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Anderson working to get his timing back with Edwards
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Sep 04, 2008
BEREA: The Browns are scrambling to put the pieces back together from an injury-riddled preseason before America's Team comes to town, but quarterback Derek Anderson relishes the work.
''I was in bed for a week,'' Anderson said. ''Not really bed, but they didn't let me do much. I didn't even have TV, so it actually worked out good. It took me a few weeks to get a TV in my house. My wife was a little upset.''
Apparently there are some upgrades in the works at the Anderson house since the new contract he signed Feb. 29 made him a multimillionaire. Now recovered from an Aug. 18 concussion that was the second of his football career, Anderson faces more pressing issues than where to hang the new flat screens.
With the Dallas Cowboys visiting Sunday for the nationally televised 4:15 p.m. opener, Anderson must get his timing back with Braylon Edwards. On Aug. 9, Edwards suffered a gash in his right foot that needed stitches when fellow receiver Donte' Stallworth playfully jumped on him.
Edwards still feels lucky.
''No question. It was so close to my Achilles,'' Edwards said, letting down his bravado for a moment.
''I practiced on Monday, felt good. And everybody knows what time it is. I will be going on Sunday,'' Edwards said.
Cleveland's first injury report looked in midseason form. Seventeen Browns were listed, but all but right guard Rex Hadnot (knee), tight end Martin Rucker (knee) and linebacker/special teamer Kris Griffin (elbow) participated in practice to some extent.
Limited were receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs (ankle), strong safety Sean Jones (knee), free safety Brodney Pool (concussion), running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), right guard Ryan Tucker (hip) and linebacker Beau Bell (knee). It was the first practice in pads for Pool and Lewis since they were hurt against the Giants.
Lewis said he was injured on his last play, a fumbled exchange with Anderson that was returned 95 yards for a touchdown.
''I haven't had any history of hamstring injuries, nothing more than a tweak here or there,'' Lewis said. ''I'm going to go out there today, run on it a little bit and practice probably individuals. See how it feels and make a decision from there.
''Nothing heals a muscle but time and rest. I've had a lot of time and rest. Hopefully, it feels good today when I put it to the test.''
Asked if he was 80 or 90 percent now, Lewis said, ''I'll let you know tomorrow.''
Anderson, Lewis and Edwards spoke to the local media for the first time since their injuries. Speculation about whether they would be ready for the Cowboys centered on Anderson, who threw 29 touchdown passes last season, went 10-5 as the starter and made the Pro Bowl.
Hurt on a sack by the Giants' Osi Umenyiora, Anderson said he started feeling good Thursday or Friday after that Monday night game in the Meadowlands. Although he also had a concussion in college, Anderson said, ''That's nothing to really worry about for me. I feel like I came back from it pretty quickly.''
He said if last Thursday's preseason finale had been a regular-season game, he would have found a way to play.
Anderson said he and Edwards didn't exactly pick up Monday where they left off.
''It has been three weeks since you guys knew he practiced,'' Anderson said, indicating he and Edwards had been throwing inside before then. ''We're trying to make sure we stay on the same page. It wasn't exactly where we needed to be. That's why we've got this week of practice.''
Anderson didn't seem worried that there wasn't enough time for the offense to recapture what they had.
''No concerns; just go play,'' he said. ''Worry about us and the game plan and make sure we're mentally ready going into it. I think we've got enough guys out there — guys who have been playing long enough — that we'll be all right.''
Lewis wouldn't accept the notion that the Browns won't be at peak efficiency against the Cowboys, who went 13-3 last season and sent 13 to the Pro Bowl.
''I don't see why we wouldn't be,'' Lewis said. ''We work hard. I watched practice Monday; guys were looking good, D.A. was throwing the ball well. Braylon looked like he hadn't missed a beat. We'll be OK.
''We have a high-powered offense, just as they do. I think it'll make for a good matchup.''
Stallworth also seemed upbeat when he said, ''If we can all be on the same page and execute, I think it will be fun for Cleveland fans on Sunday.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: The Browns are scrambling to put the pieces back together from an injury-riddled preseason before America's Team comes to town, but quarterback Derek Anderson relishes the work.
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