When the whole Lee Suggs trade fiasco went down during the middle of
August, The OBR was the first and only source to report that the reason
for the running back failing his physical with the Jets was due to arthritis in
his knee.
Yesterday, Suggs himself confirmed that fact to the South
Florida media.
“They
said I had a little bit of arthritis in my knee,” Suggs said of the Jets
medical staff.
“I don't know too many football players that don't. Their doctors had different
standards than they do here just like they are different than they are in Cleveland. They made that
decision and I had to deal with it.”
Suggs, by the way, passed his physical with
Miami.
*****
Suggs also took a little parting shot at the city he left behind when asked what
his reaction was after finding out he was claimed off waivers by the Dolphins.
“No more snow. Get to get out of
Cleveland.”
*****
Hank Fraley,
acquired Saturday in a trade from the Eagles,
did not work with the first-team offense during the portion of practice open
to the media yesterday. Instead, Lennie Friedman worked as the
starter.
However, it would be more than a mild surprise if the seven-year veteran wasn’t
in the starting lineup coming come Sunday against the Saints.
For his part, Fraley feels that he’ll be knowledgeable enough in the offense to
be considered a go for the regular-season opener.
“I
feel comfortable even though I haven't taken any reps or plays yet,” Fraley told
reporters before practice.
“I feel comfortable enough to get in there and play. We have two veteran guards
in there that know the playbook and can help me out. I feel comfortable with the
calls having studied the past couple of nights.”
*****
Much like the Fraley-Friedman situation, the starter at inside linebacker will
be determined toward the end of the week.
D’Qwell Jackson
seemingly held a firm grip on the starting position, but several slip-ups—most
notably in the passing game—have opened the door for Chaun Thompson to
retake the position he held at the beginning of training camp.
Thompson is 100% healthy after suffering a calf injury that forced him out of
the first two pre-season games and allowed the rookie Jackson to supplant him as
the starter.
*****
Speaking of starts, Braylon Edwards will likely not get one Sunday, but
is expected to see plenty of action and be a big part of the offensive game
plan.
“Braylon
is going to play in the game, no question about that in my mind,” Crennel said.
“And I think that he’s going to make plays in the game.”
The game Sunday will mark yet another step in the amazing progress of the wide
receiver, who was not expected to return to action until the beginning of
October at the earliest.
*****
Some fans and media types have expressed concern in the past regarding the fact
that general manager Phil Savage spends so much time away from Berea on
college scouting trips.
In fact, those trips were reportedly one of the sources of friction between
Savage and John Collins.
While some may be concerned about his time spent away from the office and on the
road, Savage is not. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Savage does not see
himself setting up shop behind a desk for quite some time.
“Maybe
in five or six years, if we get this organization where we hope to get it, I'll
want to sit behind the desk more," Savage is quoted as saying in this morning’s
Bud Shaw column.
"That would be the time to do it. But with the energy level I have now and
how important I think it is for me to be out there, I don't think I'll be
doing that anytime soon."
*****
After releasing Nick Speegle, Corey McIntyre and Frisman
Jackson on Saturday, the Browns spent significant time yesterday working on
special teams.
The three veterans were
key components
on nearly all of the special teams units and the Browns are hoping their
replacements can come from somebody already on the roster.
*****
If Brian Russell is unable to play Sunday, Sean Jones would move
from the strong safety position and
start in Russell’s place at free safety. Brodney Pool would
then take over Jones’ spot at strong safety.
Yesterday, a source told The OBR it is “highly, highly unlikely” that
Russell—recovering from surgery to remove an inflamed bursa sac in his
elbow—would be available, even though head coach Romeo Crennel has called
the veteran a game-time decision.
*****
Running back William Green, placed on injured reserve with a quad injury
during the final round of cuts,
has not been seen in Berea since the move.
The Browns are attempting to reach an injury settlement with the five–year
veteran. If that were to happen, Green would then be released and free to
sign with any team, including the Browns.
However, the Browns have almost no interest in retaining Green, unless an injury
to one of the three tailbacks would occur. Even then, Green would likely
not have any interest in a return to Cleveland.
*****
Adam Schefter
of the NFL Network reports that
the Browns have worked out
quarterbacks Dave Ragone and Mike McMahon in recent days.
The veteran QBs were released by the Rams and Vikings, respectively, over the
weekend.
*****
The Cowboys signed defensive tackle J’Vonne Parker, who was released by
the Browns on Sunday after the club claimed defensive end Jovan Haye off
waivers.
*****
FAST FACT:
In the Browns last twenty games, including this pre-season, they have exactly
four rushing touchdowns. They had zero touchdowns on the ground in the
four pre-season games this year.
*****
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We might call things potatoes.
They might call them tomatoes.” — head
coach Romeo Crennel, on the adjustment to different terminology facing
newly-acquired center Hank Fraley.
QUOTE OF THE DAY, THE SEQUEL: “Tackle him.” — Crennel,
on the key to stopping Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush.
QUOTE OF THE DAY, THE FINALE:
“I've
been talking to the players about having a role on the team. The role changes
from day to day and, in some cases, week to week. One week, I may be the star,
but the next week the game plan might not allow me to be the star. Sometimes we
get caught up in who's going to start. The thing that's important is how well
they play. Braylon is going to play, no question about it. I think he's going to
make plays in the game to help us win.” — Crennel,
turning into a philosopher when asked about Braylon Edwards starting this
week.