Berea—The early returns on offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s new offense
are in and they are favorable—at least from the receivers and running backs.
“The new offense is great,” Jamal Lewis said. “We move a lot of people
around. There are a lot of shifts and disguising of what we’re doing.”
Braylon Edwards also chimed in on the new system.
“I think we’ll be very unpredictable,” he said. “This offense could be
something special if we continue to make the strides like we have.”
Edwards said learning the terminology is an adjustment.
“It’s like anything new, the language is what takes getting used to,” he
said. “(The receivers) are all over the place. It’s about concepts and we’re
learning and getting better.”
Joe Jurevicius thinks the offense will bode well for him and allow him to use
his height to his advantage.
“For me, (the new offense) is kind of conducive for big receivers,” he said.
“There is a lot of routes that we can run and body up and use our strength and
our stride…to our advantage.”
Jurevicius thinks the system will be installed and ready for the season.
“I think it’s difficult now because it’s so new,” he said. “Not only do you
have to lineup right, you have to know what routes you’re supposed to run and
know how your supposed to run them.
“By the time we’re done with minicamps and OTA’s, we should have it down and
ready for training camp.”
Jurevicius thinks the Browns will be able to utilize their weapons on
offense.
“There’s a lot of movement,” he said. “That’s a positive thing for a football
team. We’re trying to get guys open and confuse the defense. I think everything
we’re doing now is laying a foundation for being a successful team.”
Lewis is coming off having bone spurs removed from his ankle. He said he was
at 90-95 percent last season.
Notes
Lewis Feeling Good: There’s no question the Browns are counting on RB
Jamal Lewis to be a key role in the team’s offense after trading away RB Reuben Droughns. Lewis said he’s up for the challenge.
“I feel so much better than I did the last two years,” he said. “I’m not
there yet, but I will be 100 percent by training camp.”
Lewis feels he will be a workhorse in the offense and he welcomes the load.
“I think we will be downhill (running),” he said. “I think we’ll be doing a
lot of pounding with the fullback leading.”
Braylon Mum on Missing First Day: WR Braylon Edwards wouldn’t say why
he missed the first OTA a week ago.
“It was one day I couldn’t be here,” Edwards said. “There was a family
emergency. I don’t want to get into it and leave it at that.”
Crennel took the same route when asked.
“He called and had a personal issue,” he said. “Let’s move forward.”
Crennel was asked why Edwards was running with the third team.
“There’s no significance at all to it,” he said. “He’s trying to learn the
new system. He did miss a day and he was working with the second- and
third-teams.”
Edwards said he isn’t bothered by where he is on the depth chart.
“It’s May 29,” he said. “What matters is in September.”
On Brady: Crennel was asked about QB Brady Quinn’s improvement in his
first week.
“He’s picking up the system,” he said. “He’s a willing student.”
Quinn appeared to be off target on several of his throws, including an
interception by DB Therrian Fontenot.
Williams Surgery: Crennel said that LB Leon Williams had arthroscopic
surgery on his ankle to remove bone spurs and is still rehabbing. That is
believed to be the first report of Williams having off-season surgery… CB Leigh Bodden and LB Mason Unck spent the practice jogging up the hill, formerly known
as ‘Mt. Belichick’… TE Kellen Winslow did not practice, but was running on the
side without a limp. He also did not have a brace on his knee. Winslow declined
to talk to reporters.
“I haven’t done anything, yet,” he said.