'Just Another Game'

Is this what free agency have wrought?  A couple of media members did a double take in the Browns locker room when Shaun Smith downplayed the importance of this Sunday night's Browns-Steelers game that's being televised nationally on NBC (WKYC Channel 3)

"It's just another game.  We're trying to get better and trying to get a 'W'," Smith said. "I know it's a big rivalry as you guys (the media) make it, but to us it's just another game on the schedule that we have to go out and play and try to make something happen."

I'm willing to give Smith the benefit of the doubt on this one for not wanting to give the Steelers any bulletin board material.  But in this part of the NFL universe, he could have at least acknowledge the importance of the game on some level.

Sean Jones out

As reported in Marla Ridenour's blog post earlier, Sean Jones is out because of knee problems and will have arthroscopic surgery on it in the hopes of remedying the problem.   It will fall to backup Mike Adams to help fill the void in the defensive backfield. He said he's up to the responsibility.

"I'm ready for the challenge.  I'm out there getting everything right. I'm looking at film for anything and everything, so I'll definitely be ready." 

He'll have his word cut out for him with having to deal with Hines Ward and Heath Miller.

Just a Little Recognition

Browns center Hank Fraley recognizes that this game goes beyond being "just another game" in that he believes that it's still a rivalry.  More importantly, however, he understands the predicament the Browns could find themselves.

"It's been a long time for us to be at the top and here's a chance to be there.  We go 1-1 for the season and 1-0 in our division. It's a big game for us.  They're going to be up for it; we're going to be up for it.  It's going to be exciting Sunday Night Football."

From the Other Side

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger left his team's opener with an injured shoulder this past Sunday and didn't practice today. 

"Today has been a good mental day for me watching and learning about the blitzes and the new plays we put in, so that will be a very above-the-shoulders productive day today, so we'll take it one day at a time," he said in a conference call with reporters.

Browns fans shouldn't count on Roethlisberger not playing.  His coach, Mike Tomlin, said there's little dobut he will.

- Browns Coach Romeo Crennel has always struck me like a bear in appearance and demeanor.   With respect to the latter, he only growls when necessary and in private.  But that hibernation-like demeanor kind of leaves me wondering whether he can ultimately hang on to the confidence of his players.

Take today's press conference for instance:

"We are trying to get ready to play the game we have on Sunday night. It’s a big game for us because we lost the last one and we need a win and it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers who are right down the road. We haven’t done very well against those guys since we have been here so I think that adds more importance to it. It’s going to be critical that we play good. We have to play good to have a chance because they are a pretty good team as you saw last week and what they were able to get done. Our guys will accept the challenge and step up. We are going to work and we are going to fight and we will see what happens. "

The words don't exactly inspire.  Then again, it's the media so he doesn't have to inspire us.

But even the casual observer of the Browns-Steelers rivalry have to raise an eyebrow when it comes to this statement Crennel made about the longstanding feud:

“I can’t speak for before I was here, but since I have been here they have been able to beat us and basically play better. Even when it looked like we had a chance we haven’t been able to finish. We are going to have to see if we can get off to a good start and then see if we can finish a game."

Again, not inspiring.  However, I will give Crennel credit for cutting to the chase on one issue: team defense.  Maybe the so-so way in which he delivers his message is coming from a coach who knows that didn't get everything worked out in the pre-season.  While the offense can claim some legitimate near misses on several plays. The defense was never close with the Dallas Cowboys being able to run and pass at will.  Realistically, the Cowboys should have scored more than 40 points and Crennel knows it.

“I don’t think you can say anybody played well. Shaun (Rogers) was able to get some push in the pocket in the second half a little bit, but when you give up almost 500 yards of offense there’s not much that can look good.”

Browns coach Romeo Crennel announced Wednesday that strong safety Sean Jones will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Thursday.

Crennel said Jones' knee, which experienced swelling in training camp that kept him out of two preseason games, flared up again after Sunday's season-opening loss to Dallas.

