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Second-year linebacker wants to get 16 sacks, make it to Pro Bowl
By Brian Windhorst Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Aug 23, 2007
BEREA: Like promises during winter Grapefruit League games in baseball, August hope springs eternal in the NFL.
Coming off a successful rookie season, include Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley as basking in that aura. Brimming with confidence, Wimbley is talking big about his sophomore year.
At the top of the list? He wants a sack for every game, which would be 16, in case you're ill-informed. Then, he'd like to be in Honolulu in January and become just the second Browns player since the franchise returned in 1999 to make the Pro Bowl team.
''If I make it (to 16 sacks), that's great. If I don't, I won't be upset; it's just something to shoot for,'' Wimbley said Wednesday after a sweltering Browns practice. ''Getting to the Pro Bowl is something every player thinks about, to be the best at their position. If I could make it, that would be great.''
Wimbley had 11 sacks from his outside linebacker spot in 2006, setting a franchise record for a rookie and fulfilling some of the potential that he was tagged with when the Browns drafted him in the first round. Even though he said he made improving his run defense a priority in offseason workouts, he can't help but get excited about racking up more sacks this season.
''I'm pretty proud of how everything is going so far in camp,'' said Wimbley, who has yet to pick up a sack in the preseason. ''I've been working some inside moves and working with my hands to get a better pass rush.''
Contributing to Wimbley's optimism is the free-agent pickup of opposite outside linebacker Antawn Peek, who has looked good in practices and in games. Wimbley is counting on Peek getting more attention in blocking schemes, giving him better chances at his beloved stat, the sack.
''It frees me up a little bit, having him there on the opposite side complicates things a little bit for the offense,'' Wimbley said. ''They don't know who to go after sometimes, and I think you'll see that this year.''
Baxter setback?
Cornerback Gary Baxter, after getting some traction in his ambitious plan to return from twin patellar-tendon tears by playing on the scout team earlier in camp, has hit a speed bump. Citing soreness in the knees, the Browns have shut Baxter down for this week and hope to start from scratch next week.
Browns coach Romeo Cren nel said again Wednesday that he needs to see Baxter play in a competitive situation before making a decision on his future with the team.
''We told him this when we started, if he got sore, or things didn't look good, or he didn't feel good, we would back off rather than force him through it,'' Crennel said. ''We need to get him against the good guys and let him see how he can do against the good guys. As soon as he gets back out, we'll bring him back along and see where he is . . . next week, I'll have to start making some of those decisions.''
Anderson not giving in
In the daily quarterback update, Derek Anderson is still getting some reps with the first team in practice. Even though Crennel has named Charlie Frye as the starter for Saturday's preseason game in Denver against the Broncos, and rookie Brady Quinn seems to be charging, Anderson still thinks that he has a shot at winning the starting job.
''I wouldn't say I know where I stand, but I am confident in the things I'm doing,'' Anderson said. ''We knew what it was going to be like going in, when you get your opportunities to throw, you better be on point.''
Injury update
Linebacker Andra Davis' ankle injury continues to be an issue. He'll miss a second consecutive game Saturday. . . . Defensive end Simon Fraser (abscess removal), linebacker Mason Unck (knee), and wide receiver Efrem Hill (shoulder) were all announced as out Wednesday. . . . LeCharles Bentley and Eric Steinbach took part in light individual workouts in practice. It was the first time that Steinbach was out with the team since spraining his right knee nearly two weeks ago.
Brownies
The Browns receivers had a poor day, dropping numerous balls. Especially hard hit was Travis Wilson, who stayed afterward to work in an attempt to make up for it. . . . Crennel gave a slight indication that Chris Barclay might have a leg up in winning the last running back spot over Jerome Harrison. It will be hard for both to make the team. ''That is a good battle, and I think the numbers will make it tough, but you look at what kind of contribution a guy can make to the team, and Barclay has some special-teams consideration that we have to give him,'' Crennel said. noweb
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Check out his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
BEREA: Like promises during winter Grapefruit League games in baseball, August hope springs eternal in the NFL.
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