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Browns begin search for new cornerback to start 2008 season
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, May 22, 2008
BEREA: The Browns' biggest weakness became a gaping hole Tuesday when cornerback Daven Holly blew out his left knee, landing awkwardly after leaping to break up a pass.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Holly suffered cartilage and ligament damage. General Manager Phil Savage said Holly could undergo surgery Friday. A reconstruction will likely sideline the three-year veteran for at least this season.
Crennel said receiver Braylon Edwards suffered a hip pointer on the same play. Edwards was unable to practice Wednesday during the second week of organized team activities for the Browns. Savage said his injury was not serious.
The loss of Holly sent Savage into full search mode. The Browns traded starting cornerback Leigh Bodden to the Detroit Lions in the deal for defensive lineman Shaun Rogers and they released Kenny Wright last week after two offseason arrests for marijuana possession. Holly and Brandon McDonald, a fifth-round pick who played well last season after rookie starter Eric Wright suffered a November knee sprain, were expected to battle in training camp for Bodden's spot.
Savage said the Browns have salary cap space but not enough available cash to sign 14-year veteran Ty Law, 34, who played for the New England Patriots under then-defensive coordinator Crennel. Savage said the same financial considerations would also likely eliminate a trade for the Philadelphia Eagles' Lito Sheppard, 27, a two-time Pro Bowler. April rumors had the Eagles seeking a second-round pick plus another pick or player, not to mention the new contract Sheppard wants.
''Obviously it's a blow to us, but we didn't sign Daven Holly until the summer of '06,'' Savage said. ''There's always a player or two out there. You just have to find the right ones and see if they can pick up the scheme. A veteran would be ideal, but it's not going to be just one player, it could be a couple.
''You hate to have an injury of any kind, but this one is particularly hurtful because of the situation we're in already.''
Two weeks of OTAs, which are not mandatory, have resulted in surgeries for two potential starters. Right guard Ryan Tucker was operated on Friday to repair a fractured hip.
''That's not good. Those are two players we're counting on,'' Savage said. ''We're hopeful of getting Tuck back sometime in August after camp starts.
''We've talked about it some. Where's the line? You want to practice, you want the guys to compete, to try to improve. If you tell them to pull off, are they really practicing what you want them to do?''
The Browns were working outdoors, and Crennel said it wasn't the first time that he had seen an injury when two players were going for a high ball.
''It happened to Braylon; it happened to [Gary] Baxter,'' Crennel said of Edwards' knee injury in 2005 and cornerback Baxter's two torn patellar tendons in 2005. ''It was just one of those funny things, unfortunate.''
The Browns already have given up third- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft for second-day maneuverings to select tight end Martin Rucker and receiver Paul Hubbard this year. Savage still believes that the Browns have several options.
After Kenny Wright's contract was terminated, the Browns re-signed Jereme Perry, who played in 12 games for the Browns in '06 and four with the Miami Dolphins in '07. Wright could be brought back, although Savage said he would look elsewhere first.
Failing to address its cornerback needs in the draft, the Browns signed four rookie free agents — Mil'Von James (UNLV), Damon Jenkins (Fresno State), Gerard Lawson (Oregon State) and Darnell Terrell (Missouri). A.J. Davis (N.C. State) spent most of last season on the practice squad. Baxter could help, but he's now projected as a safety if he can come back, especially after Crennel said he re-injured himself, apparently last year.
''I don't think we were done with the position, anyway,'' Savage said. ''We signed four players after the draft, trying to cultivate a group and maybe coming up with one guy out of those four. Maybe all four of them can play, we don't know.
''We're going to consider bringing a couple guys in here for visits, there's always a trade possibility as well. We've put some feeler calls out there to some of the other teams. We'll see what all this brings in the next week or two.''
A restricted free agent, Holly had not signed his second- round tender of $1.417 million for this season, but Savage said the Browns would honor that offer. In 2007, he played in 15 games and started six, finishing with 47 tackles (36 solos) and nine pass breakups (fourth on the team). In 2005, he started 12 games for an injury-ravaged secondary and tied for the team lead with five interceptions.
''Daven added a lot of energy to our defense,'' McDonald said. ''With Daven going down, you've got to have guys pick up where he left off. I'm praying for Daven and hope he gets better as fast as possible.''
Asked if he's ready to start, McDonald said, ''I think I'm up to the task. I'm trying to do my best. We'll have to see when the season comes who will be out there. Hopefully it will be me.''
Safety Mike Adams, who stepped into the slot Wednesday, saw no reason for fans to panic.
''We all play professional football. If we couldn't play, we wouldn't be here,'' Adams said. ''I expect everybody to step up and bring more to the table.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: The Browns' biggest weakness became a gaping hole Tuesday when cornerback Daven Holly blew out his left knee, landing awkwardly after leaping to break up a pass.
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