Monday PM Aug. 3: Hubbard's Day

Second-year receiver Paul Hubbard, a sixth-round pick from Wisconsin, showed he wants to be considered in the mix for the No. 2 wide receiver job with his best day as a Brown.

After a great catch in the morning session, snatching a Brady Quinn pass out of the air on a crossing route, Hubbard followed it up with four good catches in the evening, one in individual drills.

Hubbard's best of the night was his last, when he hauled in a bomb from quarterback Richard Bartel and fell to the ground despite double coverage from Nick Sorensen and Gerard Lawson. A few minutes before that, Hubbard draw applause (the only clapping heard in the first five practices) for a good catch from Derek Anderson. He also pulled in an Anderson throw for about 20 yards.

On the other hand: Receiver Syndric Steptoe took a step back. The second-year man from Arizona dropped four passes, three within minutes. Three of those were thrown by Anderson, two on crossing routes, one by Quinn. Rod Hood and Hamza Abdullah were defending on the latter, a bomb.

Defensive star: Abram Elam, an ex-New York Jet and Kent State product slated to take over at strong safety, picked off two passes in the evening. His first came on a trick play (sorry, I can't give more details). On the second, he leaped for a Quinn pass overthrown for tight end Aaron Walker.

Who's not practicing: Linebacker David Bowens joined Braylon Edwards and Shaun Rogers on the bikes.
Cornerback Eric Wright (hamstring) returned after missing part of the morning session.

Good sign: Anderson had some problems with snaps from rookie center Alex Mack during one stretch, but gave Mack an encouraging pat after their series ended.