Browns hope Harrison can be 'special'

06.12.2008

Romeo Crennel says Browns running back Jerome Harrison is, in effect, a special kind of player.

"He's got a neat set of skills -- a unique set of skills," the head coach, speaking Thursday morning as the team wrapped up its three-day full-squad minicamp, said of Harrison's ability to use his quickness and ability to change directions on a dime to be a threat both as a runner and pass receiver.

But how "special" Harrison really is will determine just how much playing time he'll get in 2008.

"I told him that to get on the field this year he would have to be able to contribute on special teams," Crennel said. "There are only so many players you can take to the game, and last year Jerome got the short end of the stick at times because of not being a special teamer."

If Harrison can find a niche on special teams, be more versatile and thus roster-friendly, then he could be a real weapon for the Browns on passing downs. He displayed that throughout the minicamp, making a one-handed catch down the right sideline on Wednesday, and catching a pass in the left flat on Thursday and bobbing and weaving his way through defenders and into the end zone.

On those two plays and others, he looked like the player he was at Washington State, when he was a running and receiving star for two seasons. The Browns drafted him in the fifth round in 2006, and after not getting many opportunities as rookie, he made strides last year -- when he was able to dress -- by being the team's third-leading rusher with 142 yards on 23 tries (a healthy 6.2 yards-per-carry average).

"The game is slowing down for me a little bit now," Harrison said. "I'm more knowledgeable of the NFL, I know my reads better and I'm more familiar with the scheme.

"I've put in a lot of time on the books and in the classroom making sure I know what I'm doing."

Harrison knows he has to prove himself every day because of the crowded backfield situation that also includes Jamal Lewis, Jason Wright and Lawrence Vickers.

"When I get a chance, I need to make a play," he said. "Then when I make it, I've got to push to make the next one. I've got to press to keep getting better."

Though practices are over until training camp begins in six weeks, Harrison will continue to try to get better when he goes to Atlanta to work out with Lewis. He said it will get him in great shape, plus he plans to add about 12 pounds to get to 212 to be a little stronger and more physical.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, coming off his record-setting 2007 season, looked like a man among boys during the three days. His defensive teammates really struggled to cover him. He seems primed to have an even bigger year this time around.

PLAYS OF THE DAY: Rookie defensive back Darnell Terrell broke up a pass to wide receiver Lance Leggett up the right sideline. ... Quarterback Ken Dorsey showed his arm off twice, hitting rookie wide receiver Nate Hughes for a TD on a post pattern and then threading the needle on a crossing route to tight end Martin Rucker, another rookie. ... Quarterback Brady Quinn was right on target to Efrem Hill down the right sideline ... Quinn and wide receiver Travis Wilson made a nice connection on a quick slant route. ... Rookie outside linebacker Alex Hall showed off his athleticism while taking off with a fumble on a running play.

DETERMINED: Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was back at practice after missing the first two days because of a death in his family in California. To make it, he took the red-eye to Cleveland, getting in at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

JUST VISITING: Former Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano took in practice on Thursday. He analyzes the team for two Cleveland TV stations and wanted to get one last look at it before the offseason ended and the players began to scatter for vacations and some rest and relaxation. The first player he sought out was director of player personnel T.J. McCreight, who Rutigliano coached at Liberty University in the late 1980s and early '90s.