In case you missed it at the bottom of beat writer Marla Ridenour's story on James Davis, here's this interesting tidbit of information:

According to WKNR radio, former Browns defensive lineman Shaun Smith, now with the Lions, gave Browns General Manager George Kokinis an expletive-filled tongue lashing in the stadium hallway Saturday night. The station reported that Kokinis said nothing and walked away. Reportedly on thin ice and told to ''shape up and shut up" in the offseason, Smith was released Aug. 8 after a run-in with defensive line coach Bryan Cox.

Although he was released for clashing with the new Browns coaching staff, Shaun Smith isn't expected to be without a job for long.

John Niyo of the Detroit News is reporting that Smith is in Detroit today meeting the Lions and getting a physical.

Smith was released by the Browns on Saturday. He was signed by the team in 2007 and played in 19 games, registering only two sacks.

'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.