BEREA - Playing at the new Cowboys Stadium offers unique distractions.
Namely, the huge screens that hang from the ceiling are unlike anything else in the NFL. Fans reportedly get a better view of the game watching the big screens than watching the game itself.
While at Oklahoma State, Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden practiced in the stadium in its first year of operation in 2009. He was awed by the screens.
"It's unbelievable," Weeden said. "I joke but I'm serious. If you're sitting right in the middle of the stadium, there's no way you can watch the game. This thing takes up too much space. It's overwhelming if you're sitting in the stands."
Browns coach Pat Shurmur made sure to remind the players about the importance of looking ahead and not up at the screens when they play the Cowboys on Sunday.
"Every time we play an away game I talk about not letting the venue become a distraction," Shurmur said. "The sights and sounds of every stadium are different than what we see here in town."
WELL RESTED: The bye week might have been the best form of tonic for Browns running back Trent Richardson. Richardson has dealt with health issues dating back to last February when he had arthroscopic knee surgery. He had another arthroscopic procedure in August to alleviate pain, which sidelined him the entire preseason.
Richardson then suffered a rib injury in the second week of the season. He's still dealing with pain from that injury.
"With my ribs I have no problem doing things I did two weeks ago," Richardson said. "I'm not 100 percent. I am still working on it, and I will get to 100 percent soon, hopefully."
SPEAKING UP: Receiver Greg Little addressed the players last Monday. Little felt the need to talk to his teammates after a lengthy meeting he had with former basketball star Alonzo Mourning during the bye week. Mourning stressed to Little the importance of getting maximum performance by getting rid of outside influences such as twitter. Little hasn't tweeted since September.
"He called me late last week and asked if he could talk in the first team meeting," Shurmur said. "At that time we didn't talk about what he was going to say, but I thought his comments were insightful and I was glad that he did it. I've always appreciated Greg because he's a competitor and he's a tough guy."
FOURTH CAPTAIN: Tight end Benjamin Watson has been named the fourth captain. The selection was made by regular captains D'Qwell Jackson, Phil Dawson and Joe Thomas.
CHANGES COMING?: Going into the bye week, Shurmur said that he would evaluate the roster with the thought of perhaps making some changes. He wouldn't say yesterday if there will be any changes Sunday.
"I'll leave that for Sunday," Shurmur said. "Maybe yes. Maybe no. I think maybe yes."
NOT MANY: The Browns are one of six teams that have a series advantage over the Cowboys, 17-12. The other five are Baltimore, Denver, Jacksonville, Miami and Oakland.
INJURY REPORT: Limited for the Browns were cornerback Joe Haden (oblique), defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin (calf) and cornerback Buster Skrine (ankle).
Out of practice for the Cowboys were offensive lineman Ryan Cook (knee), center Phil Costa (ankle), cornerback Mike Jenkins (back), safety Matt Johnson (hamstring), defensive tackle Sean Lissemore (ankle), running back DeMarco Murray (foot) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (knee).
