Defense enjoys productive day

07.25.2008

The dances could use a little work, but the Browns' defense threw itself a pick party Friday afternoon.

Two defenders brought their interceptions the other way - one in an easy glide, one in a memorable rumble through traffic.

You can guess which one was Shaun Rogers'.

The Browns' new big(gest) man showed off his athleticism late in practice when he tipped a Brady Quinn pass in the air, corralled it and then headed upfield - with a convoy - trying to replicate his touchdown return last season against the Broncos.

He didn't make it all the way to the endzone, but he did earn a rousing celebration from his teammates and a strong ovation from the overflow crowd.

Watch Shaun Rogers' interception here

Antwan Peek, Sean Jones and Brandon McDonald jumped on Rogers - literally - right after the play. Rogers and Robaire Smith then displayed a few choreographed dance moves before leaving the field.

"We're out there having fun," Smith said. "We know we've got to be serious in between the snaps, but if somebody does something, we're going to have fun with it. That's going to be one of our identities on the defensive line. We want to have more fun while we're playing."

One player who probably didn't have too much fun on the play was Lawrence Vickers, who was the first offensive player in the area trying to stop Rogers after the interception. Vickers received a stiffarm from Rogers for his troubles.

"I'm quite sure if that was live, that little fullback would have gotten run over," Smith said.

The other notable interception came from rookie linebacker Alex Hall, who was coming off the edge when he saw Jamal Lewis trying to sneak out of the backfield. In his next glance he saw the ball, and a few seconds later he was running untouched up the sideline.

"It was just a read," Hall said. "I read Jamal going out, so I knew it was some kind of screen. I looked up and the ball was right there. I just made the play."

Hall extended the ball in a bit of celebration after crossing the goal line, but his celebration was much more subdued than Rogers' for two reasons.

One, Hall said it was first-ever interception return touchdown.

"I didn't know what do," he said. "I was just happy I ran it in."

Two, he seemed much more impressed with Rogers' feat than his own.

"That's a big dude," Hall said. "He's a fast big guy. I don't know (you'd bring him down). Don't get in his way, I know that. That's a great athlete right there."