s preseason opener at Philadelphia.
“You’ll get to see Kellen on Thursday,” Frye said, with meaningful inflection.
Browns fans can only wonder what they’ll see from Frye after the last three No. 1 quarterbacks of August — Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, Trent Dilfer — couldn’t help the franchise escape a 2003-05 record of 15-33.
Head Coach Romeo Crennel is reserving judgment on the latest QB hopeful.
“He was OK for the short time he was in there (Friday),” Crennel said. “He was OK until he threw that interception in the end zone.
“Red-zone interception ... that’s a big turnaround in a game. We should have at least 3 (points).”
Frye didn’t throw deep at all Friday. He sat out a two-minute drill and seemed to be nursing his right thumb afterward but dismissed any notion he won’t play at Philadelphia.
His overview of his work in front of more than 24,000 onlookers:
“We didn’t come out of the gate like we wanted after we had hit a lot of deep balls in practice. We made some plays, but ...
“The thing I noticed was, I know it’s practice and everything, but the game is just a lot slower. Last year at this time, things were just flying around. I didn’t know what to think. Now, I’m coming to the line of scrimmage with a plan. I mean, I feel real good.”
Frye’s offensive linemen seem to feel good about him.
Left tackle Kevin Shaffer, signed away from the Falcons in March, said Frye is more down to earth than Atlanta QB Michael Vick.
“We all had respect for Vick, and Vick had respect for us,” Shaffer said. “We didn’t hang out so much.
“Charlie? He’s just a hard worker trying to make a living. He’s showing us he’s a leader. He’s showing us he should be here.”
Phil Savage said he signed 31-year-old wideout Joe Jurevicius as “a calming presence” who “should pay real dividends in terms of our quarterback and overall offense.”
Running back Reuben Droughns thinks Jurevicius will be good for Frye.
“It does change the chemistry,” Droughns said. “Younger guys say, ‘Gimme the ball. I haven’t gotten enough balls.’
“Now you get a veteran like Joe telling the young guys, ‘Hey, when you do get the ball, do what you can with it.’ He’s not like ... arguing for the ball.
“Charlie’s a young guy. It’s gonna take all of us helping him out, me included. I need to be better than I was last season .... 1,200 yards is nothin’, really.”
Frye’s new center was really supposed to be something, but Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley got hurt and now can offer Frye only moral support. “Charlie is going to have to be good without me,” Bentley said. “He has all the intangibles you want in a leader. I’m excited to see what he does.” Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]


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Canton

8/6/06

‘War Room’ talent evaluators put several key Browns among nice company

Sunday, August 6, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BROWNS BEAT STEVE DOERSCHUK[/FONT]


The apathy is no longer overwhelming.
The LeCharles Bentley bummer notwithstanding, there’s some buzz about the Browns.
Funny what a coach who has earned widespread respect and a qualified general manager can do.
Nobody is going nuts over the Browns, mind you. They’ll be a local favorite and national afterthought until they throw an 11-5 into the expansion malaise.
But there’s a newfound inkling that the 2006 Browns won’t embarrass themselves. And nowhere is that reflected in more detail than in one of the more interesting preseason guides, a position-by-position player rating commissioned by The Sporting News, using experienced college and NFL personnel folks.
The rankings are one reflection the talent-starved Browns are gaining weight.
Reuben Droughns is ranked 18th among running backs, representing progress since the rise and fall of Ben Gay. The 19th through 23rd backs are Jamal Lewis, Cedric Benson, Domanick Davis, Corey Dillon and Fred Taylor. Funny how fast Lewis’ 500 yards in two games against Cleveland became ancient history.
Terrelle Smith is ranked 10th at a suddenly deep fullback position — and Romeo Crennel won’t stop talking about rookie fullback Lawrence Vickers.
Braylon Edwards might be months away from looking like a No. 3 overall draft talent, but he’s ranked 25th among all wide receivers. There are some “names” right behind him, Rod Smith, Donald Driver, Donte Stallworth, Muhsin Muhammad and Terry Glenn, Brian Finnernan, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and another Brown, Joe Jurevicius.
Last year’s 1,000-yard Browns receiver, current Cowboy Antonio Bryant, is 44th.
Jurevicius has had an odd camp, tinged by back spasms, but have you heard anyone say they’d send him back to Seattle if it meant keeping Bryant?
The following won’t make any Browns fan feel better about seeing Bentley on crutches: Sporting News moved him from 10th in 2005 to No. 1 in ’06 among centers. This won’t help, either: Bentley’s replacement, Bob Hallen, is listed as the 88th-best guard.
For what it’s worth, which is something since Jeff Faine will play for New Orleans when the Saints come to Cleveland on Sept. 10, the ex-Brown is ranked 12th among centers.
Sporting News doesn’t quite agree with Kellen Winslow Jr.’s assessment that 90 percent of K2 is better than every other tight end in A-1 shape. He’s diss-listed at No. 39. Even his teammate Steve Heiden is ranked 20 spots higher.
Charlie Frye sounds like he’ll be shocked out of his drawers if Winslow doesn’t make hay this fall. Many in Berea share Frye’s opinion.
Left tackle Kevin Shaffer laughs about his new role as a familiar stranger.
“Nobody on the Falcons knew anything about the Browns,” he says, “and vice versa.”
War Room scouts think they know something about Shaffer. He’s the No. 9-ranked offensive tackle, just a notch below Bengals Pro Bowler Willie Anderson, three spots ahead of Pittsburgh’s Marvel Smith.
Cosey Coleman ranks higher among guards (No. 32) than a respected Ravens veteran, Edwin Mulitalo, but the War Room loves Steeler guards Alan Faneca (No. 2) and Kendall Simmons (No. 17).
Former college rivals, Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Frye, aren’t close in the War Room quarterback rankings, Nos. 4 and 39, respectively.
However, the Browns’ best defensive end, Orpheus Roye (No. 18), is ranked four spots higher than the Steelers’ best defensive end, Aaron Smith. At the other end spot, Cleveland’s Alvin McKinley is No. 37, while Pittsburgh’s Brett Keisel is No. 52.
New Browns nose man Ted Washington is ranked a modest No. 47 among defensive tackles but is noted as having “a big impact on first and second downs,” which was the whole point of signing him. Washington is ranked three spots ahead of Warren Sapp.
The War Room sees Round 2 pick D’Qwell Jackson as this year’s best rookie inside linebacker, and the Browns don’t care what anyone says about rookie outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley. They think he’ll be a star.
Cleveland hasn’t been known for its starry NFL nights. The Browns have painted themselves so far off the radar they have been in the Monday showcase only once in seven years.
After a week of training camp, however, there is at least an inkling this season’s Sundays might not be so bad. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

