BROWNS AT EAGLES

Tonight, 7:30

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

TV Channel 3

PHILADELPHIA - Go east, young man. Go back to the coast where your vision of NFL gold seemed real.

Heading into tonight’s preseason opener at Philadelphia, William Green embraced the concept.

“I still have the same mindset,” Green said. “I still feel like I’m the man. Any time I’m in the game, I feel like there’s nobody out there better than me. That’s just how it is.”

That’s not how it has been.

Here in “The City of Brotherly Love,” dog-eat-dog is the rule of thumb for Green’s quest to revive his career.

It has been more than four years since Butch Davis drafted Green at No. 16 overall, preferring the Boston College workhorse to his former Miami safety, Ed Reed.

Still only 26 but seeming older, Green is coming off a 20-carry, 78-yard season that completed his journey to the land Mel Kiper forgot.

Tonight, however, Green figures to get at least one quarter to reveal clues he has untapped talent, and is more than the fellow who faded badly after Davis left the team.

In the first game after Davis quit, Green rushed 12 times for 15 yards against Romeo Crennel’s New England defense. A week later, he rushed 11 times for 5 yards at Buffalo. Soon after the season, Phil Savage began trying to trade him.

Green stuck around for the 2005 season, but he never came close to winning the No. 1 back job, didn’t play much, and lost time amid an ankle injury.

Now what?

“Will Green looks basically the same as he did last year when I saw him in practice,” Crennel said. “I was impressed with his work habits and how he went about doing things.

“I think the thing he needs most is opportunity. If we can give him some opportunity to show what he has, and what he has left, I think some of that will come out.”

Crennel wants a strong Plan B for his backfield, knowing the league-wide injury history at the position. The Steelers, for example, kept making hay the last two years despite injuries to Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis.

Green, who has 2,109 career rushing yards for the Browns, seems to be keeping his spirits up. He has looked sharp in practice, albeit in the absence of tackling. His teammates seem to like him.

“I feel good,” Green said. “The biggest difference is it’s the second year in the system. I know the plays. I know what to expect out of the offensive linemen.

“I have no idea what’s gonna happen.”

“As always, even when I’m on the practice field, I give 110 percent. I try to show the coaches I’m reliable and can get the job done.”

Crennel said his Browns want to take a long look at both Green and Lee Suggs tonight. Coaches want to see who shapes up as a better top backup to 1,232-yard rusher Reuben Droughns.

“If (Green) shows enough, then he’ll get more opportunities going down the road,” Crennel said. “If he doesn’t show enough, then Suggs will get more opportunity.

“Last year, going in, we didn’t know who our running back was going to be. We knew we had three pretty good runners. Reuben is, right now, the running back. Those other guys are trying to get some playing time and prove they can still carry the ball.”

Droughns signed a contract extension in the offseason. Suggs is signed through 2007. Green can be a free agent next March.

Green still looks the part, with good size and speed. He impressed coaches with offseason weight-lifting competitions against new center LeCharles Bentley.

However, he’s long since been ejected from the driver’s seat in which first-round picks begin their pro careers.

“They treat me like they treat every other player out here,” Green said. “We all have to come out here and work.

“I can’t predict the future, how many carries, how many yards.

“I’m gonna keep playing as long as the good Lord allows me to play. I’ll run ’til the wheels fall off.”

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Key position battles to watch tonight

Center

It’s as if the Browns sent a shotgun snap into the Bermuda Triangle, losing LeCharles Bentley and Bob Hallen before camp was two weeks old. Now, Dolphins castoff Alonzo Ephraim and Bills castoff Ross Tucker figure to fight for the job. Tucker spent one game with the Patriots last December and came in a trade Tuesday.

Third-down back

Lee Suggs has added weight and muscle to improve his durability, but will that cost him quickness? Romeo Crennel says Suggs has “a toe up” on rookie Jerome Harrison, who has quickness to burn and seems to have pleased Crennel.

No. 2 quarterback

Second-year pro Derek Anderson has a big arm but has dug an unhealthy hole by failing to hold on to practice snaps. Ex-49ers QB Ken Dorsey, though, has had accuracy problems, leaving the door open for Anderson.

Outside linebacker

Incumbent Matt Stewart is quietly competent and has an edge on rookie first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley. Wimbley is learning quickly, though. Ideally, Stewart, Wimbley and mainstay Willie McGinest will form a strong trio to rotate in the two outside spots.