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For the Browns, who stays and who goes |
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Written by Patrick McManamon; Beacon Journal Writer
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Friday, 25 August 2006 |
 BEREA, Ohio - Camp Turmoil ended Thursday, but Browns training camp in 2006 hasn't really been all that.
The Browns have had their issues, but they have centered on one position: center. Otherwise, the team probably feels pretty good about the way things went.
Camp broke with the Browns still looking at 21 of 22 starters being on the field on opening day Sept. 10 against the New Orleans Saints.
The one who won't is a big one, LeCharles Bentley, but the Browns have not had a camp like the Minnesota Vikings, who saw their top receiver arrested for DUI and their top draft pick blow out a knee.
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has made amazing progress in his comeback from knee surgery, tight end Kellen Winslow has been on the field every day and (aside from Bentley) injuries mainly have been limited to ones that affect preseason.
Each of the team's draft picks has done something to impress.
All told, that's not a bad camp for a team that some have said is cursed.
Usually one round of cuts has taken place by the end of camp, but that's not so this year.
It makes a team rundown a little more challenging, but not impossible:
Quarterback (will keep three).
Charlie Frye is entrenched as the starter. Though the addition of a veteran backup is always possible, there's no reason to think the Browns won't go with Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson behind Frye.
League research showed that this group is the most inexperienced in the league.
"Didn't take much research to know that," cracked General Manager Phil Savage.
Running back/fullback (six).
Reuben Droughns has been one of the team's top players of preseason (let's rank him third behind Leigh Bodden and Ted Washington), and Jerome Harrison has emerged as the change-of-pace back the team needs.
Coaches must decide between Lee Suggs and William Green as the backup to Droughns, and at this point Green has eight preseason carries for minus-1 yard.
At fullback, Terrelle Smith is the starter, but rookie Lawrence Vickers has been used in goal-line situations and Corey McIntyre could make the roster as a special teamer.
Receivers/tight end (eight or nine).
The Browns seem set at these spots, and the fast progress of Edwards has been one of the positives of camp. The top three receivers are Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Dennis Northcutt. Joshua Cribbs should make the team as a kickoff returner, Travis Wilson has draft-pick credentials and Frisman Jackson always seems to look good in camp.
Tight ends Kellen Winslow, Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins appear to be locks.
Offensive line (nine).
Four of the starting five are set, with Ross Tucker in the lead to start at center. Count on Ryan Tucker to start the opener. He has proven his toughness and grit over the years.
The backup center situation cleared up some Thursday when the Browns acquired Lennie Friedman from the Chicago Bears for a 2007 conditional draft choice. Friedman has played in 65 NFL games, including 32 starts at guard or center.
Neither backup tackle - Kirk Chambers or Nat Dorsey - has stepped forward. Alonzo Ephraim might be in the mix when he returns from a league-wide suspension, and any of a number of players could back up at guard. Isaac Sowells was a draft pick for that position.
Defensive line (seven).
Washington has provided strength and leadership inside. He leads not by talk, but by the way he practices and plays. He needs to stay healthy for the Browns to have an improved defense.
Orpheus Roye remains the ultimate pro, and Alvin McKinley will start at the other end.
Babatunde Oshinowo and Nick Eason appear to be in the lead for backup spots, with Simon Fraser and Ethan Kelley also in the mix.
Linebacker (eight or nine).
Could be the strength of the team, especially with Washington clogging the middle for Andra Davis.
D'Qwell Jackson is on target to start the opener, and Kamerion Wimbley has improved throughout camp. When Willie McGinest gets on the field for games, that quartet should be strong.
Matt Stewart and David McMillan appear to have roster spots, and Chaun Thompson is prominently in the mix as well.
That leaves quite a competition between guys like Leon Williams, Mason Unck, Clifton Smith and Nick Speegle.
Secondary (eight or nine).
The biggest question here is the health of Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon. Each insists he will play in the opener, but there's a possibility they could miss a game or two. Having both out makes corner a concern because none of the players behind them has stood out.
Bodden, though, has been outstanding from Day One of camp.
At safety, Brian Russell is the defense's quarterback, with Sean Jones ahead of Brodney Pool. Those three will make the team, with Justin Hamilton in the mix as a backup/special teamer.
Specialists.
No worries here with Phil Dawson kicking, Dave Zastudil punting and Ryan Pontbriand snapping.
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© 2006, Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio). |
