Rookie Jackson to start at Philly
By Steve King, Staff Writer
August 7, 2006
Romeo Crennel Press Conference 8-7-06
D'Qwell Jackson
Photo By John H. Reid III
When he was in college, D'Qwell Jackson always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Now that he's in the NFL, nothing has changed even though he has yet to play in a game.
Jackson, who in 2005 became only the second Maryland player in history to win Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors, will start at inside linebacker alongside Andra Davis in the Browns' preseason opener at Philadelphia on Thursday night.
This move was made by the Browns after Chaun Thompson suffered a strained calf in last Friday night's intrasquad scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Jackson, who was waiting in the wings as a backup, took over the spot. How long he holds it remains to be seen, but the fact remains this is a great situation for Jackson.
"D'Qwell's in a position where the guy he's competing with has an injury," Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said following Monday morning's training camp practice. "That guy with the injury doesn't play, and that elevates him right away. Then we'll find out if we should keep giving him reps or not.
"See, that's the thing about this game. It's opportunity. Sometimes guys never get opportunity, so they don't get to show as much. Then, sometimes they get the opportunity and they can show that they can play and deserve to play. Then there is a story, and you write a story about it.
Continue Reading about Jackson and the starting job
INJURY UPDATE: Thompson spent much of the morning practice riding an exercise bike. "His muscle feels a little bit better, so well see how it goes," Crennel said. ...
Cornerback Gary Baxter watched part of practice from the sidelines, with his knee wrapped, after he "tweaked" it during a drill, according to the coach. ... To help their surgically-repaired knees, Crennel limited the workload of
wide receiver Braylon Edwards and
tight end Kellen Winslow. Crennel said they would fully participate in the afternoon practice. ...
Running back Chris Barclay (ankle) is starting to do a little running. ...
Tight end Darnell Dinkins (ankle) is still in a boot but is feeling better. In fact, he worked on catching passes off the tire machine after practice ...
Offensive guard Isaac Sowells (ankle) remains in a boot.
NO SWEAT: Crennel addressed the problems the Browns are having with the center-quarterback exchange, especially when
quarterback Derek Anderson and rookie
center Rob Smith are working together. "Rob is kind of like me," Crennel said. "When he gets hot and sweaty, he perspires quite a bit and sometimes it drips on the ball. During this camp, with the heat and humidity, he is perspiring on the ball and the quarterback isn't quiet ready for it in those instances. But still, it is the quarterback's job to stay with the center until he gets control of the ball. When you have two men involved, it's a two-man operation, but the quarterback needs to know his center and who he's working with. Whether he's the tall guy, the short guy, the sweaty guy or the dry guy, he has to be able to hang with him."
PLAYS OF THE MORNING: New
cornerback Ralph Brown stood out twice, breaking up a
Charlie Frye pass intended for
wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, and then a
Lang Campbell pass intended for
wide receiver Carlton Brewster.
CROWD PLEASER: Running back Reuben Droughns is always among the most accommodating Browns when it comes to signing autographs for everyone who wants one. He did so again in the morning, still obliging the fans long after all of the rest of his teammates had headed into the locker room.
IN THE HOUSE: There were 1,327 fans at the morning practice.
UP NEXT: The Browns will practice Monday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 and then again Tuesday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. These will be their final practices in Berea before going to Philadelphia. They will next practice in Berea on Saturday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. For updated practice information, call the Browns training camp hotline at 1-877-627-6967.