8/7/06

Edwards goes through drills

Monday, August 7, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BROWNS NOTEBOOK STEVE DOERSCHUK[/FONT]


BEREA - Everyone knows Braylon Edwards has good DNA, looks pretty on slant routes, and can help the Browns if his continuing recovery from knee surgery goes well.
Not everyone is being realistic about how soon Edwards can help.
A big cheer went up from the training camp crowd Sunday when Edwards, ostensibly participating in his first team drill since blowing out a knee Dec. 4, made a nice catch.
Last year’s No. 3 overall draft pick ran an underneath route and was picked up by cornerback Gary Baxter. Charlie Frye zipped the ball in. Baxter broke, thinking he could intercept, but he just missed. Edwards had to reach out and catch the ball with his fingertips.
“That was nice,” Frye said. “It looked like he’d have broken the tackle and scored.”
But that was just the point. There was no tackling.
In fact, someone on the defensive line had set the tone just before the first snap of 11 on 11s, yelling, “Don’t be a hero with no pads.”
Head Coach Romeo Crennel explained why Edwards saw his first 11-on-11 action, on the 11th day of training camp:
“We didn’t have pads on. He’s been doing well against air. We decided to put a little more on his plate.”
Edwards won’t play in Thursday’s preseason opener at Philadelphia. It will be a surprise if he plays before the Aug. 31 preseason finale against the Bears. Even Edwards is wary about saying he can play in the Sept. 10 opener against the Saints.
Crennel’s cloudy forecast: “The program is to work him in slowly.”
Already tired of talking about his Jan. 3 surgery, Edwards told reporters they keep asking the same questions.
“The knee is feeling good,” he said. “Each day it feels better. It’s not swelling a lot. The doctors are confident with the progress.”
Frye and Edwards had a good thing going last year, making a fast-food commercial together, then, in Frye’s first NFL start, hooking up for five catches and two touchdowns against Jacksonville. In the fourth quarter, Edwards blew out an ACL.
“It was good to see him back in team drills,” Frye said. “He brings that extra spark.
“He keeps us loose. The main thing is, he catches balls.”
Meanwhile, Joe Jurevicius was back in team drills Sunday after missing some sessions with back spasms. Jurevicius might be the No. 1 wideout early in the season while Edwards makes his way back.
Jurevicius has had a choppy camp. He dropped a ball thrown right between the numbers on a sideline route Sunday.
Frye probably will play about one quarter at Philadelphia on Thursday, Crennel said.

HOFFMAN MOVE Simon Fraser’s emergence on the defensive line is one reason 2005 Round 6 pick Andrew Hoffman has been moved to offensive guard. Hoffman was a defensive lineman at Virginia. He spent 2005 on the practice squad. He becomes a “project” type who isn’t likely to help at guard before 2007. On one play Sunday, Hoffman ran upfield to run block on what was supposed to be a pass play. “Nice route,” a veteran cracked.
COMINGS AND GOINGS Veteran offensive lineman Todd Washington was only with team a few days before opting to retire over the weekend. To take his place, the Browns signed 26-year-old Mike Mabry, who was a seventh-round draft pick of the Ravens in 2003, when Browns GM Phil Savage worked for Baltimore. ... The Browns also have signed 27-year-old defensive back Ralph Brown, a fifth-round pick of the Giants in 2000. Brown was with the Vikings last year, appearing in all 16 games and making 16 tackles. He has experience as a nickel back and is insurance in case Daylon McCutcheon is slow in his recovery from last week’s arthroscopic knee surgery.
SOWELLS HURT Rookie Round 4 pick Isaac Sowells has suffered a notable setback. The former Indiana tackle was drafted with the thought he could be groomed as a starting guard for 2007. However, he sprained an ankle and is expected to be in an ankle boot for at least two weeks.
THOMPSON UPDATE Linebacker Chaun Thompson spent part of Sunday on an exercise bike. He did not practice in the wake of suffering a calf strain in Friday’s stadium practice. “He’s a little better,” Crennel said. “We’re playing it by ear.” Thompson’s injury gives rookie Round 2 pick D’Qwell Jackson a leg up in the battle for a starting inside linebacker job alongside Andra Davis. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail [email protected]


