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Little drama at this year's Browns camp?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
BEREA — The Cleveland Browns training camp that kicks off with its first open practice Wednesday, July 23, is like none in recent memory.
There's no quarterback controversy, no scramble to field five healthy offensive linemen, no high-round draft pick holdout to occupy the headlines.
Coach Romeo Crennel won't be presiding over any coin tosses to decide starting positions. Most, if not all, are fairly obvious.
"Really, the biggest questions we're going to face is sorting our (roster) numbers," General Manager Phil Savage said.
"Will we keep five or six defensive linemen, five or six receivers, three or four tight ends, nine or 10 linebackers."
It's a sign of the team's growth.
Having been tabbed by the NFL as a team to watch in 2008, the Browns will have to adjust to high expectations and newfound notoriety.
Its training camp will be a popular destination among national football media.
The big issues as camp opens are health and acquiring a veteran cornerback.
Receiver Joe Jurevicius and offensive lineman Ryan Tucker will begin camp nursing injuries. Jurevicius could miss all of preseason — and some regular-season games — after needing a third surgical procedure this month to clean out a staph infection in his right knee. Tucker is expected to be ready sometime in August after having hip surgery in June.
As for cornerback, Savage has to decide how long to wait for a veteran to become available. He can trade for one or sign one released from another team.
FOUR KEY BATTLES
1. No. 3 wide receiver
Up for it: Josh Cribbs (right), Kevin Kasper, Travis Wilson, Paul Hubbard (rookie), Syndric Steptoe, Steve Sanders.
Analysis: Joe Jurevicius was third in the NFL last season with 29 receptions on third downs (Kellen Winslow had 24, Braylon Edwards 19), so this is a critical role to fill until he returns. Cribbs really is a specialty player and may not be an official candidate for the full-time job. He's more of an insurance policy if nobody steps forward.
After two disappointing years, Wilson needs a good camp to make the team. Hubbard was drafted for his size (6-2 and 225 pounds). He is still learning the position after walking on to the Wisconsin football team as a track athlete. Steptoe and Sanders have the benefit of learning the offense on the practice squad last year.
2. No. 4 cornerback
Options: Jereme Perry, A.J. Davis, Mil'von James (r), Gerard Lawson (r).
Analysis: The first two weeks of this battle may determine whether the Browns overpay in a trade for a cornerback or wait for scraps from roster cuts. Perry has a big edge because he's the only one who has appeared in an NFL game. He played in 12 games for the Browns in 2006 and actually preserved a win in Atlanta.
3. Backup defensive linemen
The choices: Louis Leonard, Melila Purcell, Chase Pittman, Ahtyba Rubin (r).
Analysis: A maximum of two spots are available behind Corey Williams, Shaun Rogers, Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith. Rubin might be the only natural nose tackle on the roster and was championed by several team scouts prior to the draft. His presence means Leonard needs a big camp to win a roster spot. Purcell and Pittman were late-round picks in 2007.
4. Nos. 3 and 4 tight ends
Candidates: Martin Rucker (r), Darnell Dinkins, Kolomona Kapanui (r), Brad Cieslak.
Analysis: Rucker would have to bust out not to make the final roster. Keeping a fourth tight end is probable, but not guaranteed.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
1. Donte' Stallworth, receiver
Grossi's take: He was miscast early in his career as a No. 1 receiver. Here, coaches expect him to be a plus in yards after catch — something the Browns weren't particularly good at last year.
2. Beau Bell, inside linebacker
Grossi's take: The fourth-round draft pick from Nevada-Las Vegas is expected to be an immediate core player on special teams. How soon he contributes on defense is a mystery.
3. Alex Hall, pass rusher
Grossi's take: The seventh-round pick is trying to jump from Division II college football to the NFL. There's a spot for him if he can rush the passer like he did at St. Augustine College.
4. Travis Thomas and Austin Scott, running backs
Grossi's take: One of these two undrafted free agents will stick on the practice squad and be groomed as a candidate to succeed Lewis down the road.
