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Do IT this week: Layering
Huge lineman makes acrobatic interception during practice
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008
BEREA: Shaun Rogers slung his big arm up, tipped himself a pass and seconds later pandemonium broke loose on the Browns' defense.
Rogers' new teammates saw Friday what they'd previously witnessed only on last year's highlights — a 6-foot-4, 350-pound monster of a man nabbing an interception and nimbly running around the end for at least 10 yards, stiff-arming fullback Lawrence Vickers before he was through.
Asked if he knew Rogers could turn the corner like that, defensive end Robaire Smith said, ''Yeah, you didn't see the play last year when he took off running? He's a big, athletic guy. I'm quite sure if that was live, whoever that little fullback was would've gotten run over.''
Last year for the Detroit Lions, Rogers intercepted his first pass against the Denver Broncos and returned it 66 yards.
It was only the Browns' third day of training camp, the second practice in pads, and it might hold up as the best play of the summer. It was enough to send a rush of adrenalin through a defensive line starved for big plays and enough to give Brady Quinn nightmares, especially since it was one of three interceptions and a fumbled handoff in a span of six snaps for the backup quarterback. On this one, Quinn was looking for running back Jerome Harrison over the middle.
Safety Sean Jones, linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Antwan Peek and coordinator Mel Tucker were among those who joyously
congratulated Rogers afterward. Then Rogers joined Smith for a celebratory dance.
''We know we've got to be serious in between snaps, but if somebody does something, we're going to have fun with it,'' Smith said. ''That's going to be one of our identities on the defensive line, we want to have more fun while we're playing.''
Some might have questioned why General Manager Phil Savage gave up a third-round pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden for Rogers, then signed him to a six-year, $42 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. A malcontent for the struggling Lions, Rogers wanted a clean slate.
''One thing he constantly talks about, it's a fresh start for him,'' Smith said. ''I think a lot of people have the wrong perspective of him already. He's not the type of guy that people try to make him. He knows this is his chance to rebuild all that.
''I promise you, he says he's having more fun than he did since he's been in the league. That's a good thing for us. We've got to make sure he stays that way.''
During one play, Rogers seemed to affirm what Savage sought — a seven-year pro with rare athleticism for a big man.
''That's special any time a defensive lineman can get an interception,'' said Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who played that position in college. ''For a defensive lineman to get a turnover, that's huge. Hopefully we can get a lot of that in the regular season.''
Rogers declined to talk afterward, but Smith was willing to rave about him.
''He's been a key player since he got in the league,'' Smith said. ''A lot of defensive linemen study his film.''
On Wednesday, Rogers was asked how he'll handle the responsibility of upgrading the Browns' 30th-ranked run defense.
''They brought me in to help do a lot of things, they didn't bring me in for one particular reason,'' Rogers said. ''I'm not going to take that load on all myself. I'm an added piece to hopefully what is a beautiful puzzle.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Shaun Rogers slung his big arm up, tipped himself a pass and seconds later pandemonium broke loose on the Browns' defense.
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