Notebook: O-line depth apparent

05.14.2008

The newly created depth along the Browns interior offensive line was clearly evident Wednesday during the first practice of 2008 organized team activity (OTA) practicesopen to the media.

There were plenty of bodies and plenty of options for Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. With the first team along the interior line were, as expected, Eric Steinbach at left guard, Hank Fraley at center and Ryan Tucker at right guard.

With Seth McKinney and Lennie Friedman re-signed during the offseason and free agent Rex Hadnot brought in from Miami, there was some question as to who would have the initial leg up at the right guard spot.

But head coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday that player is Tucker, who started the final eight games of the season in 2007 at the position.

The team's first line rounded out with Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas, entering his second NFL season, and Kevin Shaffer at right tackle.

Versatility is also a strength of the line going into the season - Shaffer has experience playing left tackle and Tucker played most of his career at right tackle.

The team's second line featured Isaac Sowells at left tackle, Friedman at left guard, McKinney at center, Hadnot at right guard and Cliff Lewis at right tackle.

During team drills, however, Steinbach and Tucker sat out and were replaced in the starting lineup by Friedman and Hadnot. Tucker did leave the field midway through practice with an undisclosed hip injury and did not return. Crennel said he'll be evaluated by the team doctor Wednesday.

Hadnot is the lone new veteran addition to the unit in 2008. He has only missed one NFL game since joining the league as a sixth round draft pick of the Dolphins in 2004. He played in and started all 16 games during each of the last three seasons. He started the '05 and '07 seasons at right guard and played center in '06.

Now, he has left a team that went 1-15 last year to one that went 10-6 and had a lineman selected for the Pro Bowl.

"In watching football and film last year you can't help but notice the (Browns offensive line) did a great job last year," Hadnot said. "I just want to come in and do my part and work hard, see where I fall in the mix and do everything I can do make not only the O-line better but the team better."

Hadnot will compete with Tucker, McKinney and Friedman for the team's starting right guard spot.

Hadnot said earning the job is his goal.

"No question," Hadnot said. "Anybody with any kind of fire and desire would definitely say that and I'm no different."

WINSLOW UPDATE-Browns tight end Kellen Winslow was missing from OTAs Wednesday. Crennel said he doesn't yet know whether Winslow's absence is "health-related" or "non-health-related."

"When he gets here we'll find out for sure what that is," Crennel said.

Winslow had knee surgery earlier in the offseason.

NO ROOKIES--Due to league regulations, the Browns' rookie class isn't allowed to report to OTAs until Friday. At that point, Beau Bell, Martin Rucker and the rest of the rookies will join their teammates.

NO D'QWELL--Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was absent from practice Wednesday. The third-year linebacker is celebrating his honeymoon after getting married recently.

When he does take the field for OTAs, Jackson will be wearingnumber 52, his college number. The number had been worn for the past three seasons by Matt Stewart, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals during the offseason.

Jackson's old number of 58 will be worn by Bell.

LECHARLES UPDATE--Also missing from practice Wednesday was offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley, who is still rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon suffered during '06 training camp.

"I've spoken with LeCharles and I think he has one or two things he has to try and work through as far as his treating physician and then trying to come and pass our physical," Crennel said.

Crennel said Bentley might not be present until the team's mandatory minicamp in mid-June.

BAXTER UPDATE--Browns safety Gary Baxter did not participate in practice but was seen running along the sidelines.

"Medically he's still rehabbing so when they get ready to put him out there they'll put him out there," Crennel said.

Baxter is trying to become the first player in NFL history to return to the field after rupturing patellar tendons in both knees.

In other injury news, receiver Joe Jurevicius (knee) and tight end Steve Heiden (back) both missed practice but were present at the team facility, according to Crennel. Safety Justin Sandy sat out practice with an undisclosed injury but was seen running on the field afterwards.

STARTING D-LINE--With four major players on the defensive line now in the mix there was some question as to who would begin practice on the field in the three spots available. During Wednesday's practice, Corey Williams played at left end, while Robaire Smith was at right end. Shaun Smith played at nose tackle.

However, when the team did its second round of team drills, Shaun Rogers replaced Smith at the nose spot.

With Smith having experience at both nose and end in the 3-4, the quartet is expected to rotate throughout the coming season.

LOTS OF DINKINS--With Winslow and Heiden out and rookies Rucker and Kolomona Kapanui absent, that left only two tight ends on the field Wednesday in Darnell Dinkins and Brad Cieslak.

That meant far more reps during practice than Dinkins is accustomed. While tiring, he enjoyed his time on the field.

"The last few days were real fun," Dinkins said. "I'm just really excited about the opportunity that's presented."

With six tight ends on the roster and likely only three or four to make the final regular season roster, Dinkins has an important preseason ahead.