 BEREA -- Braylon Edwards has been standing on the sideline and rehabbing long enough. If the final decision is his -- it isn't -- he will play against the Bills Saturday night. Edwards made a strong case yesterday for playing in the third preseason game. He participated in the morning practice in full pads and the afternoon practice in shoulder pads and shorts. He jumped, cut, caught the ball with one hand and showed no sign his surgically repaired right knee is bothering him. The morning workout marked the first time this camp Edwards was in full pads 11 on 11. Appropriately, it was the final day of double practices. The Browns have been bringing Edwards along slowly but steadily since surgery Jan. 3 to repair his torn right ACL.
''If it's up to me, yeah, I want to play,'' Edwards said. ''But it's not up to me. It's up to Doc (Dr. Anthony Miniaci).'' Edwards made one spectacular catch after another in the evening practice. The highlight was him outjumping linebacker Andra Davis, tipping the ball and coming down with it.
As excited as Edwards is about the possibility of playing, even if only for a handful of plays, coach Romeo Crennel continues to be cautious.
''We'll have to see how the practice week goes,'' Crennel said. ''If the week goes well and he's feeling good, we might have to give him one or two reps to see if he can move around against some different competition.
''He's making good progress. The game is always different. Your teammates know what your issues are, but your opponent doesn't care what the issues are. We're being conservative. We'll give him a few reps when we think he's ready.''
Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Bills, has an artificial surface known as AstroPlay. That factor alone might be enough to delay Edwards' 2006 debut.
Droughns trial in 2007
Reuben Droughns' trial for domestic violence was set for Feb. 5, 2007 after he pleaded not guilty yesterday during a pretrial conference in Littleton, Colo.
Pushing the trial to next year means it will not interrupt Droughns playing in 2006. It is the outcome the Browns running back hoped for when he left Cleveland Sunday night. He missed two practices yesterday but is expected back on the field for a 2:30 p.m. practice today.
Droughns was not offered a plea agreement by the District Attorney. Spokesman for the prosecutor's office Kathleen Walsh said there is no plan to drop charges.
Droughns had an altercation with his wife Kellie Droughns in their Centennial, Colo., home on May 12 and was charged with two counts of harassment and one count of assault. He faces up to 2 1/2 years in prison if convicted on all three counts and suspension by the NFL for part of the 2007 season if he is convicted on any of the three counts.
''The District Attorney believes there is enough material to go forward with this case,'' Walsh said.
It's over for 2006
The final of seven two-a-day practices concluded at roughly 7:25 p.m. yesterday with the defense doing a set of pushups for having only 10 men on the field for a play.
Earlier in camp, the defense and then the offense a couple days later had to run a lap for having only 10 on the field.
McGinest speaks
Reluctantly, it seemed, linebacker Willie McGinest talked to reporters yesterday about practicing but not playing in either of the first two preseason games.
''I would (play against the Bills), but I want to play when I'm ready,'' he said. ''It's just a matter where I get better. I've been a veteran for 13 years and I'm still learning. I'm getting my reads and I'm getting stronger. Everything is getting better day to day. I don't understand what the state of emergency is.
''I don't know when I'm coming back. It could be this week, next week, or Sept. 10. When the coaches and doctors feel comfortable, I'll be back.''
McGinest had left elbow surgery in early June. His situation is not unlike that of Edwards. The Browns, however, never said McGinest would not play against the Eagles in the preseason opener until two days before the game. The announcement of him not playing against the Lions also came late.
Getting healthier
Daylon McCutcheon has heard the talk he might not be ready for the opener. McCutcheon says he'll be fine.
''I'm not going to push it to play in a preseason game,'' McCutcheon said. ''I'll be ready for the first game. That's what I'm shooting for.''
McCutcheon would be the nickel back.
Gary Baxter is racing the clock rehabbing from a pectoral strain. He expects to start at right cornerback in the opener.
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