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Browns' offense shows life on Family Night

By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

POSTED: 10:29 p.m. EDT, Aug 01, 2008

CLEVELAND: For some of the Cleveland Browns, being on their home field in a Friday night practice proved enough to energize them and break the monotony of two-a-days in Berea.

Overall, coach Romeo Crennel called the practice at Browns Stadium a success, taking the chance to single out his offense for improving.

He will have plenty to go over between now and their return to the practice field Sunday, but what has become more clear is that Derek Anderson has a firm grip on the starting quarterback job. Anderson looked in control, confident and cool.

''I love it. I love it, Family Night, to have all of these people down here to give us a little bit of energy to get through this next week until we get to start playing a few games,'' Anderson said.

He and Braylon Edwards connected on a number of plays, including Edward's spectacular diving grab for 47 yards. It's also evident Anderson is developing some much-needed chemistry with receiver Donte Stallworth, as the passer looked to him more than once when in trouble.

Edwards said the appearance at the stadium was just what the team needed.

''The biggest thing this did for us is we're taking reps in practice. We take one, two, three in a row, we break a little bit and we come back,'' he said. ''To come out here and take nine, 10, 11, 12 reps in a row, to get fatigued and have to fight through it, was good for us.''

Second-year quarterback Brady Quinn didn't look as sharp. While accuracy proved to be a problem, he moved the team on one drive, only to toss an ill-advised pass that cornerback Eric Wright picked off. On a subsequent drive, Quinn and the second-team offense came up short.

Crennel said that Friday night represented a good start, but the team isn't where it needs to be offensively and with respect to conditioning.

''The offense showed some efficiency, a little bit more than they had been showing, during the course of practice. It's a good sign that they're coming together,'' Crennel said.

Wide-eyed view

Cleveland football fans gave rookie linebacker Beau Bell his baptism into the cult of Cleveland football with 26,108 screaming fans. Considering Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas seats 36,800 for games, it proved a bit shocking to him.

''To hear the crowd around me, this is real exciting — and it's not full. I was really blown away,'' Bell said. ''I was really in awe. I was proud to be a Cleveland Brown.

''They told me this was a football town, and they proved it right here. This was just a practice. I can't wait until the games.''

Injury report

Kellen Winslow and Joshua Cribbs didn't get a lot of work because of sore hamstrings. Defensive back Gary Baxter sat out with a sore knee.

CLEVELAND: For some of the Cleveland Browns, being on their home field in a Friday night practice proved enough to energize them and break the monotony of two-a-days in Berea.

Overall, coach Romeo Crennel called the practice at Browns Stadium a success, taking the chance to single out his offense for improving.

He will have plenty to go over between now and their return to the practice field Sunday, but what has become more clear is that Derek Anderson has a firm grip on the starting quarterback job. Anderson looked in control, confident and cool.

''I love it. I love it, Family Night, to have all of these people down here to give us a little bit of energy to get through this next week until we get to start playing a few games,'' Anderson said.

He and Braylon Edwards connected on a number of plays, including Edward's spectacular diving grab for 47 yards. It's also evident Anderson is developing some much-needed chemistry with receiver Donte Stallworth, as the passer looked to him more than once when in trouble.

Edwards said the appearance at the stadium was just what the team needed.

''The biggest thing this did for us is we're taking reps in practice. We take one, two, three in a row, we break a little bit and we come back,'' he said. ''To come out here and take nine, 10, 11, 12 reps in a row, to get fatigued and have to fight through it, was good for us.''

Second-year quarterback Brady Quinn didn't look as sharp. While accuracy proved to be a problem, he moved the team on one drive, only to toss an ill-advised pass that cornerback Eric Wright picked off. On a subsequent drive, Quinn and the second-team offense came up short.

Crennel said that Friday night represented a good start, but the team isn't where it needs to be offensively and with respect to conditioning.

''The offense showed some efficiency, a little bit more than they had been showing, during the course of practice. It's a good sign that they're coming together,'' Crennel said.

Wide-eyed view

Cleveland football fans gave rookie linebacker Beau Bell his baptism into the cult of Cleveland football with 26,108 screaming fans. Considering Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas seats 36,800 for games, it proved a bit shocking to him.

''To hear the crowd around me, this is real exciting — and it's not full. I was really blown away,'' Bell said. ''I was really in awe. I was proud to be a Cleveland Brown.

''They told me this was a football town, and they proved it right here. This was just a practice. I can't wait until the games.''

Injury report

Kellen Winslow and Joshua Cribbs didn't get a lot of work because of sore hamstrings. Defensive back Gary Baxter sat out with a sore knee.

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