Sunday is a game of firsts

09.06.2006

A year ago the Browns were entering a new era. The team's first regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals was the first for Romeo Crennel as a head coach, the first game as a coordinator for both offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and the first game in Cleveland for several of the team's players.

While this season the coaching staff and most of the players are headed into their second year with the club in its new system, Sunday's opener vs. the Saints still will mark new experiences for several Browns.

The game will be the first in a Browns uniform for several long-time NFL veterans including Ted Washington, Willie McGinest.

For punter Dave Zastudil, it will be not only be his first game with a new team, but his first with his hometown Browns. The Bay Village, Ohio native is excited to suit up in Orange & Brown for the first time - for real.

"It's special every time I put a Browns helmet on but obviously the first game sets the tempo for the season so it means a little something more," Zastudil said. "Everyone knows that. I'm excited."

The same goes for Mentor native Joe Jurevicius who said earlier this offseason he wants to finish his career in Cleveland.

Several teammates of his, meanwhile, won't be playing for a new team, but will be playing in their first NFL game since recovering from major injury.

Most notably, tight end Kellen Winslow (knee), who appeared in each of the team's four preseason games, will return to the field for a regular season contest for the first time in nearly two years.

Gary Baxter (pectoral) and Braylon Edwards (knee) both finished last season on inujred-reserve after respective injuries and subsequent surgeries. Baxter is questionable for the game with an unrelated shoulder injury he suffered during the team's first preseason game of 2006 on Aug. 10, while Edwards is expected to play significantly.

"To get back out here and be ready for the season opener, it feels good," Edwards said. "I'm looking forward to this a lot. Obviously, I haven't played in a while. Our goal was to play against the Saints on Sept. 10 and we hit that mark. We are looking forward to Sunday and excited about what can happen."

Finally, the game will be the first in the respective pro careers of many 2006 Browns draft picks, particularly first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley.

Raw when he was drafted 13^th overall by the Browns four months ago, the collegiate defensive end from Florida State has made the transition to outside linebacker quicker than just about anyone -- except maybe Wimbley himself -- expected.

Rather than looking out of place during preseason games, Wimbley was productive, already providing a significant pass rushing presence to the team's defense - exactly the reason the Browns drafted him in the first place.

And while Wimbley recorded a pair of sacks during the preseason, he knows that means nothing come the games that count. Those games start Sunday.

One would think the pressure might be a bit much for a young rookie who has just completed a position change, but Wimbley seems oddly calm.

"I considered my first game the first preseason game but this is when it really matters," Wimbley said. "The wins and losses count, but I think I'll approach it the same way I approached the first preseason game and that's to go out and do the best I can do.

"Anytime I step on the field I'm excited to be out there and to be playing. I don't think this game will be any different."

While Wimbley will likely come off the bench Sunday vs. the Saints, second-round pick D'Qwell Jackson, may start his first NFL contest. He is listed as the first-team Will linebacker ahead of four-year veteran Chaun Thompson.

If he does, he'll be the first Browns rookie linebacker to start in the season opener since Wali Rainer in 1999. The last player at any position to start as a rookie for the Browns was Kellen Winslow in 2004.

For all of the rookies playing their first NFL game Sunday, it's the culmination of a lifetime of playing football, finally realizing a childhood dream they've kept with them ever since.

2006 sixth-round pick Lawrence Vickers said he's anxious for his first appearance at the highest level of the game.

"I've been thinking about it a lot," Vicker said. "I just try to get my mind off it. I'm trying to save my energy for the game.

"It's real live bullets now. You're getting the best of the best now. You're not getting the guy who's third on the depth chart like during the preseason. You have to step your game up. I'm anxious and ready to go after it."

And, in Vickers' case, his debut likely won't take very long. As a member of both the first-team kick return and kickoff units, he'll likely be on the field Sunday for the first play of his first game.

"I'd be amped," Vickers said. "Whether it's kickoff or return I'll be ready to go attack somebody.

"I always dreamed of playing in the NFL. While you're in high school you position yourself for the best college. But once you get to college you realize there's nothing next but the NFL. That's when it becomes serious to you. Now I want to just make it fun. I have to be serious with it, but I wan to make it fun."