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/7/06

McManamon on the Browns

Browns don't inspire confidence

Low-energy scrimmage play recalls last year's shortcomings

By Patrick McManamon

<!-- begin body-content -->BEREA - One hates to put too much emotional energy into a scrimmage -- especially one without tackling -- but the Browns did not provide much reason for optimism in their intrasquad work at the stadium Friday night.
In fact, the Browns on offense looked like much the same team that struggled through a 6-10 season a year ago.
Take it piece by piece:
• The offensive line.
This is the group that was going to be so much more improved, but holes for the running game were not there.
Granted, the first team was only on the field for 17 plays and the more a team runs, the better it gets. But with LeCharles Bentley sidelined, the concern is that running inside might be tougher.
The evidence Friday was that running inside will be difficult.
The second-team defense clogged holes, and the first-team offensive line didn't open holes. There was no tackling and Reuben Droughns was whistled down at first contact so it's conceivable to think Droughns could have broken a few tackles.
But judging whether the holes are there isn't difficult, and they weren't.
• The passing game.
Showed the same inconsistency as a year ago. A good play followed by a bad play. A bad decision followed by a good decision.
Charlie Frye completed a couple of passes but should have had his first pass intercepted and threw a ridiculous end zone interception on his last.
Dennis Northcutt caught a couple of passes, but dropped another.
Granted, Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius did not take part, and they are the team's starting receivers.
But there might be times during the year when they will not play. Guys have to play.
They didn't Friday.
• The overall energy.
For some reason it was low. Maybe players are tired from camp. But camp has been taking place in 31 other cities in heat too, so come the regular season nobody is going to give the Browns a break because their camp was hot.
Players talked about having time to straighten things out and not worrying, but that's the same old routine that's been heard since 1999. At some point, people have to perform.
This also brings to mind what Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame tackle Joe Greene once said about players who shrug off preseason losses: ``They're the same guys who lose in the regular season.''
The early camp hype, before Bentley's injury, was that the Browns might contend for a .500 record and a playoff spot.
The reality after watching practice and a scrimmage indicates improvement will be difficult, and the record might not be much better than last season's, if at all -- especially when the overall quality of the AFC North is factored in.
It almost looks as if 2005 was a get-back-on-our-feet season and 2006 will be a build-a-foundation-for-2007 season.
As in... Get Frye more experience. Work Edwards and Kellen Winslow back. Continue to build an offensive line. Get Willie McGinest and Ted Washington to hang in for a season. Develop Kamerion Wimbley. Supplement in the offseason with more free agents and another draft. Then compete for real next year.
Wins would be great this season, but the real timetable to expect winning might start a year from now.
That, once again, asks a lot of the team's fans.
The search
Fred Nance is considered a longshot to be named the NFL's next commissioner.
But don't count him out.
That's because one of Nance's greatest skills is building consensus and standing between differing parties -- a requisite for the person hired to lead and massage the egos of the league's 32 owners.
Nance -- a partner in the Cleveland law firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey -- was a surprise inclusion on the list of five finalists to succeed Paul Tagliabue, but he's more than a worthy candidate, according to Browns owner Randy Lerner.
``I see him as far more than a legitimate candidate,'' Lerner said. ``I see him as a qualified, committed lawyer, leader, professional.
``I think he's proven it.''
Nance's main involvement with the Browns took place in '95 and '96, when Art Modell moved his team to Baltimore.
Nance was instrumental in representing the city of Cleveland and in keeping the Browns' history and colors in Cleveland.
His work earned him a lot of money, but Lerner said that work also should earn Nance the respect of fans.
``The Browns owe him a debt of gratitude,'' Lerner said. ``Indefinitely.''
Nance and the other four candidates -- league Chief Operating Officer Roger Goodell, league attorney Gregg Levy, Robert Reynolds (vice president of Fidelity Investments) and Mayo Shattuck (chairman of Constellation Energy) -- will spend a grueling day Tuesday in Chicago interviewing for the job.
At the end of Tuesday, owners will vote, with 22 needed to approve the new man to lead the NFL.
Most expect that Goodell, Tagalibue's top lieutenant, will be named commissioner.
Lerner said that doesn't mean Nance doesn't deserve a shot.
``He'd make a fabulous commissioner,'' Lerner said. ``He's totally qualified and he demonstrated his qualifications when he played such a huge role in bringing the Browns back.
``He's got leadership, tenacity. He's got a love of the impact that teams have on the community.
``He gets it.''
Brownies . . .
• If Lee Suggs is traded, don't discount the New York Jets as his future home. With Curtis Martin still out after offseason knee surgery, the Jets might need a back.
• The Browns seem committed to riding out the season with Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson backing up Frye. Apparently there's concern that bringing in a veteran (like Kerry Collins) might lead to fans clamoring for Frye to be replaced if he struggles. The Browns would rather ride out the rough times with Frye and help him develop.
• Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman ranked former Browns (and Lions and Cardinals and Vikings) defensive end Bubba Baker (one of the true nice, nice guys) as the ninth-best pass rusher in NFL history. Can't hurt business at Bubba Q's Barbecue in Avon.
• The Web site coldhardfootballfacts.com, which does a fair and honest evaluation of the NFL and its game, makes a compelling case that the hall of fame has a bias against defensive players. The site points out that two offensive players are inducted for one defender, and calls Warren Moon the poster child for offensive players inducted too soon. Makes for interesting reading.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/7/06

