The Browns are a week into training camp and just over a week away from their preseason opener. Following is a look back at the week that was, as well as a quick glance at what's ahead...
I believe they can fly.
Braylon Edwards continues to amaze. He makes the near-impossible catch look easy and beats double teams by sprinting past or jumping over defenders. He's dropped maybe two passes out of 400, and some of the balls he's caught would have been incompletions to just about anybody else. And here's what's really interesting: Kellen Winslow might have actually had a better week catching the ball than Edwards did. There's little reason to believe these guys won't pick up where they left off and even raise that bar this fall.
Large and very much in charge.
Shaun Rogers has been nothing short of dominant. His interception after he tipped the ball to himself Friday has probably been the signature moment of camp's first week, but he's performed at a high level throughout and has literally pushed his way through double teams - one hand on one blocker, the other on another - the way very few humans could. The Browns' run defense still has to get out and prove it's better, and Corey Williams' shoulder issue has kept him off the field since Saturday, but Rogers' presence alone is reason for optimism.
Building a wall.
Shaun Smith has certainly been the trash-talk MVP, but his value as a versatile guy along the defensive front has also been evident. Andra Davis has set a tone for his younger teammates by playing fast and physical. A fully-stocked rotation of linebackers would give the Browns the right mix of experience, athleticism, run-stopping ability and pass-rush skill. Watch closely in the first couple preseason games, but the key here is keeping everybody healthy and ready for some pretty tough battles ahead.
We watch the quarterbacks. Closely.
Not every pass has been on the money. Not every practice has been crisp. But those things happen during camp. Derek Anderson is noticeably bigger and more confident, and a DA with a little swagger might be a dangerous thing. Brady Quinn is grasping the offense and though he doesn't throw the deep ball as well as Anderson, he's thrown some beauties down the seam and to the sideline. During one drill on Sunday, chants from the overflow crowd of "DA! DA!" and "Brady, Brady" didn't seem to faze the targeted parties. So Ken Dorsey threw one on the money and gave the crowd a playful fist pump. Sure enough, the chants of "Dorsey, Dorsey" followed soon after. This is Cleveland. We love football, quarterbacks and chants. Lots and lots of chants.
Still truckin'.
Jamal Lewis is lighter and looks even younger than he did last season, which is an interesting way to say this guy is in amazing shape. The offensive linemen have taken a few tumbles courtesy of No. 92, but for the most part the line has clicked and should continue to play at a high level. There's unprecedented depth on the O-line even as they await the return of Ryan Tucker, and Lewis has produced significant gainers running both outside and in. He's delivered a few stiffarms in the open field as well, serving notice he's ready for another big year.
Pitching in.
Joshua Cribbs has had a semi-busy week. He's been covering kicks, returning kicks, taking more than the usual share of reps at receiver and lining up everywhere from the slot to the quarterback position as Rob Chudzinski unveils his Cribbs package little by little. Tuesday afternoon he was catching punts in one drill, heading for the corner with an option of throwing a pass in another and in one of the day's final drills he caught a pass from Quinn down the middle, split two defenders and outran them to the endzone. He's a pretty good guy to have on your team.
Don't forget about...
There's still concern about the young cornerbacks, but other than a quick scare Monday when Eric Wright left for a few minutes to get his ankle examined, there's been little reason to worry. And the Browns' decision-makers have to be pleased with the number of young and/or off-the-radar players who have flashed some ability and made some plays, including Alex Hall, Travis Thomas, Mike Adams, Travis Wilson and Lance Leggett. Some tough decisions - and probably some big moments - lie ahead.
