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With Cribbs' status questionable, Browns may need returner
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Sep 06, 2008
BEREA: If the Browns have big shoes to fill in Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Syndric Steptoe has the right name and the right attitude for the task.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Friday the availability of Pro Bowl return man Joshua Cribbs, who suffered a high ankle sprain Aug. 18, would be a game-time decision. He's listed as questionable on the NFL injury report.
If Cribbs can't play, Crennel probably would use Steptoe as the kickoff and punt returner. Or Crennel could limit Cribbs' duties because of the emergence of Steptoe in the preseason.
''You have to go into the game thinking, 'This could be my chance to get the job done for them,' '' Steptoe said.
Cribbs said he has ''made a lot of progress'' this week, but the decision will be up to Crennel after Cribbs is tested during warmups.
''It's not really pain, just something that has to heal up,'' Cribbs said. ''I can't go out there [injured] knowing we've got 15 other games to play. My teammates are telling me, 'Josh, we want you 100 percent for the next game. We don't want you at 50 percent for the rest of the season if you play a couple plays this game.' ''
Cleveland hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 14, which would give Cribbs nearly a month of rehabilitate.
During preseason, Steptoe averaged 35.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns (with a long of 90) and 9.3 yards on four punt returns.
''Yes, sir, if the job called for it, I'd be willing to do that,'' Steptoe said of fielding punts. ''It's a major role on special teams. We have to have a great showing from me if I'm put in that situation.''
In college at Arizona, Steptoe returned a school-record 28 kickoffs for a 17.1 average. His best year was his junior season, when he ranked 24th in the nation in punt returns (11.1 average) and 27th in kickoff returns (25.5).
Asked which he liked better, Steptoe said: ''In my opinion, it's all the same. As long as the ball is in your hands, you've got to show them what you can do with it.''
A seventh-round draft choice in 2007, Steptoe spent all of last season on the practice squad, but the quick, 5-foot-9, 200-pounder wasn't merely going through the motions. He listened to veterans Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
''The Lord has me here for a reason,'' Steptoe said. ''Chud has always told us, 'Keep looking at your plays because you can never know too much about the playbook.'
''It was a learning curve, seeing how Braylon and Joe did it day in and day out, knowing you've got to come with a work ethic and a good mind-set.''
That attitude paid off in training camp with Jurevicius, slated to be No. 3, on the physically-unable-to-perform list after four surgeries on his right knee, three for a staph infection. Receivers Donte' Stallworth and Edwards also missed time with injuries, giving the youngsters more reps. Steptoe seized his chance, with General Manager Phil Savage saying he made the biggest leap onto the 53-man roster from the spring's tentative list.
''I wouldn't say I was a long shot,'' Steptoe said. ''I've always had the mind-set that you play your game and you'll get your opportunity sooner or later. That's something I've lived with my whole life. I stay prepared and stay ready for that opportunity.''
Injury update
Declared out for the Browns were linebacker Kris Griffin (elbow), a key special teams player, and tight end Martin Rucker (knee). Also questionable are running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), free safety Brodney Pool (concussion), right guards Ryan Tucker (hip) and Rex Hadnot (strained right knee) and linebacker Beau Bell (knee). All but Bell will be game-time decisions.
Probable are kicker Phil Dawson (back, limited Friday) and strong safety Sean Jones (knee).
Pool practiced only on Wednesday this week and Crennel said, ''He hasn't started doing a whole lot.''
Savage said seven days ago that Tucker could be two to six weeks away from returning after May surgery. Crennel said Hadnot, hurt Aug. 28, and Tucker were about in the same point in their rehabilitation. Both missed practice Friday.
''We're kind of thin. If I need him, I need him,'' Crennel said of Hadnot.
Declared out for the Cowboys were receivers Miles Austin (knee) and Sam Hurd (ankle), left guard Kyle Kosier (foot) and linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee). Questionable are cornerback Terence Newman (groin), who was limited Thursday and Friday, and receiver Isaiah Stanback (shoulder), a full participant Friday.
Browns linebacker Antwan Peek, who had surgery Thursday to repair a torn right patellar tendon, was released from the Cleveland Clinic on Friday.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: If the Browns have big shoes to fill in Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Syndric Steptoe has the right name and the right attitude for the task.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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niles, oh
Posted 05:47 PM, 09/06/2008
34to 10 Cowboys Savage and Crennel MUST go.
