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Backup quarterback says he'll be ready when his number is called
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.: Some wonder if the Browns will get a fair evaluation of backup quarterback Brady Quinn unless he plays with the first team.
But the former Notre Dame star who was the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft said he will never go to coach Romeo Crennel and make that request.
''That's not my place. You guys are more tempted, maybe you guys should ask him for me,'' Quinn said last week. ''I'm never going to be that type of guy. I know when my number's called, I'll be ready.''
After getting just one series of work in the 2007 season finale, Quinn played about a half in the 2008 preseason opener at home against the New York Jets on Aug. 7. He completed 13-of-17 passes for 133 yards with an interception and a 73.9 rating, producing 10 points.
Crennel said he would handle playing time in Monday night's nationally televised game against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands in similar fashion, although the starters might go into the second quarter.
Presumably the Browns will make a decision about Derek Anderson and Quinn after the season and trade one of them. But unless Anderson is injured, Quinn will be reduced to dreaming about throwing to Winslow and receiver Braylon Edwards, sidelined with a cut on the back of his right foot.
''Those guys make it easy on quarterbacks, I'll tell you that much,'' Quinn said. ''Any time you have a guy like Braylon Edwards to throw to where you've got kind of a wide margin of error where you can put the ball, that kind of helps out things.''
Rogers sits
Browns defensive lineman Shaun Rogers made the trip to New Jersey, but was not expected to play against the Giants.
Acquired in an offseason trade with the Detroit Lions, the 6-foot-4, 350-pound Rogers missed three days of practice last week with a sore knee and other soreness. Crennel has a don't practice, don't play policy.
Among those who stayed home were Edwards, fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring) and receiver Kevin Kasper (hamstring).
Finding a niche?
Syndric Steptoe's return ability could be the deciding factor in whether he makes the 53-man roster Aug. 30. Listed as 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, Steptoe was a seventh-round pick out of the University of Arizona in 2007 and spent last season on the practice squad.
A receiver, Steptoe helped himself against the Jets by returning two kickoffs for 73 yards and two punts for 25 yards as Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs was held out of that duty. But Steptoe had no catches, and one Quinn ball went off his hands for an interception.
''He has a lot of quickness and suddenness because of his size,'' Crennel said of Steptoe. ''There was some excitement when the ball was in his hands, so he showed some promise. He is smart and tough and can catch the ball.''
Playing against much larger foes would seem to be daunting for Steptoe.
''It's tough, but at the same time we have an advantage because we're quicker than most of the guys,''' Steptoe said. ''Most of the short guys you see are on the inside against the linebackers and the safeties who are more like 6-2, 230, so you've got to use your quickness to your advantage. And just because you're short doesn't mean you can't jump.''
Steptoe said there is some bravery involved going across the middle.
''Most definitely,'' he said. ''But it's all about heart and having confidence in your hands and your skill level. You know the quarterback is going to get you the ball. He's not going to put you in a bad situation coming in and out of your breaks.''
The interception against the Jets bothered Steptoe, but he won't let it bring him down.
''It was off my fingertips, but at the same time I pride myself on trying to catch every ball that comes my way,'' he said. ''I'd much rather put that on my shoulders than on Brady's shoulders.''
More motivation
Outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley finished his second season with just five sacks, down from a Browns rookie record of 11 in 2006. But Wimbley seems extremely confident this summer and is coming out of his shell.
Perhaps perfecting some new pass-rush moves in the offseason has encouraged Wimbley. But he still seems to be looking for bulletin-board material.
Told about a Sporting News article that dissed him for his limited techniques and predictable ways of getting to the quarterback, Wimbley said: ''I've got to read that, bring me that article. It could have been kind of predictable last year. We'll get some change-ups.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.: Some wonder if the Browns will get a fair evaluation of backup quarterback Brady Quinn unless he plays with the first team.
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