Cleveland's second-round pick in the 2004 draft could miss about a month, which is usual after arthroscopy. Considered a Pro Bowl-caliber player, he is in the final year of his contract.

Let's see how the Browns deal with this one.  Donte Stallworth, wide receiver, is questionable for the game with a groin injury.

The injury occurred during pre-game warmups.  Syndric Steptoe started in his place.

It looks as if running back Jamal Lewis is going to give it a go against the Dallas Cowboys this afternoon.

Here's a rundown of the team's inactives:

Ken Dorsey (emergency QB)

Josh Cribbs

Brodney Pool

Kris Griffin

Rex Hadnot

Ryan Tucker

Martin Rucker

Missing Tucker and Hadnot is especially troublesome because it affects the right side of the line, which is likely where the the Cowboys would attack the Browns passing game.  With those two out, McKinney will have to bring his A-game and will need as much help as the Browns can spare, including leaving a back in for pass protection.

Sunday should be special for Cleveland native Steve Sanders, an East High School product who dreams of becoming his city's major one day. On Saturday, the receiver was promoted from the practice squad to the avtive roster and rookie receiver Paul Hubbard was waived.

If Hubbard clears waivers, the sixth-round draft choice from Wisconsin could be added to the practice squad. A track star in college, Hubbard walked on the Badgers' football team in 2003 and was red-shirted. While he showed his speed in Cleveland's winless preseason, he lacked consistency catching the football, dropping a touchdown in the finale against Chicago.

Sanders, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, an undrafted free agent from Bowling Green, came to training camp with the Browns in 2006, but was waived on July 29. He was signed to the practice squad on Dec. 27 and spent all last season there.

If Browns running back Jamal Lewis can't play Sunday against Dallas because of a hamstring injury, coach Romeo Crennel said Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison will share the load.

Lewis was hurt Aug. 18 against the New York Giants, running downfield after a fumbled exchange with quarterback Derek Anderson was returned 95 yards for a touchdown.

If he's called on, Wright said he's not looking to prove anything. He's made just four career starts in three seasons.

"When you go in with that mentality, you end up playing poorly. You end up trying to do too much," Wright said Friday. "You read your reads, you pick up your blocks and the production comes to you, you don't really find production. I've learned that over the last couple years."

Left tackle Joe Thomas said offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has brought out some different looks and plays for Wright and Harrison.

"Whoever's in there, I think we're going to do pretty well," Thomas said.

But Wright won't put anything past Lewis, whose off-season workout regimen could rival Jerry Rice's.

"As far as people who take care of their bodies, Jamal is top-notch," Wright said. "If anybody can come back as quick as possible, it's Jamal."

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said five-year veteran outside linebacker Antwan Peek blew out his right knee in practice Wednesday.

Crennel said, "It looks like the patellar tendon," an injury that also befell center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Gary Baxter while with the Browns. Both are currently out of football.

Peek, who signed with Cleveland as a free agent from Houston in 2007, was undergoing surgery Thursday morning and will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will be lost for the season. Shantee Orr, a free agent signed in March and released in final cuts, was on his way back to Cleveland, hopefully for practice Thursday.

"Shantee does know the system, he has some position versatility, we feel like he brings some value to us," Crennel said. "It's fortunate Orr was still available, we didnt have to go get somebody new who was not familiar with our system and scheme. If there is a positive that is a positive."

Peek's injury will mean a more visible role for rookie Alex Hall, a seventh-round pick from Division II St. Augustine in Raleigh, N.C. Hall was selected the Browns' most outstanding rookie in training camp in a media vote.

Peek was running down the field and planted when his knee blew out. He was thrilled this week to be back on the field in full pads after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the same knee on July 31.
He played in 14 games and started four in 2007, when he was also plagued by knee and ankle problems. Last season he recorded 24 tackles (12 solos) and tied for second on the team in sacks (four) and quarterback pressures (nine).