Browns can’t wait to play preseason game

Monday, August 07, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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BEREA, Ohio — After a lackluster scrimmage Friday night, Browns coach Romeo Crennel said the team had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time.
Cleveland began its short week on the clock yesterday as the team prepares for its first preseason game Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns will have three practices the next two days before traveling to Philadelphia.
The Browns had nearly two weeks of practices to unveil what they’ve accomplished thus far in training camp. That’s why Crennel was disappointed that not much good came out of the scrimmage.
There were turnovers, missed assignments, botched snaps and a general lack of energy. Crennel doesn’t expect the energy level to be a recurring problem in practice this week.
"I think they are anxious for a game with somebody other than themselves," he said. "I think they’ve gotten to a point where they know all the calls. The offense will try to check off to a play and the defense knows where the check is and where the play is going, so they get a little frustrated with that.
"But when they get to a game, the opponent will not know where the checks are, and we have a better chance of being successful."
There are several priorities the Browns want to emphasize in their first preseason game.
The first is to get starting quarterback Charlie Frye further acclimated to the offense. Frye took a day off practice to rest last Thursday and played one 15-play set in the scrimmage. He returned to practice for the first time in four days yesterday and will play "in the neighborhood" of one quarter against the Eagles, Crennel said.
The Browns also want to work on their timing and execution on offense, stopping the run and evaluating players.
"I think any time you go through a week of focusing on an opponent’s defense, focusing on an opponent’s offense, then going out and actually playing somebody besides the guys you see every day makes it a little more exciting," backup quarterback Ken Dorsey said. "It makes the intensity level pick up."
[email protected]

Dispatch

8/7/06

BROWNS NOTEBOOK
Northcutt’s example helps young players
Monday, August 07, 2006
Josh Moss
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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BEREA, Ohio — Practice already had ended yesterday, but receiver Dennis Northcutt stayed on the field catching balls fired from a machine.
"I’m a veteran. I know what it takes to get me ready," Northcutt said.
Northcutt, who is entering his seventh season with the Browns, has been on the team longer than any other receiver. That experience makes him a role model for young receivers such as rookie Travis Wilson.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Wilson can learn a lot from Northcutt by simply watching the veteran in practice and the classroom.
"(Northcutt) has leadership qualities that help you understand the game," Wilson said. "It’s just the little things, like watching how the defense is lined up and where to run your routes to get open easier."
And Northcutt will continue to help coach his teammates even if they get more playing time than him.
"Right now, I’m starting, so I’m just trying to provide a spark, make big plays and give us good field position," Northcutt said. "If a guy beats me out of a position, then he beat me out. It’s not in my nature to not help a guy when I know that I have experience and know what’s going on. I’ll do anything I can to help the youngsters."
Switching lines

After talking with Crennel,, defensive lineman Andrew Hoffman agreed to give right guard a shot.
"He looked good in the huddle," Crennel joked. "I know there was one time we had a play-action pass call and he ended up down the field. (Offensive lineman) Joe Andruzzi was talking to him and said, ‘Hoffman, you ran a good route that time.’ "
Working in Braylon

Receiver Braylon Edwards practiced during noncontact drills for the first time and caught a few passes over the middle.
"The program is to work (Edwards) in slowly," Crennel said. "He’s been doing pretty good with the routes against air, so we feel like that maybe we’d start giving him a little bit more individual stuff."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/8/06

