BEREA You watch rookie Kamerion Wimbley and wonder. Isn’t this the pass rusher Courtney Brown was supposed to be?

The knee-jerk answer: Absolutely.

It’s not just that Wimbley has a sack in each of the Browns’ last two preseason games. It’s the magic in his first step, his Gumby-like body bend, his red-hot burst.

You always got the idea Brown left his “A” game at the Combine.

Something about Wimbley’s look this preseason has fans buzzing.

Brown, the No. 1 overall pick in 2000, played the equivalent of three seasons during his injury-plagued five years with the Browns. He produced 16 sacks in 47 games.

Wimbley, the No. 12 overall pick in April, is all about shooting for 16 right now.

“You set goals,” Wimbley said after Tuesday’s practice. “Everybody who’s a rusher would like to get double digits.

“I’ll hopefully get a sack in every game. If that’s possible, of course you’ll be looking at some incredible stats.

“But ... really, I’m just going out doing my assignment.”

A sack a game would add up to 16. The Browns teamed for a league-low 23 sacks in 2005.

Drafting Wimbley spoke to that embarrassment, but Head Coach Romeo Crennel is all about “show me the money.”

The overall pass rush, he said, has made “a slight improvement.” He emphasized the word slight, adding, “I don’t think we’re putting fear in anyone’s hearts.”

There certainly are a lot of new bodies.

Nose tackle Jason Fisk, inside linebacker Ben Taylor and outside linebacker Kenard Lang were key men in last year’s front seven. They’re on other teams now.

Important additions include nose tackle Ted Washington, rookie inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, outside linebacker Willie McGinest and Wimbley.

The Browns will try to milk two or three seasons out of the NFL’s all-time postseason sacks leader, McGinest. Wimbley, meanwhile, is what Brown was intended to be in 2000, a projected cornerstone.

Don’t get Wimbley wrong when he talks about getting a sack a game. His delivery is self-effacing and somewhat reminiscent of Brown’s. Wimbley, though, is a good deal more flexible with his answers during interviews and not quite as quiet.

“I feel like I’m doing pretty good,” Wimbley said. “My speed is good. My body feels good. I’m doing a better job or reading offenses.

“When I watch film, I’ve made a couple mental errors. Nothing crazy that got us beat or anything like that .... nonetheless, errors that can get us beat down the road.”

Wimbley’s fellow rookie, Jackson, doesn’t envy Wimbley’s road, which covers a lot more than pass rushing.

“He played D-end at Florida State,” Jackson said. “Now, he’s playing outside backer. He’s learning little things, like dropping into pass coverage and knowing what a zone turn is compared to a man turn.

“I’ve heard it for years. A D-end never hears it in college. To make the progress he has made, my hat goes off. You can tell he’s a good kid.”

The Browns seem headed for a system where McGinest, Stewart and Wimbley will get fairly equal playing time at the two outside linebacker spots.

Seldom does Stewart’s name come up, but it should be remembered he had an strong 2005 preseason before a sprained knee fouled his first year as a Brown.

“Matt’s one of those sound guys who is not gonna get you beat,” Wimbley said. “Overall, he’s a pretty good football player.”

Crennel said Stewart is versatile and will be “a productive player.”

Stewart is a relatively young sixth-year pro who turns 27 on Thursday, when the Browns play host to Chicago.

On the other hand, the 34-year-old McGinest is a outside linebacking guru in Crennel’s 3-4 scheme — they won three Super Bowls together. Wimbley is slightly in awe, calling McGinest “definitely one of the best players that’s ever played the game.”

“He’s a charismatic guy,” Wimbley said. “A lot of people are drawn to him ... from every position.”

Wimbley, meanwhile, is the rookie who draws comparisons to Brown.

The early returns suggest he’ll provide more juice from a lesser first-round draft beginning.

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