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Browns add Sanders to lineup. Starter is injured in warm-ups
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Sep 08, 2008
CLEVELAND: The already banged-up Browns suffered another blow before the opening kickoff Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. This one left them scrambling.
Just before the 4:15 p.m. start, it was announced that No. 2 receiver Donte' Stallworth had suffered a groin injury, which coach Romeo Crennel later said happened in pregame warm-ups. Syndric Steptoe, a seventh-round pick from Arizona in 2007 who spent all of last year on the practice squad, started in Stallworth's place.
The loss of Stallworth contributed to offensive chaos at times as the Cowboys rolled to a 28-10 victory. The Browns managed only 205 total yards, with 114 passing. Tight end Kellen Winslow was the team's leading receiver with five catches for 47 yards and a 2-yard TD.
''I didn't get word that Donte' was out until I was getting ready to go on the field to get ready to play,'' receiver Steve Sanders said. ''Very unexpected, but you stay prepared for things like that. It's not an easy thing to do, but once they said he was down, I went to the side and said, 'I'm ready for this, this is what I prepare for.' ''
Stallworth, a six-year veteran, was signed in free agency from New England to take the role Joe Jurevicius held last season.
Steptoe and Sanders had several problems lining up. In the first quarter, Winslow seemed to implore the coaches to go with a double tight end formation with himself and Steve Heiden.
''You have to deal with the cards you're dealt,'' Browns quarterback Derek Anderson said after completing 11-of-24 passes. ''We anticipated having [Stallworth] all week and he was a huge part of what we were going to do. But you've still got to make plays and guys have to step up. It kind of throws a little wrench in there, but we've still got to go play the game.''
Steptoe caught one pass for 12 yards; Sanders had one reception for 18 yards. Sanders had been promoted from the practice squad Saturday.
''I have confidence in what they're doing,'' Anderson said of Steptoe and Sanders, who made their NFL debuts. ''Obviously it's a little bit different for Steve. He was on the practice squad until yesterday and he hadn't anticipated playing. You've still got to prepare. You never know what's going to happen.''
Asked about the early problems, Sanders, a former Bowling Green and Cleveland East High player, said, ''We had first-game jitters. Everybody was anxious and it was moving a little fast. Once you fall into that groove and rhythm, everything falls into place and settles down.''
On the practice squad last season, Sanders tried to cope with the disappointment of not making the team Aug. 30.
''You've got to have faith. I have faith in God that he will take care of everything,'' Sanders said. ''I don't worry about making it or not making it. I know when the opportunity comes, you have to seize the moment for everything it's worth.''
When he learned Stallworth was hurt, Sanders thought of his teammate first.
''I came back in and went in the training room and grabbed his hand and said a prayer for him,'' Sanders said. ''That was the first thing on my mind. It wasn't my opportunity, it was about making sure he was OK and keeping his spirits up.''
Lewis guts it out
Browns running back Jamal Lewis suffered a pulled hamstring Aug. 18 and didn't return to practice until Wednesday. But Lewis, who rushed for 1,304 yards last season, was determined to play. He managed 62 yards on 13 carries and caught one pass for 14 yards.
Asked if he was 100 percent, Lewis said, ''I'll let you know that tomorrow morning. But right now, I feel great. I ran great. I was kind of hesitant early because it was hurting me a little bit. I wasn't going to miss this game. I wanted to go out there and push it and I did push it. It felt real good. I'm happy with it. Hopefully I'll sleep well tonight.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
CLEVELAND: The already banged-up Browns suffered another blow before the opening kickoff Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. This one left them scrambling.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 08:44 AM, 09/08/2008
as a diehard saints fan, i'm sorry to say it, but i told you so. donte is a really talented guy, but he's injury prone! it's one reason the saints dumped him. if he'd ever be healthy, he'd be awesome, but he is never healthy.
Stow, OH
Posted 01:51 PM, 09/08/2008
Why did I just waste my time registering on this site when it didn't save any of the info i typed in ?? The IT dept. at the BJ must still use carbon paper.
niles, oh
Posted 01:39 PM, 09/09/2008
this site makes no sense. were is old comments?try useing a 3grader next time next time you set up this site maybe he will get it right