Bum thumb burdens Frye

Injury probably affected his throws during scrimmage, Savage says

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal staff writer

<!-- begin body-content -->BEREA - It turns out that Charlie Frye was not 100 percent in Friday's scrimmage at the stadium, and it affected the way he threw.
General Manager Phil Savage said Frye was hampered by a sore thumb -- the result of hitting a helmet in Wednesday's practice.
``Obviously there were a couple balls he threw that (the sore thumb) had an effect (on),'' Savage said.
This explains the conversation Frye had with trainer Marty Lauzon and doctor Anthony Miniaci after his playing time ended. Frye also had been held out of Thursday's practice.
It also explains coach Romeo Crennel saying Frye was not injured, because the thumb did not keep Frye from playing but was the subject of the sideline ``conversation.''
``He has thrown the ball better this year,'' Savage said. ``I don't think he was 100 percent the other night. So I think people are questioning this, that or the other.
``And I think as we get into this, he's going to be fine.''
Savage and Crennel both are trying to deal with some realities with Frye, especially that as a second-year starter he needs as many plays and passes as he can get. Yet with no experienced backup behind him, the Browns also can't risk losing Frye.
``I think we've given Charlie a lot of practice time this offseason,'' Savage said. ``I think we're going to treat him just like he's any other starting quarterback.
``I don't think we'll play him out of the normal because we want to get him to the regular season -- ready, willing and able.''
That means Frye will get about one quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener Thursday. This decision follows Crennel's decision not to use Frye in the two-minute and red-zone drills with the first team at the stadium scrimmage -- a decision that seems curious given Frye's inexperience.
A veteran might be more able to sit out preseason games because he knows the team and the system, but Frye's time will match a veteran's, no matter that he lacks experience.
Crennel said he was going on his ``intuition'' in making those decisions.
``Really, that is what I have to go on,'' Crennel said. ``I gave Charlie what I wanted to give him on Friday night and he'll get what I want him to have during the preseason.
``We'll go to the regular season and see what happens.''
Crennel said he also has an obligation to the non-starters to give them a chance.
``If you go through the preseason without getting an evaluation on them, then you really don't know what you have,'' he said.
To that end, Savage is not judging backups Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson until he sees them in games.
``I think we've got to let things develop,'' Savage said. ``We're somewhat in the dog days of camp. The offense and the defense, they kind of know each other now. I think the games give you a more realistic picture of what we do have or don't have.''
Savage has resisted the urge to sign a veteran quarterback, in part because there aren't many out there. One option is Kerry Collins, but he did not play well against the Browns a year ago in Oakland and is not on the hot list.
Vinny Testaverde remains the most likely candidate should the team decide to bring in a veteran. Savage does not worry, though, that a veteran presence would affect Frye.
``I think if we brought anybody in, it would be with the mind-set that it would help the team,'' Savage said. ``I'm not worried about Charlie's psyche. I think we've made a commitment that he's the guy we want to see play the bulk of the games this year.''
The overriding concern in the front office is keeping Frye healthy this season so he can learn as much as he can.
The more Savage talks, the more it's evident that one of the main goals for 2006 is to help Frye grow.
``I was just telling the scouts last night that one of the important things for this season is to get through the year with him as our quarterback,'' Savage said. ``I think there's gonna be bumps in the road, but I think if the overall experience is a positive, then we'll be ahead of the game.''
Even if it means the Browns don't get to double-digit wins?
``Yeah,'' Savage said. ``That's what I would say. If we can break him in and be very competitive, that's got to be a step in the right direction.''
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ABJ

8/8/06

Browns notebook

Another center out with injury

Hallen's back hurting; Jackson to start at LB; Cribbs on second team

By Patrick McManamon

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->BEREA - Is center becoming a problem for the Browns?
Bob Hallen, who is playing for the injured LeCharles Bentley, missed the afternoon practice with an unspecified back injury.
Hallen was replaced by Alonzo Ephraim, who was signed July 29 after Bentley was lost for the season.
Ephraim played special teams for the Philadelphia Eagles last season and started three games at guard for the Miami Dolphins in 2004.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Hallen had a problem after the morning practice -- which he completed -- so the team advised him to stay inside to be examined.
Crennel did not provide details, except to say Hallen had back problems with the San Diego Chargers last season.
Jackson to start
Crennel was loathe to put Braylon Edwards on the field last season until he was convinced Edwards was ready.
Thursday night, Crennel will put a rookie in the starting lineup for the first exhibition game.
Second-round pick D'Qwell Jackson will start at inside linebacker, and though it's because of an injury to Chaun Thompson, it will provide Jackson an opportunity.
``We'll find out if we should keep giving him reps or not,'' Crennel said. ``See, that's the thing about this game. It's opportunity. Sometimes, guys never get opportunity, so they don't get to show as much. Sometimes they get the opportunity and they can show that they can play and deserve to play.
``If he can show that he can make plays and use his instincts like he did in college, then it will be a good story.''
The Browns traded up in the draft to get Jackson with the clear expectation that he would eventually be starting alongside Andra Davis.
Thompson had a chance to win the job, but last week rookie Leon Williams got some reps with the starters.
With the game approaching, it's Jackson's time.
``All I know is it's the first game and I haven't proven anything,'' he said. ``I want to show guys I hold myself accountable.''
Depth chart
The team released its first depth chart, and though many changes will take place, these were the intriguing elements:
• Joshua Cribbs as a second-team receiver, behind Dennis Northcutt. Presumably this will change when Braylon Edwards returns. Rookie Travis Wilson is listed as fourth team.
• Sean Jones as starter at safety ahead of Brodney Pool.
• Clifton Smith, who has been impressive in practice, backing up Davis at inside linebacker ahead of Williams.
• Thompson as starter at inside linebacker, with Mason Unck and Jackson behind him.
Veteran approach
Willie McGinest made his first appearance in front of the local media during camp and did not take kindly to the mentor role he's been cast playing.
``That's the role you guys threw out there to me,'' McGinest said.
Clearly, he wants to be considered a player, not a teacher.
Asked about Kamerion Wimbley and Jackson, McGinest said: ``I'm still playing too, man.''
McGinest brought a veteran's approach to his news conference and showed some knowledge of the Browns' past.
``It all starts with our division,'' he said. ``Pittsburgh -- they've been the bullies of our division for a long time. We have to change that where a team looks at you and they count you as a victory.
``All that has to change.''
Brownies . . .
Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards were held out of most of the morning's work, the typical pattern for two-a-days.... Winslow will get some playing time Thursday; Edwards will not.... Crennel said cornerback Gary Baxter tweaked his knee in practice and was held out as a precaution. Baxter said he was fine, but he did not practice in the afternoon.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

8/8/06

What does McGinest have left?

