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Browns optimistic about Chudzinski's new offense
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007
BEREA: On the first day of offseason workouts, the definitive word was chaos.
The Browns' offense, under new coordinator Rob Chudzinski, did not resemble a professional unit. Adam Sandler's team in the remake of The Longest Yard might have given the Browns a run that day.
All through the spring, progress came in millimeters, not yards. Chudzinski said he thought it had evolved by the end of minicamp, but even in training camp, that was not obvious to the untrained eye.
In Saturday's 17-16 preseason victory over the Denver Broncos, the Browns finally looked in sync. Quarterback Charlie Frye and the previously touchdown-starved offense clicked during an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive on the first possession.
The Browns totaled 350 yards in the game, 196 in the first half, and are averaging 351.3 net yards going into Thursday's preseason finale at the Chicago Please see Browns, C5
Bears.
''From being out here since OTAs (organized team activities), you can actually see things are getting better with our shifts, motions and everything Chud's trying to put in,'' running back Jamal Lewis said. ''We're really coming together.''
Rookie left tackle Joe Thomas feels it, too.
''This was the first week we knew exactly what we were doing and were able to execute it,'' he said. ''We had a few drives in the first couple games where we'd go all the way down the field, then we'd have a mental error or a lapse before the snap with shifts and motions or in personnel. When you put in a whole new offense that has so much to it and is so complex, it takes a couple games to really understand it and be able to run it perfectly.''
Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who has seen his team score five offensive touchdowns in three preseason games, was not ready to say the worst is over.
''I'm not going to say we've turned the corner,'' he said. ''It's a long season, and we'll go week to week and see how we do.''
Lewis wasn't the only veteran who thinks the progress has been dramatic. Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, starting his 10th season, was equally optimistic.
''Right now we have some weapons in our arsenal,'' Jurevicius said. ''We're much more in tune with what our assignments are and how to get things done. That's all paying big dividends for us.''
Asked whether he could pinpoint when the chaos ended, Jurevicius said: ''It takes awhile. Nobody was familiar with the system. As we got a couple weeks into camp, things started making sense.
''If we start concentrating on crossing our T's and dotting our I's and we're putting up 300 yards a game, then we're doing something right. Keep believing and working on those little things and before you know it, we'll be fine.''
Status quo
Crennel said Frye would start against the Bears and that Derek Anderson would follow. As for rookie Brady Quinn and Ken Dorsey, he said, ''we'll see what the game situation dictates on the rest of the guys.''
Crennel wasn't ready to name the starting quarterback for the Sept. 9 opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
''I have an idea, but I don't know yet,'' Crennel said. ''I know it's an important position because he is, quote, the leader of the offense, and Charlie's been that for 18 weeks or whatever. But he understands the competition of this game and you've got to prove yourself every day. He's up for the challenge and he's ready to do that.''
Injury update
Those who won't play against the Bears: right tackle Kevin Shaffer, defensive lineman Orpheus Roye, left guard Eric Steinbach, cornerback Gary Baxter, fullback Lawrence Vickers, linebackers Andra Davis, Mason Unck and Willie McGinest, and strong safety Justin Hamilton. Shaffer suffered a concussion Saturday and did not practice. Roye (knee), Steinbach (knee) and Davis (ankle) returned to practice, participating in some individual drills and running on the side.
Brownies...
Waived on Monday were K Jesse Ainsworth; DBs Therrian Fontenot and Justin Sandy (injured); DE Orien Harris; WRs Mike Mason, Kendrick Mosley and Efrem Hill (injured); TE Buck Ortega; and FB J.R. Niklos (injured). Let go after being hurt
BEREA: On the first day of offseason workouts, the definitive word was chaos.
Get the full article here.
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