BEREA - The Browns might have to deal with more than the Raiders when they travel to Oakland for Sunday's game.
The "Pineapple Express" will be making an appearance, and it could make for an ugly day for both teams. The Pineapple Express is a term given to storm conditions that develop near the Hawaiian Islands and travel east to the Pacific shoreline.
The forecast for Sunday in Oakland calls for temperatures in the low 50s with winds gusting close to 30 mph. Flood conditions are expected from persistent rains.
The field at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum is natural, including a dirt baseball infield that covers part of the playing surface. NFL rules state that the dirt portion of the field must be covered.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur has no plans to alter his preparations because of the weather.
"Our guys do a pretty good job of holding on to the football," Shurmur said. "The challenge will be the same for both teams, and then we'll see what the conditions are like."
A sloppy field and windy conditions should put more of a focus on the ground games. It will be the first chance for the Browns to see what running back Trent Richardson can do in unfavorable weather.
"You try to factor in beating the defense you think you will see," offensive coordinator Brad Childress said. "I don't think they have a typhoon defense."
CHECK THE OFFICIALS: Childress wasn't pleased with the officiating crew that called plenty of holding penalties against both the Steelers and Browns. He was asked if he checks the names of the officials prior to each game to get an indication of how close the game will be called.
"We know if we feel like a crew has over-officious jerks, to quote (former Bills coach) Marv Levy," Childress said. "We have opinions about all those crews. Some fall into that category more than other."
Asked if he would put last Sunday's crew on that list, Childress said, "I'd leave that up to you (media) guys."
LOVE THAT GRASS: Offensive tackle Joe Thomas has no problem playing on a grass surface in rainy conditions. Artificial turf in the same situation is a totally different story.
"I hate artificial turf," Thomas said. "It's so hard on your body. (Artificial) turf is harder on your knees. I enjoy having a grass field.
"It's interesting. Sometimes those artificial fields when they get really wet, those little rubber pellets stick all over your body. Sometimes it's more slick than playing on a grass field."
INJURY UPDATE: Receiver Joshua Cribbs didn't practice for a second straight day. Cribbs is nursing a shoulder injury and is questionable for Sunday's game.
Safety Usama Young missed practice again with concussion symptoms. Expect to see rookie free agent Tashaun Gipson get his second straight starting assignment.
Safety Ray Ventrone (calf) also missed practice.
ADDING DEPTH: It appears that cornerback Dimitri Patterson will play for the first time since Oct. 7. Patterson, who's been out with an ankle injury, practiced Wednesday and Thursday.
"He's valuable when he's healthy and out there," Shurmur said. "The challenge for him is to get healthy. No one at this time of the year is 100 percent."
TV STARS: "The Travel Channel" will begin a series of shows on life with the Browns Tuesday at 10 p.m. The cable channel has had a crew following the Browns in every facet of the operations for several weeks, including in the office of owner James Haslam III.