Tuesday, August 8, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Steve Doerschuk REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]



BEREA - Everyone agrees on key Willie McGinest points.
First, Pro Football Hall of Fame voters agree he is, at minimum, already worth debating as a candidate.
“It’s crossed my mind, and I’ve heard people talking about it,” McGinest said Monday, “but I’m still playing.
“When you start thinking about that kind of stuff, it’s time for you to hang it up. I’m still trying to make history.”
Second, McGinest brings instant leadership to a franchise whose rudder hasn’t been screwed on straight for seven years.
“I like Willie a lot,” Browns Coach Romeo Crennel says of his new outside linebacker.
Third, he’s a public relations dream, a sack-happy linebacker for three recent Super Bowl teams, a mature speaker who will let fans know him.
After his longest interview of training camp, in a group setting Monday, one writer exclaimed, “Willie McGinest was good.” No one disagreed.
As to the key McGinest point, however, who knows?
At 34, after 189 NFL games (18 in postseason), does he have enough left to pull the Browns up by the bootstraps?
Rookie linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, 22, seems to think so.
“He’s in shape,” Jackson said. “He takes care of his body. The guy can move.
“He jokes around like a little kid, but it’s obvious he’s been around. He knows everything the defense is doing, from the line to the back safety.”
WHAT CAN HE DO?
What does McGinest think he can do for the Browns?
“I have a lot of passion for the game,” he said. “When that passion leaves or my body tells me, then I’ll walk away. At this point, I’m dedicated 100 percent.
“I’m still trying to improve, show by example and go hard. I plan on outworking everybody I play against, whether it’s in the weight room, extra conditioning or watching film.
“These guys are coming in bigger, faster and stronger. You have stay one step ahead.”
The 6-foot-5, 268-pound McGinest is a good all-around 3-4 outside linebacker, with background as an end. His niche has been getting an edge on offensive tackles on third down. He has 94 sacks, including a record 16 in the postseason.
He was a defensive leader on the New England teams coordinated by Crennel that won three Super Bowls.
He worked for his rings, sacking Kurt Warner for a 16-yard loss in Super Bowl XXXVI, sacking Jake Delhomme in Super Bowl XXXVIII, and dumping Brian Westbrook for a 3-yard loss in Super Bowl XXXIX.
He set an NFL postseason record with 4.5 sacks against Jacksonville on Jan. 7.
Such experiences give him ideas on how the Browns can affect a turnaround.
“It’s not about how talented you are,” he said. “In one Super Bowl, St. Louis’ offense was a lot more talented than our defense. So, we were going to change the game and make them play our type.
“We have to develop the same attitude here. We are still rebuilding and bringing in players. We are going to play some teams who are more talented on paper.
“None of that means anything when you line up in between the hashes. If we can get everybody on the same page with the right state of mind, I think we’ll be all right.”
BATTLING THE STEELERS
The Browns were wrong in a 41-0 to Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve, but McGinest has a different view of the Steelers.
‘’In New England,” he said, “we used to whup their butts.”
The Browns hired McGinest and other free agents to help them stand up to the Steelers.
“Once we put on our helmets,” McGinest said, “there should be a switch that automatically turns on. I think Romeo and the coaching staff are doing a good job of bringing in those types of players.
“You see guys hustling to the ball and getting enthusiastic after a big play. Andra Davis is one of those ... and Ted (Washington). The fullback, Terrelle Smith is like that ... Kellen Winslow ... Braylon Edwards.”
McGinest laughs about being a mentor to first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley, a fellow outside linebacker.
“I’m still learning, too,” he said. He has leaned on second-year Brown Matt Stewart, another outside linebacker, to help absorb coordinator Todd Grantham’s nuances.
McGinest and Washington were New England teammates in the 2003 Super Bowl season.
“Ted is like two players playing in the middle,” McGinest said of the 365-pound nose tackle. “He makes our job as linebackers easier.”
How hard is it for Washington to bring his A game at age 38. Or for McGinest at 34?
“Like I told the guys when this camp started, veterans have to prove they can still do it,” Crennel said. “You start over, it’s a new year.
“The veterans, particularly guys who have been around as long as Willie and Ted, must show they can still do it.
“That’s the question. I don’t think anyone knows the answer.”
Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: [email protected]

The McGinest file
Born Dec. 11, 1971, in Long Beach, Calif.
College Wore No. 55 at Southern Cal in honor of Junior Seau ... Had 16 of his 29 career sacks as a junior.
Drafted In 1994 by the Patriots, (No. 4 overall). McGinest vs. Browns In a 1994 playoff game, sacked Vinny Testaverde and made eight tackles in a playoff loss at Cleveland. NFL highlights Forced a Dan Marino fumble and sacked Troy Aikman in helping Patriots to 1996 playoffs ... Made six tackles in Super Bowl loss to Green Bay, then went to first Pro Bowl ... Named Patriots co-captain in 2000 after Bill Belichick took over as head coach. ... Key man on each of three New England teams that won Super Bowls this decade


