Browns notes: Stallworth misses first day of camp with sore hamstring
The Chronicle-Telegram Staff
Scott Petrak and Brian Dulik
The Chronicle-Telegram
BEREA — Donte Stallworth, the team’s top offensive acquisition in the offseason, spent his first Browns training camp practice without a helmet.
The receiver, scheduled to start opposite Braylon Edwards, injured his hamstring working out on his own in preparation for camp and didn’t practice Wednesday. No timetable was given for his return, but the injury isn’t believed to be serious.
“He’s a little sore,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “He’s working with the trainers. When he gets ready, he’ll be back.”
Stallworth, signed as a free agent from the New England Patriots, tried to remain active during the one-hour practice. He helped the coaches direct receiver drills and paid attention as the first-team offense installed plays.
The Browns are also missing Joe Jurevicius, a starter last year who was supposed to be the third receiver in 2008. Jurevicius is recovering from his fourth knee surgery of the offseason, including three to clean out a staph infection. He was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list and is expected to miss the entire preseason.
General manager Phil Savage said the team must decide Aug. 26 — when rosters are cut from 80 to 75 — whether to put Jurevicius on the regular-season PUP list, which would force him to miss the first six weeks.
“Joe’s a little up in the air right now,” Savage said. “We’re still hopeful to have him. It could be for the first part of the season, it may be a little bit later down the line.”
In the absence of Stallworth and Jurevicius, journeyman Kevin Kasper worked with the starters. Travis Wilson and Joshua Cribbs will also see increased repetitions.
“It’s more of an opportunity for these other guys, like Travis Wilson and Syndric Steptoe,” Crennel said. “We’ll have to see how they do. If they take the bull by the horns, then they’ll have a great opportunity to help us.”
Status quo
Savage said the Browns have no interest in signing former Chargers wide receiver Eric Parker or ex-Broncos running back Mike Bell. Parker, who has had some success in the league as a wideout and return man, was mentioned in various trade rumors before being released by San Diego.
“At this point, we’re going to really find out more about our young receivers,’’ Savage said. “The third receiver could be pivotal or maybe not.”
The GM said passing on Bell was strictly a numbers game and that he’s comfortable with Jamal Lewis’ backups in the backfield.
“We did go 2-0 without Jamal last year,’’ Savage pointed out. “This year, we want to get some expanded playing time for Jerome Harrison, who is an exciting player. The coaches also feel good about Jason Wright, and people forget that Lawrence Vickers is a pretty decent runner himself. He could be useful in a one-back set, as well.”
Around the corner
Savage had high praise for second-year pro Brandon McDonald, who will start at cornerback alongside Eric Wright.
“Brandon has got good talent and some charisma, and a little bit of the ‘it’ factor,” Savage said. “He missed OTAs, but he’s been here the whole summer working hard.”
He added that the team has such confidence in Wright and McDonald, it hasn’t been burning up the phone lines looking for a more experienced corner.
“We’ve made a few calls, but nothing has changed too much,’’ Savage said.
Injury update
Tackle Ryan Tucker (hip surgery) may miss all of training camp, but has not officially been declared out. Tucker was placed on the PUP/active list Wednesday, which gives the Browns a month to decide on his status for the regular season.
“Everyone else is out there and participating at some level,” Savage said.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com and Brian Dulik at sports@ohio.net.
CAMP LOG
NEWS OF THE DAY: Training camp opened with an abbreviated one-hour practice. The players weren’t in pads and there were no team drills. Contact will begin today.
• Receiver Joe Jurevicius (knee/staph) and offensive lineman Ryan Tucker (hip) were placed on the active/physically unable to perform list and won’t practice for the foreseeable future.
• Receiver Donte Stallworth (hamstring) didn’t practice.
CAMPERS OF THE DAY: The fans. There were a lot of them, and they were vocal, despite watching a glorified walkthrough.
PLAY OF THE DAY: The team thanked the fans for making the trip by having nearly all the players sign autographs for
15 minutes following practice.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Four and a half.” – Quarterback Derek Anderson, with a wry smile, when asked about a rumor that he developed six-pack abs in the offseason. He started to lift his jersey, but stopped before showing the media the evidence.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE: Camp’s first two-a-day, with practices from 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Call (877)
627-6967 for updates.
— Scott Petrak
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Filed by The Chronicle-Telegram Staff July 24th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 6% |
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