Events Calendar
In This Section
Browns terminate Stallworth's contract
Colts kicker Matt Stover, 42, is oldest player in Super Bowl history
Browns, Dolphins make unusual trade
Holmgren dislikes quarterback battles
Cavs' hoops throw Bryant for a loop
Winfield won't let pain intercept playoff chance
NFL title games include several players with local ties
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
- Brady Quinn patiently awaiting his turn
- Two-a-days finish with few problems
- Browns thrilled to enter spotlight
- Rough practice fires up Browns
-Crennel says he sees improvement
-Former OSU standout trying to make the grade in secondary
- Rookie receives an earful from star
-Rookie Hubbard keeps eye on the ball
- Crennel looking for team cohesion
-Browns kick returner Cribbs wants new contract
- D'Qwell Jackson expects big year
-Browns notebook - Jets will see a lot of Browns' Brady Quinn
-Browns receiver Travis Wilson fulfilling potential
-Rookie may be someone to watch
-McDonald eager to fill bigger role for Browns
-Browns' offense shows life on Family Night
-Browns' Andra Davis sees great mix of talent
-Rooke rusher Thomas applies advice
-Browns notebook - Quinn shows improvement
-Ex-KSU star Cribbs providing big return for Browns
-A leaner Jamal Lewis shapes up for big season
-Browns notebook - College teammates take two paths
-Wimbley won't predict personal goals
-Browns notebook - Injured cornerback keeps eye on practice
-Stallworth isn't worried about injury
-Winslow wants deal, but focus is on field
-Browns fans set bar high as camp opens
-Browns notebook: Stallworth suffers pulled hamstring
-Prime-time anticipation for Browns
-Patrick McManamon: Hard not to think good thoughts now
BROWNS TRAINING CAMP QUESTIONS
Key issues for the Browns in their 2008 training camp, as compiled by Beacon Journal pro football writer Marla Ridenour:
1. Will they acquire help at cornerback?
Daven Holly's season-ending knee injury during organized training activities and the trade of Leigh Bodden to the Detroit Lions in the Shaun Rogers deal left the Browns desperately thin. Eleven-year veteran Terry Cousin was signed to play in the slot, while projected starters Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are both second-year players. If a free agent is not signed early in camp, General Manager Phil Savage might be scanning the waiver wire the rest of the year.
2. Will Joe Jurevicius retire?
The team's July 1 announcement that the 33-year-old wide receiver underwent the fourth procedure on his right knee since January rekindled speculation about retirement that Jurevicius tried to quash during minicamp. General Manager Phil Savage said last week that Jurevicius might open the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list, which means he would miss the first six regular-season games. After his initial operation, Jurevicius contracted a staph infection that required two more surgeries, then continued pain and swelling forced another cleanup June 30. The Browns added Donte' Stallworth in free agency when Jurevicius said his body could no longer handle the rigors of being No. 2. Behind Stallworth and Braylon Edwards, the receiving corps boasts little proven talent. Youngsters will be hard-pressed to fill the shoes of Jurevicius, who caught 50 passes in 2007, 29 on third down (third in the league).
3. How much will Brady Quinn play?
Browns fans saw little of Quinn last summer, when an 11-day, 16-practice holdout cost the first-round pick from Notre Dame a chance to start. This preseason, presumably Quinn will get plenty of time, even though Pro Bowler Derek Anderson is clearly No. 1.
4. Will Kellen Winslow be a happy camper?
With 1,106 yards in 2007, Winslow became the 14th tight end in NFL history to surpass 1,000 in a season. But at the Pro Bowl, Winslow said he wanted to renegotiate his contract, which has three years remaining. Many wonder how long his reconstructed right knee, hurt in a 2005 motorcycle accident, will hold up, especially after a fourth surgery in February. Savage seems open-minded to a new deal for Winslow, but it's not a high priority. Always a professional, Winslow will do his job, even if he still feels underpaid. But he may not say much.
5. Can Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers make a difference in the run defense?
Preseason games might offer little clue, but the Browns gave up second- and third-round picks (and Bodden) for the former Green Bay Packer Williams and former Lion Rogers in hopes of improving its 30th-ranked run defense. Although he was expected to play nose tackle, Rogers might see considerable time at end. A great chemistry between the top four linemen, including Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith, seems to be brewing. Whether it translates to the field is another story.
6. When will Ryan Tucker return?
Tucker needed hip surgery this spring after limping off during offseason training activities. While he's probably the Browns' fourth-best lineman, Tucker seemed rejuvenated after finding a new home at right guard the second half of last season. Rex Hadnot, with 55 career starts the past four years with the Miami Dolphins, steps in. Coach Romeo Crennel said the status of the versatile Tucker, a right tackle most of his 11-year career, was one of his biggest concerns going into camp.
7. Who will emerge as Jamal Lewis' backup?
Some would argue the Browns have only one every-down back in Lewis, who turns 29 in August. Jason Wright is a valuable special teamer, but it seems time for Jerome Harrison to prove his worth. A fifth-round pick in 2006, Harrison has been a training-camp sensation but has just 43 carries (202 yards) in two years. If he doesn't show improvement, fullback Lawrence Vickers might get his hands on the ball more often.
8. Does Kamerion Wimbley bounce back from his sophomore slump?
The 13th overall pick in the 2006 draft set the Browns' rookie sack record with 11, then totaled five in 2007. New defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said Wimbley's plays against the run and 20 quarterback pressures (next best was Antwan Peek with nine) were often overlooked. Tucker might have some new twists to showcase Wimbley's skills. A healthy Peek would help him, too.
9. Which rookie will make the most impact?
Hard-hitting UNLV linebacker Beau Bell, taken with the Browns' first draft pick in the fourth round, would be the logical choice, but he might be more of a factor on special teams. Opportunity might favor wide receiver Paul Hubbard or tight end Martin Rucker. Winslow and tight end Steve Heiden (back) are both coming off surgery, so Missouri's Rucker should get plenty of summer work. Hubbard, 6-foot-2, went to Wisconsin on a track scholarship and was a football walk-on. It's hard for a rookie receiver to break in, but Hubbard could capitalize on the absence of Jurevicius.
10. Will Gary Baxter be cut?
Savage has close ties to the former Baltimore Raven, a prized free-agent cornerback who played in only eight games with the Browns before tearing both patellar tendons in 2006. Now a safety, Baxter works valiantly toward what would be an unprecedented return, but a setback last season required another surgery. Stashing him on injured reserve again is pointless. By the Sept. 7 opener, he'll be unemployed or a strong candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.