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Canton

8/8/06

Bronze busts, orange dreams

Tuesday, August 8, 2006


One view of the most likely candidates on the current Browns’ roster to someday be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
1, LB Willie McGinest. He’s first in NFL history with 16 postseason sacks and was a key man on three Super Bowl winners this decade.
2, C LeCharles Bentley. Tell him he won’t return to a Pro Bowl level at the risk of getting punched in the snout.
3, LB Kamerion Wimbley. Phil Savage comes close to sounding smug when he projects the rookie first-rounder’s future.
4, WR Braylon Edwards. He looks so pretty catching the ball. ESPN will promote him off the charts if he heals properly.
5, TE Kellen Winslow Jr. He wouldn’t be the first Kellen Winslow to get a bust.
6, DT Ted Washington. Two-down nose tackles are no superstars, but he has set a standard for 3-4 run pluggers.
7, QB Charlie Frye. Far-fetched, obviously, but isn’t it a nice dream, and don’t you like the gleam in his eye? STEVE DOERSCHUK

Canton

8/8/06

First Browns depth chart has some surprises

Tuesday, August 8, 2006


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BEREA - The Browns’ first depth chart is out. Watch where you step in wading through it.
The NFL requires each team to rank players at each position each week, starting the week of the first preseason game.
There were a few unexpected listings published by the Browns in advance of Thursday’s game at Philadelphia. Here’s a review of the surprises:
n Sean Jones is ahead of Brodney Pool in the battle of former Round 2 picks for the No. 1 strong safety job. Jones was a Butch Davis pick; Pool was a Phil Savage/Romeo Crennel pick.
n Rookie Round 3 pick Travis Wilson is basically listed as the No. 7 wide receiver. He has been making a move and has a chance to be on the field for many of the third downs when the season rolls around. Call this a 15-yard penalty for holding out for most of a week.
n Rookie Lawrence Vickers is listed as the No. 3 fullback. Vickers has been playing in a fashion that suggests he will suck playing time away from No. 1 fullback Terrelle Smith.
n Young veteran Mason Unck is listed ahead of rookie Round 2 pick D’Qwell Jackson at one inside linebacker spot, with Chaun Thompson listed as the starter. Jackson seems on course to open the season as the starter.
The depth chart exposes the big hole in the middle of the offensive line. The top backup at center is listed as undrafted rookie Rob Smith, but starter Bob Hallen suddenly has a back issue. The top backup at left guard is Atlas Herrion, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since leaving Alabama in 2004. The top backup at right guard is Dave Yovanovits, who has played in six NFL games (one start) since leaving Temple in 2003.
Who will back up 38-year-old nose tackle Ted Washington? The depth chart lists Ethan Kelley as the top backup, followed by J’Vonne Parker and rookie Round 6 pick Babatunde Oshinowo.
How will Crennel use the running backs who are supposed to take some of the load off starter Reuben Droughns? For now, William Green is listed as the No. 2 back, followed by Lee Suggs, Jason Wright and rookie Jerome Harrison.
When the season starts, it’s possible Harrison will get the most playing time after Droughns, based so far on showing a good burst as a third-down back in camp.

BAXTER HURTING Given Daylon McCutcheon’s arthroscopic surgery and Antonio Perkins’ hamstring problem, the last thing a thin cornerback group needed was to see Gary Baxter leave Monday morning’s practice. “He tweaked a knee in one of the drills,” Crennel said. “As a precaution, they took him out.” Baxter’s left knee was iced and wrapped on the field. He walked off saying, “I’m good, I’m good, I’m good,” indicating he wasn’t supposed to talk about it. Baxter suited up, but was confined to the exercise bike for the evening practice. However, Crennel said an MRI revealed no problem. “Gary told me he’s all right,” Crennel said Monday night.
THOMPSON UPDATE The calf injury Thompson suffered in Friday night’s stadium practice apparently isn’t serious. Thompson missed two more practices Monday but was on the exercise bike and was “a little better,” Crennel said.
RECEIVER UPDATE Both receiving stars-in-waiting did very little in the morning practice. Crennel said this is part of the plan to nurse Kellen Winslow Jr. and Braylon Edwards to the regular season without disrupting their progress from knee surgeries. “Rest ’em a little in the morning, let ’em go in the afternoon,” Crennel said. Crennel said Winslow is likely to play Thursday at Philadelphia. Edwards will not play.
BACKUP QB SEARCH Derek Anderson’s bid to catch up to No. 2 quarterback Ken Dorsey is taking a hit amid his continued trouble with holding on to snaps. Anderson bobbled another one in Monday morning’s practice, a snap from Smith. ... Undrafted quarterback Darrell Hackney of UAB has a very lively arm and has looked fairly good in camp. If Hackney gets in Thursday’s game, that will indicate he has a chance to move past Anderson.
CENTER OF ATTENTION Smith, the rookie center, might be partly to blame for some of Anderson’s trouble. “Rob is kind of like me,” Crennel said. “When he gets hot and sweaty, he perspires quite a bit, and sometimes, it drips on the ball. ... Still, it is the quarterback’s job to stay with the center and get control of the ball.”

