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Heiden among Browns adjusting to new positions without complaint
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
BEREA: Tight end Steve Heiden need only step on the scale to measure what he's sacrificed for the 2007 Browns.
One of the longest-tenured players with six years in Cleveland, Heiden put on 10 to 12 pounds so he would be better suited for his role as a blocker this season.
After catching 156 passes in his eight-year career, 142 with the Browns, Heiden noticed in training camp that Kellen Winslow had recovered from off-season microfracture surgery on his right knee. Heiden realized that new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski was going to feature Winslow in his attack.
Heiden knew that meant it was time to beef up.
''It is different. I haven't caught this few balls since I was in San Diego,'' Heiden said last week. ''But I haven't won this many games since '02, either.
''If you're winning, you'd better shut your mouth because the ship is going in the right direction. It's a lot more fun to go in that locker room
and be smiling than it is to be ticked off and catch 10 balls.''
This year Heiden has caught just 11 passes for 89 yards and no touchdowns, his first scoreless season since 2003, while Winslow has 78 receptions for 1,044 yards. Heiden has also been a key blocker on special teams, helping kickoff returner Joshua Cribbs make his first Pro Bowl.
But the Browns (9-6) could capture their first AFC wild-card playoff berth in five years Sunday if the Tennessee Titans lose to the Indianapolis Colts. Going into the season finale at home against the San Francisco 49ers, the Browns have already matched their best victory total in the expansion era and they could set a franchise record for most home wins if they get No. 7 against the 49ers.
Heiden is not the only Browns player who has taken on a less glamorous task this season and accepted it willingly. After left tackle Joe Thomas was drafted with the third overall pick, Kevin Shaffer switched to the right side. Initially unhappy, Shaffer now says he's ''playing better than last year.''
Ryan Tucker, who has played right tackle for 10 years, took over at right guard when the Browns lost Seth McKinney to a season-ending shoulder injury after eight games. Tucker now says his new position fits his physical style.
''Nobody's complaining. You do what's asked of you,'' Tucker said. ''Everybody understands their role. Nobody's got a big ego and says, 'I should be here, I should be doing this or that.' Everybody plays a part in this team, whether you're a starter or a backup, and that's what's nice about it.''
Browns coach Romeo Crennel knows how important it has been that Heiden, Tucker and Shaffer accepted the changes so willingly.
''To be a team, everybody has to sacrifice something,'' Crennel said. ''Even though you might want the ball every time it's thrown, you understand it's not going to come to you every time. As long as the team is moving and the team is winning, you can still feel good about your contribution. I think those guys have gotten to that point.''
Crennel said he never had to sit Heiden down and explain he would have to be a blocker this season.
''He's got a great attitude. He's a good team guy,'' Crennel said.
''The team concept for me has always been there,'' Heiden said. ''I've always done what they asked me to do. That's part of being in the NFL. With Kellen on your team, he's going to be the guy catching all the balls. That doesn't bother me one bit.''
Heiden joked that ''they still throw it to me once every other game.'' He appreciated the game ball he received for the Dec. 16 victory over the Buffalo Bills even though he conceded, ''I got it with the O-linemen.''
Getting to know those linemen, Heiden admires what Shaffer and Tucker have done.
''I haven't heard one complaint,'' he said. ''Those offensive linemen do some pretty incredible things to be on the left side your whole career and then move over to the right. Tucker, you watch him play guard, he acts like he's been there for 10 years.''
Tucker said, ''I like it better than tackle right now. I'm playing better than I have in a long time.''
Crennel said he's been impressed with how Tucker has taken on his new role with ''gusto.''
''Some guys when you talk to them about changing positions, they look at you a little crazy — 'I've been a tackle for eight years and now you want me to go to guard?' There was nothing like that with Ryan. He said, 'This is a chance for me to play and I want to help the team.' ''
Crennel also understands why Tucker feels so comfortable at his new spot. Crennel said Tucker likes having less area to cover and has a good matchup with linebackers he must block.
''He's found a new toy and he enjoys playing with it,'' Crennel said.
Crennel believes the seven games Tucker missed last season dealing with a nonfootball illness and the four more he sat out at the beginning of 2007 after being suspended for steroids might have also affected Tucker.
''I think that opens your eyes a little bit,'' Crennel said. ''When you come back to play the game the way you love, it makes it that much more enjoyable.''
Even though he wasn't protecting left-handed passer Michael Vick's blind side during his four years with the Atlanta Falcons, Shaffer had some technical issues when he moved to the right side.
''It took about three weeks to get the right-hand stance down,'' Shaffer said. ''I'm still learning. I'll never be all the way there, but I almost feel more natural at right tackle than left tackle.''
Crennel said Shaffer was also worried about his footwork, but he adapted.
''Considering the circumstances, I would say he's a better right tackle than left tackle,'' Crennel said. ''I think that apprehension early on was in his mind. Once he got over there, he said, 'This isn't as bad as I thought it would be.' ''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Tight end Steve Heiden need only step on the scale to measure what he's sacrificed for the 2007 Browns.
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