Browns notes: Jamal Lewis’ status for Sunday’s opener to be game-time decision
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
BEREA — Running back Jamal Lewis was limited in practice for the third straight day Friday and was officially listed as questionable for the opener Sunday with a sore hamstring.
Lewis missed the last two preseason games, but lined up with the first-team offense during a walkthrough Friday in the half-hour of practice open to reporters. Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison would likely split the carries if Lewis can’t play.
“Jamal is a different kind of player that we’re dealing with, and those guys they’re not to Jamal’s level,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “We understand that, but they do bring something to the table and they’ll help this team.
“Between the two of them, they might be able to live up to what Jamal gives us.”
Crennel said Lewis, kick returner Joshua Cribbs (ankle), safety Brodney Pool (concussion) and guards Rex Hadnot (knee) and Ryan Tucker (hip) would be game-time decisions. Pool, Hadnot and Tucker didn’t practice Friday.
“I’m going to wait and give those guys every opportunity before I make a decision about whether they’re playing or not,” Crennel said.
Tucker returned to practice this week, but wanted to take it slowly to ensure no setbacks. Hadnot hasn’t practiced since spraining his knee versus the Bears on Aug. 28, but the Browns are thin on the line.
“If I need him, I need him,” Crennel said.
Rookie tight end Martin Rucker (knee) and special teamer Kris Griffin (elbow) are out. Kicker Phil Dawson (back) was added to the injury report Friday as probable and was limited in practice.
Bad memory
The last time Kellen Winslow played the Cowboys, he was a rookie in 2004 at Texas Stadium. He broke his leg in the final seconds trying to recover an onside kick.
“I played pretty well my second game of the year when I was a rookie, so it’s going to be exciting to play them again,” Winslow said. “Probably back then I was just running around wild. I didn’t have training camp to go through per se when I was a rookie. I’m just a better player now.”
Winslow is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns.
One more decision
A new rule this year allows the team that wins the pregame coin flip to defer its choice until the second half. In the past, the winner of the flip elected to kick or receive to open the game, then the other team got the choice in the second half.
Crennel said he’s been thinking about what to do all offseason, and doesn’t like the change.
“It’s just another decision that gets added onto the plate, something else for everybody to evaluate and say you did a bad job,” he said with a laugh. “A lot of things go into it. I tell the players that the ball is the most important thing, so I don’t know if I want to give it up.”
Especially because offense is the team’s strength.
No cameras, please
Crennel said he wouldn’t be open to hosting “Hard Knocks,” the HBO series that goes behind the scenes at an NFL training camp. The Cowboys were featured this year.
“I don’t see myself doing that,” Crennel said. “You are trying to get things done and there’s a camera in the room and human nature tells a guy to look at the camera. Maybe he might not ask a question that he would ask if there was no camera in the room.
“But they are a different team than we are and a different philosophy. They embrace that and I embrace what I embrace.”
Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens was featured prominently on the show.
“Guys had fun with it,” he said. “I didn’t feel they were intrusive.”
Extra points
Crennel said linebacker Antwan Peek stayed in the hospital Thursday night following surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon. Crennel talked to Peek and said he wants to try to come back next season.
• Rookie linebacker Beau Bell, questionable as he recovers from knee surgery, may be forced into a role on special teams Sunday with Griffin out.
• The rain moved the Browns inside for practice.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.
| |
|
Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram September 6th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 12% |
 Email this story
 Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
Report an innappropriate comment
|
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement
and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here. If you are registered, click here to log in.
Write a Comment