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Former player who suffered same injury visits training camp
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008
BEREA: Wendell Davis and Gary Baxter share the same strange fate, suffering two torn patellar tendons in an NFL game.
But Davis, a Chicago Bears receiver, never played again after going down on the Veterans Stadium turf in Philadelphia in 1993, retiring after the 1995 season. Baxter, a Browns cornerback-turned-safety, is still trying to make an unprecedented comeback from his 2006 injury.
The two met Thursday when Davis came to participate in a two-day apprentice program started by Browns General Manager Phil Savage. Now owner of a barbershop franchise in Chicago and mentoring high school students, Davis, who was a first-round pick, is trying to return to the NFL in a player development or scouting role.
''I never thought I'd see Gary,'' Davis said Friday. ''I remember when his injury happened, I said to myself, 'I really have to call this guy,' but I never did. I ended up being able to speak to him face to face, and that was better for both of us. It was very special to me. It was probably good for me as well, that the tragedy I went through could help somebody else.''
The two compared their injuries, both the physical and mental side.
''You have to go through this whole emotional and mental thing and be able to trust in your legs again,'' Davis said. ''I encourage him to keep working hard. Who knows? He could very well come back from this.''
But they also discussed when it is time to walk away.
''We talked about having that feeling to make sure it's time to leave, that he's given all he's got until the very end,'' Davis said.
Baxter wants to play in the preseason before he makes that decision.
''I can't wait until the preseason comes. That's going to be my ultimate test,'' Baxter said. ''The last preseason game, I'm going to judge it on how I feel there and where I felt before I got hurt. That's all I can do, and be a realist about it. I know what it takes to be a top player in this league. I have this camp and four preseason games to make that judgment.''
Quinn struggles
Second-year quarterback Brady Quinn threw three interceptions and fumbled a snap in a span of about six plays. Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers, safety Brodney Pool and rookie linebacker Alex Hall were the recipients, with Hall stepping in front of a swing pass intended for Jamal Lewis.
''I read Jamal going out, so I knew it was some kind of screen,'' said Hall, a seventh-round pick from Division II St. Augustine. ''I looked up and the ball was right there. I was just happy I ran it in.''
A possible contributor as a pass rusher, Hall said it was the first time he'd ever made an interception.
''I didn't know what to do,'' Hall said.
Quinn wasn't alone in his woes, as the defense had its way with the offense. Starting quarterback Derek Anderson fumbled a snap and Lewis lost a fumble.
''It was more the defense being ahead of the offense,'' Crennel said in reference to Quinn. ''The defense was blitzing. A lot of times when pressure is applied, if everybody is not on the same page and they don't execute, mistakes happen.''
Fighting it out
Crennel came up with an unusual way to end practice. With the entire team circled around, he chose an offensive and defensive lineman and let them battle it out in the middle for about 10 seconds. Among those who participated were offensive linemen Cliff Louis and Isaac Sowells and defensive lineman Chase Pittman.
''One or two guys I wanted to motivate a little bit, let them know that they're getting their shots and we are watching,'' Crennel said. ''It was a team-building kind of thing.''
Brownies
Sitting out were offensive lineman Rex Hadnot (ankle), running back Jason Wright (hamstring) and receiver Donte' Stallworth (hamstring), who has yet to practice in camp. . . . Visiting were Ohio State assistant coaches Jim Heacock, Luke Fickell, Paul Haynes and Taver Johnson, who coached for the Browns in 2004. . . . Today's practices are scheduled for 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Call 877-6BROWNS for updates.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Wendell Davis and Gary Baxter share the same strange fate, suffering two torn patellar tendons in an NFL game.
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