Browns fitting into new rotation
BROWNS NOTES Steve Doerschuk Repository sports writer
BEREA -- Here’s how it’ll go in 2005 with Team Crennel.
You win a position, you stay on the field; you tie, you share.
Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel sees a few ties. Thus, some players will rotate at certain positions when the Bengals visit Cleveland for the season opener Sept. 11.
Two safety positions will be handled by a three-man rotation of Brian Russell, a veteran free-agency pickup; Sean Jones, last year’s second-round pick; and Chris Crocker, who beat out Earl Little last year.
Prized rookie safety Brodney Pool hasn’t played since suffering a concussion on the opening kickoff of the preseason. If he plays Thursday at Chicago and looks good, what happens to the rotation?
“Then I’d have to make one of those tougher coaching decisions,” said Crennel, who sees four as a crowd.
Crennel is leaning toward a three-man rotation for the two inside linebacker spots, including Andra Davis, Orlando Ruff and Ben Taylor. Ruff plays the run better than Taylor, but is no match for Taylor as a pass defender.
Crennel will have to make a decision at running back when Lee Suggs comes back from a high ankle sprain. Suggs won’t face the Bears, which means his preseason will end after just three carries.
“We have two guys who can rotate at one spot,” Crennel said. William Green and Reuben Droughns figure to split time at Chicago and vs. the Bengals.
The Browns might take it easy with Suggs, bringing him back in Game 2 or 3.
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EYES ON SIMON: The Browns have considered pursuing defensive lineman Corey Simon, but aren’t interested in running back Maurice Clarett. Simon, 28, was the No. 6 pick of the 2000 draft, in which Courtney Brown was the top pick. Unlike Brown, Simon has been durable, starting 78 of the Eagles’ 80 regular-season games in his five years and getting loads of postseason experience. He has been a 4-3 tackle, and the Browns would have to be convinced the 6-foot-2, 293-pounder could prosper as a 3-4 end. Simon played at Florida State, as did Browns defensive end Orpheus Roye. The Eagles thought enough of Simon to slap the franchise tag on him Feb. 22, but he wanted a long-term deal and held out of training camp. The Eagles removed the franchise tag Sunday, making him a free agent. “We’re looking at (Simon’s) situation to determine what course of action we want to take,” said Crennel, who added, “In football, you’re always looking to improve your team, whatever the position.” ... Maurice Clarett is expected to be released by Denver. “We have three quality runners,” said Crennel, who is not in the market for a rusty runner with an attitude.
MEDICAL REPORT: Starting right guard Cosey Coleman said the wrist injury that knocked him out of the Carolina game isn’t serious. “I’ll go through my normal routine this week,” Coleman said. ... Rookie wideout Braylon Edwards practiced Monday after getting banged around in the Carolina game. His biggest issue is catching up in the wake of his holdout. “That missed time is showing up,” Crennel said. “If he’d been here those days, maybe he’d have lined up correctly. Maybe we wouldn’t have had to use a timeout.”
FRYE GOES FIRST: In the battle to become Trent Dilfer’s top backup, Charlie Frye will be the first on the field after Dilfer’s short shift ends at Chicago. Crennel indicated it’s Frye’s turn, since Doug Johnson followed Dilfer into the Carolina game. “We’ll make the evaluation of who is No. 2 after the game,” Crennel said. Crennel likes that Frye publicly stressed the importance of supporting the starter, Dilfer.
FOOT NOTE: Crennel said punter Kyle Richardson beat out incumbent Derrick Frost because he was more consistent and “hit the ball a little bit further at times.” The most notable cuts Sunday were Frost and veteran linebacker Brant Boyer. Crennel judged that the undersized Boyer wasn’t a good fit for his scheme.
