Browns Blog

Going outside

Actually, playing actual games is what players enjoy the most. Practicing can be a nuisance and the reason they think their high salaries are deserved.

But after the boredom of weight training, getting out on the plush grass at the team's Berea facility and beginning OTAs (offseason training activities) has to be a relief. It's a good time of the year for coaches that have been sitting in offices wondering what the team will look like next season. Now they get a chance to see if their thoughts are accurate.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel will be monitoring many issues during the 12 OTA practices, which lead up to a three-day minicamp in the second week of June.

For starters, Crennel has to be anxious to see if quarterback Derek Anderson has made strides. Everyone knows Anderson can throw the deep ball as well as any quarterback. He needs to show better accuracy on short and mid-range routes.

Quarterback Brady Quinn will be under the microscope. He did his duty by sitting on the bench last seaosn and learning the NFL game. He's now ready to show that he can be trusted running the offense if he's inserted for any reason.

Crennel will keep a close watch on 28-year-old running back Jamal Lewis, who's entering his ninth season. The Browns got a lot of mileage out of Lewis last season (1,304 yards). The hope is that Lewis will remain healthy and have another productive season, which would buy valuable time until a running back is undoubtedly a high 2009 draft pick.

It will be interesting to see if tight end Kellen Winslow attends the voluntary practices. Winslow, who's recovering from another knee surgery, isn't ready for physical work, but you'd think that he'd attend the workouts as a sign of commitment.

Winslow hired agent Drew Rosenhaus to take care of what could be a messy contract renegotiation that he thinks he deserves. The front office thinks there's no need to do another contract because he has two years left on his current deal.

The Browns are understandably concerned about Winslow's damaged right knee. There seems to be a feeling that his productive seasons could be dwindling to an end, which means another long-term contract isn't necessary.

Among big questions on defense is what kind of shape lineman Shaun Rogers is in more than halfway through the offseason? A well-conditioned, motivated Rogers would be a big boost for the line.

It will be interesting to see what impact defensive end Corey Williams will make up front. The Browns gave a second-round draft choice to Green Bay to acquire Williams' services, which means Crennel is expecting big things from him.

Who's going to step up at cornerback? Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are looked at as probable starters, but each is in just his second season.

Also of interest on the defensive side is first draft pick (in the fourth round) Beau Bell. Bell looks the part of a run-stuffing inside linebacker, but he's taking a big step from the competition he faced at UNLV.

The defense needs to improve against the run. Rogers and Williams should help up front. If Bell is the real deal, he'll eventually replace Andra Davis and give the interior of the defense a tougher, more aggressive look.

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