Events Calendar
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Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Man allegedly paid teens to spit in his face
Retired firefighter who broke color barrier among those being honored
Angel Food Ministries helps stretch grocery dollars
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Two blowouts, one night
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Singletary update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
- 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.
