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Do IT this week: Layering
Quinn to open Saturday's game at quarterback. Anderson is out with concussion
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
BEREA: Traditionally, NFL coaches play their starters extensively in the third preseason game to fine-tune them for the opener.
Cleveland's Romeo Crennel is being forced to buck tradition.
The Browns will be without five starters — six if you count right guard Ryan Tucker — and receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs for Saturday afternoon's game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion), running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), linebacker Willie McGinest (groin), free safety Brodney Pool (concussion) and Cribbs (ankle) were injured in Monday night's 37-34 road loss against the New York Giants.
Joining them will be Braylon Edwards, who might be shut down for the rest of preseason after being cut on the heel by fellow receiver Donte' Stallworth while jogging in his socks Aug. 9. Tucker is rehabbing after undergoing hip surgery in May.
All but Pool and Tucker have been to a Pro Bowl in their careers.
None of the five hurt against the Giants was seen during practice Wednesday.
''It would be tough for them to make Saturday,'' Crennel said. ''They'll probably miss tomorrow, then they're not going to be ready to play. So they'll sit out Saturday, then we'll see what happens after that.''
That means quarterback
Brady Quinn, the 22nd overall pick from Notre Dame in 2007, will make his first (unofficial) NFL start against the Lions. Presumably, Lewis will be replaced by Jason Wright, Pool by Mike Adams, McGinest by rookie Alex Hall and Cribbs by Syndric Steptoe, at least on returns.
Crennel said he had no plan to bring in a third quarterback. He will go with Quinn and Ken Dorsey against the Lions.
''I'm auditioning tonight,'' Crennel said and it was hard to tell whether he was joking. ''We'll come up with some kind of plan. We've got several guys on the team who have been quarterbacks in high school.''
Among those who fit that bill are punter Dave Zastudil, tight ends Darnell Dinkins and Brad Cieslak, linebackers Kamerion Wimbley, Shantee Orr and D'Qwell Jackson, defensive backs Sean Jones and Nick Sorensen and receivers Efrem Hill and Steptoe. Jones didn't make it through all of Wednesday's practice, but Crennel said he was merely ''working through some soreness.''
Anderson, who went 10-5 as a starter and threw 29 touchdown passes last season, was hurt on a sack by Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora early in the second quarter. Crennel disputed rumors that Anderson also has a separated shoulder.
''I know nothing about a shoulder,'' Crennel said. ''I said a hand because he fell on his hand as well as his head. The concussion is the thing we're dealing with. He just got a bruise (on his hand); he put a Band-Aid on it.''
As for what happened on the sack, when Anderson was running a bootleg, all parties questioned were vague.
''We missed the block, and then he got hurt. If we make the block, he's probably not hurt,'' Crennel said.
''I don't know who to blame on that,'' center Hank Fraley said. ''It wasn't the call. They just got to him. Unfortunately, Derek got a concussion.''
Left tackle Joe Thomas said, ''They kind of caught us in a blitz and we didn't pick it up correctly. We had leakage on the front side and the back side. When you have that, the quarterback's got no place to go.''
As for Edwards, Crennel said the Browns were being ultra conservative after he needed stitches in his right heel.
''We're trying to keep Braylon off his feet so he doesn't re-open that wound,'' Crennel said. ''He's making progress; the wound is healing. He's in a good frame of mind. But we're going to be a little cautious with him.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Traditionally, NFL coaches play their starters extensively in the third preseason game to fine-tune them for the opener.
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