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Rookies will come off the bench for Crennel |
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Written by JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
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Monday, 04 September 2006 |
 BEREA -- If a rookie is not faster than a speeding bullet, cannot leap buildings in a single bound or bend steel with his bare hands, he is not going to start for Romeo Crennel. This year's rookie crop was impressive in the preseason, but there is no Superman in the bunch. Practice for the season opener against the Saints Sunday gets serious starting today and when it does, Matt Stewart, not first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley, will line up as the right outside linebacker.
Second-round pick D'Qwell Jackson is in closer competition with Chaun Thompson at inside linebacker next to Andra Davis. Jackson, though, was out of position on the Bears' first touchdown Thursday and he gave up a long pass later in the game. He missed coverage on Lions running back Kevin Jones in the second preseason game and that turned unto a 4-yard touchdown pass.
''He was in my zone,'' Jackson said, referring to the touchdown. ''I should have turned around and flipped my hips. (Jeff) Garcia got the ball over me.
''You have to put a play like that behind you. No matter if it's a good play or a bad play you have to learn from it. The way you learn is doing it on the practice field. You have to always be alert and always be aware so when it comes to games it's much easier.''
Jackson bit on a fake by Bears' quarterback Rex Grossman Thursday. He was not the only one.
The Bears made it look as though the play was going to the left. Grossman rolled right and fired a pass 6 yards to tight end Desmond Clark for an easy touchdown.
Thompson is in his fourth season, but his first as an inside linebacker. His only start in preseason was against the Bills. He made three tackles.
''D'Qwell came out of the preseason well,'' Crennel said. ''Chaun Thompson did some things. We're going to have to make a final determination on who that guy is going to be. We feel good about both of them.''
Crennel's decision to start Stewart over Wimbley might seem more surprising than the choice he makes at inside linebacker.
Wimbley puts more pressure on the opposing quarterback than any player the Browns have had since Jamir Miller, yet he is not as steady against the run or defending the pass as Stewart is. Stewart made 11 tackles in the preseason. Wimbley made 12 tackles and had two sacks.
The first regular-season test for Wimbley is like a final exam -- Saints rookie Reggie Bush. Even though Stewart is starting, Crennel said Wimbley will get plenty of playing time.
''Any time you're a rookie, you're going to get tested,'' Wimbley said. ''You have to prove some things before teams would not come after you as much. I definitely think they'd come after me.
''Every down in practice I try to get better. Whenever the coaches feel like it's time for me to go in (as a starter), I'll be ready to contribute. If they call upon me I'll have the right mindset.''
Wimbley also wants to expand his game as a pass rusher. He zips low around the offensive tackle to get to the quarterback. He has not used a spin move or a swim move to get by the tackle.
''There are some things I can add,'' he said. ''It will come later on. You don't want to reveal everything right away. Guys are going to watch film and see some of the things I do. I'm going to have to come up with counters to what they do.''
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©The Morning Journal 2006 |
