DaytonDailyNews.com

BEREA — He was $49 million well-spent. The surging Cleveland Browns will tell you this about left guard Eric Steinbach without hesitation.

And so will Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, whose team let Steinbach go in free agency and has tumbled to 5-9 this season.

"We miss him a lot," Palmer said Wednesday on a conference call with Cleveland reporters. "He was probably the most productive offensive lineman we had.

"From our standpoint, we definitely didn't want to see him go anywhere inside the division. You knew he was going to make another team better. It was tough to see him go, especially to our big, in-state rival."

The Browns can clinch a playoff spot Sunday in Paul Brown Stadium, but Steinbach isn't the only ex-Bengal they are counting on. Defensive lineman Shaun Smith has been part of a gradual resurgence on his side of the ball.

Smith had been a restricted free agent, meaning the Bengals could have matched the Browns' offer and kept him with the stroke of a pen. "He's developing into a good player for us at two positions," head coach Romeo Crennel said.

Originally a backup to nose tackle Ted Washington and left end Orpheus Roye, Smith is much more than that now with Washington out for the season and Roye's surgically repaired knee not always cooperating.

After Week 7, the Browns were allowing an NFL-worst 413 yards per game. Since Washington went on injured reserve and Smith became more involved, the Browns have shaved that figure to 378, still last in the league but improving steadily.

Part of what the Browns like about both former Bengals is how they have meshed with their respective position groups. One of the more demonstrative Browns, Smith heartily celebrates good plays and keeps teammates loose with streams of chatter.

Steinbach fits like a glove next to rookie tackle Joe Thomas, another Pro Bowl alternate.

"We've had good chemistry right from training camp," Thomas said. "It's been a key to our success."

Winslow not sulking

Yes, he was passed over for the Pro Bowl, but Browns tight end Kellen Winslow seems to be putting any disappointment aside. "I kind of knew that was going to happen," he said.

Winslow is a first alternate, along with quarterback Derek Anderson, guard Eric Steinbach and tackle Joe Thomas. As long as San Diego's Antonio Gates and Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez are around, Winslow might have a tough time getting to Hawaii.

"We're winning," he said. "As long as we're winning, it's fine. I'm sure my time will come."

Injury report

Several defensive starters for Cleveland did not practice Wednesday, including linebacker Antwan Peek (ankle), who sat out Sunday's game. Linemen Shaun Smith (back), Robaire Smith (back) and Orpheus Roye (knee) also were limited.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.