Concussion over-reaction could change game, Bowens says

Browns linebacker David Bowens isn't sure what the league should do next in its heightened stage of concussion awareness. But the 11-year veteran worried Thursday that changes would ''take away from the integrity of the sport.''

''This is a contact sport and that's why we have helmets on,'' Bowens said. ''I think if they had better testing to find out which helmets would prevent those type of injuries, that could be a step. They've already taken away so many aggressive moves that basically it's going to get where you can't hit anybody. It's going to be flag football."

Browns backup quarterback Derek Anderson had a concussion during the 2008 preseason that left him foggy for weeks, he said.

''The definition of a concussion, I guarantee everybody in here has probably had one,'' Anderson said. ''But did you black out or were unconscious, that's a different story. That's the nature of the business.''

The Browns placed running back Jamal Lewis and free safety Brodney Pool on
injured reserve Wednesday with concussions, Lewis's ending his 10-year career. He had already announced this season would be his last.