FIRST BROWNS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR Dennis Northcutt, Joshua Cribbs, Brandon Rideau, Travis Wilson*, Brent Little*.
WR Joe Jurevicius, Braylon Edwards, Frisman Jackson, Kendrick Mosley*, Carlton Brewster*.
TE Kellen Winslow Jr., Steve Heiden, Darnell Dinkins, Paul Irons, John Owens.
QB Charlie Frye, Ken Dorsey, Derek Anderson, Lang Campbell*, Darrell Hackney*.
RB Reuben Droughns, William Green, Lee Suggs, Jason Wright, Jerome Harrison*, Chris Barclay*.
FB Terrelle Smith, Corey McIntyre, Lawrence Vickers*.
LT Kevin Shaffer, Nat Dorsey, Walter Stith*.
LG Joe Andruzzi, Atlas Herrion*, Isaac Sowells*.
C Bob Hallen, Rob Smith*, Alonzo Ephraim, Mike Mabry*.
RG Cosey Coleman, Dave Yovanovits, Andrew Hoffman*.
RT Kirk Chambers, Jonathan Dunn, Ryan Tucker (injured).

DEFENSE
LE Orpheus Roye, Simon Fraser, Darrell Campbell*, Ja’Warren Blair*.
NT Ted Washington, Ethan Kelley, J’Vonne Parker*, Babatunde Oshinowo*.
RE Alvin McKinley, Nick Eason, Ulrich Winkler*.
LOLB Willie McGinest, Justin Kurpeikis, Nick Speegle.
MLB Andra Davis, Clifton Smith*, Leon Williams*.
WLB Chaun Thompson, Mason Unck, D’Qwell Jackson*.
ROLB Matt Stewart, Kamerion Wimbley*, David McMillan, Kenny Kern*.
RCB Gary Baxter, Pete Hunter, James Thornton*, Ralph Brown, DeMario Minter (injured).
LCB Leigh Bodden, Antonio Perkins, Daven Holly*, Jereme Perry*, Daylon McCutcheon (injured).
SS Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, Shawn Mayer.
FS Brian Russell, Justin hamilton*, Andrew Pace*.

SPECIAL TEAMS
P Dave Zastudil, Kyle Basler.
K Phil Dawson, Jeff Chandler.
H Dave Zastudil.
PR Dennis Northcutt, Antonio Perkins.
KR Joshua Cribbs, Jerome Harrison*. LS Ryan Pontbriand, Steve Heiden. * rookie or first-year NFL player


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/8/06

BROWNS NOTEBOOK

Center goes down with back injury

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Josh Moss
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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BEREA, Ohio — The Browns suffered a serious blow at center in late July when they lost LeCharles Bentley for the season to a left knee injury.
Yesterday, center Bob Hallen hurt his back sometime during the afternoon. He practiced in the morning but was not on the field last night for the team’s second workout.
Rookie Rob Smith was listed behind Hallen on an unofficial depth chart released yesterday. At Tennessee last year, Smith volunteered to move from left guard to center when the Volunteers needed help at the position. Alonzo Ephraim, who signed as a free agent on July 29, is third on the depth chart.
"We’ll have to do our homework, see how (Smith and Ephraim) come along and go from there," coach Romeo Crennel said. "They’re competing now."
It is up to team doctors to make the call whether Hallen can play in the Browns’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.
Doctors also tended to defensive back Gary Baxter. Baxter tweaked his left knee during the morning practice and wore a wrap around it when he sat out evening drills.
"They did an MRI and didn’t find anything major," Crennel said. "Gary told me he’d be OK."
Fullback potential

Charlie Frye zipped passes to numerous receivers during practice. Fullback Terrelle Smith caught many of them out of the backfield.
"When they throw to me it’s because (the defense) backs their coverage up and I’m wide open," Smith said. "So when Charlie finds that coverage, he gets it to me."
Smith, entering his third year with the Browns, had 12 catches for 58 yards and one touchdown last season. As defenses dedicate more coverage to a healthy Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow this season, Smith could see his production increase.
"If the defense is taking away a lot of the down the field stuff, then the fullback is going to become a major part of your offense," backup quarterback Ken Dorsey said.
Line change

Following his second practice after agreeing to switch from defensive line to offensive line, Andrew Hoffman admitted the change was "hectic."
"There’s a lot to learn," Hoffman said. "It’s a lot more complicated than a 3-4 defense is. It’s just going to take a little learning curve."
Crennel said Hoffman has made the mental switch but added that it can take years for an offensive lineman "to get where you want him to be." In Cleveland’s first preseason game Thursday against Philadelphia, Crennel will limit Hoffman’s playing time.
"If (the defense is) doing a lot of blitzing and stuff like that, (Hoffman’s) probably not ready on the recognition and pickup of the blitzes," Crennel said. "But if they’re playing basic and we’re just running the ball, he can probably get some plays."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com (free)

8/8/06

McGinest Eager to Help Change Attitude.........


Scout.com (free)

8/8/06

OBR Q&A: With Safety Justin Hamilton...........


Scout.com (free)

8/8/06

The Vinny Testaverde watch continues..........

 

[Buckin' A]

Bob Hallen left camp for personal and medical reasons and may retire. Looks like it is something more seroius than his back injury. The Browns have aquired Ross Tucker from New England for an undisclosed draft pick. Looks like he'll be in the mix for center, although he is listed as a guard.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2543857