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Do IT this week: Layering
Browns safety wants to be on the field for every play
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Nov 15, 2008
BEREA: Browns coach Romeo Crennel indicated defensive changes were coming after his team's second-half meltdown against the Denver Broncos last week.
One of his ideas to help the struggling defense has left safety Sean Jones unhappy.
In an effort to keep a handful of defenders fresh throughout the game, Crennel said Monday he would rotate players at three positions: inside and outside linebacker and safety.
For Jones and some others, that means less playing time.
''I want to be on the field for every snap,'' Jones said Friday. ''I'm one of the better safeties in this league and I want to be out there trying to make plays. If I'm not on the field, then I can't make plays.
''That's my opinion on it; the coaches have got their own thing about it. I didn't know it was an issue until I heard about it on Monday. . . . I always want to play with a chip on my shoulder. But it definitely kind of makes me even more motivated than I already was.''
Questions surrounding Jones' health surfaced after the Nov. 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens. With the score tied 27-27, he whiffed on an open-field tackle of Ravens rookie running back Ray Rice, who went on to gain 60 yards — the longest run by a Browns opponent this season. The Ravens turned the big gain into a go-ahead field goal.
Jones underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Sept. 11 and missed four games. On Friday, he said his knee is fine, despite Crennel mentioning recently that it's often swollen after games.
''My knee feels good,'' said Jones, who is in the fifth and final year of his contract. ''There's no excuse. I feel good out there. I've been playing pretty consistent ball. The picks and everything hasn't been up like it's been in the past, but I've been playing pretty good, consistent ball.
''If I were like that [dealing with constant swelling], then I wouldn't be playing. I take my career seriously. I don't want to try to injure myself for future games or future years in this league.
''If it was feeling like that, swelling after each and every game, I wouldn't go out there and play.''
Tough skin
Browns defensive lineman Shaun Smith is known for being particularly vocal during warm-ups before practice. But Smith took it to another level during Wednesday's practice in Berea, calling out the play of some of the linemen.
Perhaps, then, it was more than coincidence that later that evening, multiple unidentified sources singled out Smith on a Web site (http://www.profootballtalk.com) as one of the chief ''quitters'' whom a frustrated Jamal Lewis was referring to after the loss to the Broncos.
''There's always haters,'' Smith said of the anonymous post. ''My mom always told me there would be haters in your life. You have to keep moving and persevere through whatever it is. . . . I knew it wasn't true, so I wasn't worried about it. It was funny to me.''
Smith said he's not concerned about the identity of the snitch, even if it is a fellow teammate.
''Who knows?'' he said. ''You've got to be sensitive to let that bother you. I've got thick skin; I'm not worried about that. I've got a job to do: stop the run and create some pressure in the pass rush.''
Forgotten man
Backup running back Jerome Harrison has not gotten the full attention of the Browns' coaching staff during games, but he sure has been getting his fair share away from the field.
Despite rushing for 44 yards on four carries and catching a 9-yard pass in the first half of last week's loss to the Broncos, Harrison was all but forgotten in the second half. He touched the ball once for a 4-yard run.
''With my competitive nature, it's always going to be frustrating [to not carry the ball consistently],'' Harrison said. ''It's hard. But at the same time, I just have to keep working and paying attention when [starter] Jamal [Lewis] is in, so I know what's going on when I do get out there.''
A swell of fan support for Harrison has gotten to the point that he shies away from some public outings.
''I don't go anywhere to sit down and eat lately because the owner or manager of wherever I'm at is always like, 'Man, you should play more,' '' Harrison said. ''I'm like, 'Telling me ain't going to help.' ''
Harrison, a fifth-round pick in the 2006 draft out of Washington State, said he understands he has to have patience.
''I just keep practicing hard and try to make the best of the opportunities given to me,'' he said.
Cribbs ready
Browns return man Joshua Cribbs is looking forward to Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills for a hyped matchup of standout special teams.
''The special teams can have a big impact on the outcome of a game,'' said Cribbs, whose 27.7 yard kickoff return average ranks second in the league. ''They can change the game. No matter what you do on offense or defense, if you have a breakdown on special teams, that can make or break the whole game.''
Cribbs is not so sure the Bills will give him much of an opportunity to add to his recent return success.
''They have a real good kicker, and I don't think they're going to kick it to me,'' he said. ''[Punter Brian Moorman] moves the ball around really well, and I think he's going to utilize that.''
Cribbs, who had five special teams tackles and 135 kickoff return yards last week against the Broncos, said a kicker with such good aim presents a unique difficulty.
''It challenges me dramatically because I'll have to run up to catch the ball and then they will already be right in my face,'' he said. ''But we've just got to be prepared. We've been practicing for it, so we'll be ready.''
The Bills have their own version of Cribbs in Leodis McKelvin, who averages 26.1 yards on 34 kickoff returns.
''They have this kid McKelvin, who ran 185 yards against New England last week,'' Crennel said. ''So he's dangerous, too. The match will be how often do you kick to those guys. Do you kick it to Josh every time? I think the wind will play a factor in that, too.''
Injury update
Fullback Lawrence Vickers (ankle) did not practice Friday, with Crennel saying, ''He's looking more and more doubtful for the game.'' . . . Left guard Eric Steinbach (ribs) participated in limited practice. . . . Lewis did not practice. He had the day off for added rest, a routine Crennel has used as the season has worn on. . . . Tight end Steve Heiden was added to the injury report Friday with a back injury. He participated in limited practice and is listed as questionable for Monday's game.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
BEREA: Browns coach Romeo Crennel indicated defensive changes were coming after his team's second-half meltdown against the Denver Broncos last week.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Galt, CA
Posted 11:04 AM, 11/15/2008
Hey Sean,
The defense has coughed up double didgit leads in each of the last two games. Apparently you can't make plays when you're on the field, either.
Posted 11:38 AM, 11/15/2008
Maybe it's just coincidence, but it seems that the collapse of the Browns defense coincided with his return to the field. It almost seems that he's so eager to prove himself that he is forgetting his assignments.
Seattle, WA
Posted 02:11 PM, 11/15/2008
While I appreciate Sean's competitiveness, the fact is that even to a layman, he's missing assignments and giving up plays. And the big hits and stuffs of the last couple of years are missing this year. He's gotten carried for yards at a time before bringing a ball carrier down whereas the last couple of years, he still can't cover tight ends, but he was always good for a big hit that stopped the runner in his tracks. Now he can't cover or tackle securely. Sean, trust your coach - you're not all the way back yet.
