BEREA - Browns coach Pat Shurmur might get a few more visits from owner James Haslam III than normal this week.
Haslam, who assumed ownership in October, was a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers the previous four years. His sudden change of loyalties will make Sunday's game between the Browns and Steelers a little more special.
"I told the players this: all the games count one, but when you're playing this game there is obviously more emotion attached to it," Shurmur said. "I don't want to speak for Jimmy, but I would imagine there's more emotion involved with this one than some of the others."
Shurmur is 0-2 in games against the Steelers. The last Browns coach to not have a losing record against the Steelers was Chris Palmer, who had a 2-2 record in 1999-2000. Marty Schottenheimer was the last Browns coach to have a winning record (7-2 from midway through the 1984 season through 1988).
Although the Steelers have dominated the rivalry for a long time (29-4 since 1993), Shurmur still considers it a true rivalry.
"I feel the passion," he said. "I had neighbors and people in the community that tell me how important it is and what it means to beat the Steelers. Playing the games you feel that. I know our players know, and I know our young players are being educated about it."
WRONG WAY: Trent Richardson has had trouble picking up first downs and scoring touchdowns in short-yardage situations. In the 23-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, Richardson came up short of the goal line trying to dive over the line. It turns out that Richardson hit the wrong hole.
"He probably could have been a hole wider," offensive coordinator Brad Childress said.
GETTING CLOSE: Cornerback Joe Haden practiced Wednesday as he tries to return from an oblique injury that sidelined him against the Cowboys last Sunday. Cornerback Dimitri Patterson wasn't as fortunate. Patterson missed practice and will likely miss a sixth straight game with an ankle injury. Cornerback Buster Skrine was another no-show with a head injury.
FOURTH CAPTAIN: Rookie defensive back Johnson Bademosi has been selected the fourth captain. Bademosi, who wasn't drafted coming out of Stanford, has impressed coaches and teammates with his play on special teams. Bademosi was forced into action at cornerback last Sunday with Haden, Patterson and Skrine out.
"We really like Johnson," defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. "He's really into it and clearly he's a tough guy. He wants to do it as well as he can possibly do it. He works at it all the time."
LOCAL TALENT: Lucas Brill of Warren will compete in the boys' 8-9 age division at the annual Punt, Pass & Kick Team Championships Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Browns' practice facility. Age group winners in boys' and girls' competition will be announced at halftime of the Browns-Steelers game.
INJURY REPORT: In addition to Patterson and Skrine, safety Ray Ventrone (calf) didn't practice. Limited in practice were receiver Josh Cooper (knee), Haden and defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin (calf/back).
Not able to practice for the Steelers were receiver Jericho Cotchery (ribs), tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle), defensive end Evander Hood (back), quarterback Byron Leftwich (ribs), safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder). Receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) was limited.
