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Browns hope to have Lewis back
Zac Jackson, Staff Writer
10.16.2007
The Browns enter their bye week feeling good about the health of the team.
They've experienced their share of nicks and bruises, but they're relatively healthy with just one game left in October. Willie McGinest returned from back surgery three weeks ago, Kellen Winslow and Antwan Peek have played through pain and Jamal Lewis, who missed Sunday's win over Miami with a foot strain, doesn't appear to be seriously injured.

Browns Coach Romeo Crennel said he's hopeful Lewis will be 100 percent before the Browns' next game, Oct. 28 in St. Louis.

"We think we'll have Jamal back by the next game," Crennel said. "We'll continue to treat him, try to get him better and next week we'll see where he is on that."

Lewis suffered the injury on the first play of the Browns' Oct. 7 loss at New England. He didn't practice last week and was ruled out the day before the game, but the Browns didn't skip a beat without him. Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison combined to produce 160 yards of offense in Lewis' absence.

McGinest's return has meant more rest for Peek, who suffered a foot sprain in Week One and was limited in practice for the following three weeks. Winslow didn't miss any game time after suffering a shoulder injury on Sept. 30, and Joe Jurevicius caught 3 passes for 28 yards against the Dolphins despite being listed as questionable with a knee injury in the days before the game.

The offensive line depth improved when Ryan Tucker was activated from the reserve-suspended list earlier this month and could get another boost if LeCharles Bentley can come back from the torn patellar tendon he suffered in July 2006.

Bentley began this season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and is eligible to return to practice at anytime between this week and three weeks from now. If/when he does return, the Browns have a three-week window to evaluate his progress before making a roster decision.

"We can use that window any time this month -- it doesn't have to be this week," Crennel said. "I don't think we'll open it this week, (but) he's been making progress."

Crennel said Gary Baxter, who's on the active roster but is yet to play in any games, is also making progress.

"He's been improving every week, but he's not quite ready yet," Crennel said. "He's been working with the show team in practice. We just have to keep working with him and keep getting him more confident."

Crennel said the Browns came out of the Dolphins' game healthy. He said Kenny Wright re-entered the game after suffering an ankle injury, and D'Qwell Jackson turned an ankle late in the game but stayed in.

Oprheus Roye, one of the only starters who's missed a game, is back playing through his knee pain but Shaun Smith started in his place in the Miami game.

"Until (Roye) gets back to 100 percent, Shaun will be the guy," Crennel said.


Related Multimedia
Romeo Crennel Press Conference - Oct. 15, 2007
Browns-Dolphins Recap - Oct. 15, 2007
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Orpheus Roye
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Jamal Lewis

I don't want to jinx it... but, man it is nice that for once we don't have 12 guys on IR going into the bye week.

Losing seems to be proportionally related to the dreaded "season ending injury" somehow. Seems to seek out sucking squads. Winners want to be there, hurt or not. We have been snakebit. I am glad to see strength & conditioning upgrades helped. Nice to have vets out there. Wanna see Jamal rested & running hot!

Dem Browns! Gotta love 'em! And may the ELF be with us!

I agree. Kind of nice to have an O. Thomas IS awesome.

Dem Browns! Gotta love 'em! And may the ELF be with us!

Jerome Harrison is making me forget all about Jamal Lewis, when Zac Thomas has a rb squared up to floor him and he doesnt even get a single paw on the back, folks the back has something. You just dont make one of the best tacklers in the NFL look that bad and he did it more than once. That game should remind everyone why he was nicknamed the Ghost and it wasnt for vanishing on the bench.

Jerome showed some good running instincts, but Jamal has a rare combination of power and speed. He outlasts other defenses and when the 4th quarter comes along, and he can break their spirit. I think he adds an element of intimidation to this offense that is lacking without him.

I'm just happy I'm not the guy standing in Jamal's way when he's rumbling through the secondary with a full head of steam. Gotta be a scary site.

If Lewis is back for the Rams ; Whom else do you dress Harrison or Wright ? I for one want to see what Harrison can bring to the table !

After the last game, I'd prefer Harrison. He's a good change of pace back who can actually squeeze between the tackles.

The blocking style for this offense really fits well with Jeromes game. they seal they trap they create openings for a speed back. Its what I said in preseason, i would have kept both Harrison and Barclay on the active roster. They are just more of a threat.

WATER and MOURG...

i like Harrison more as a runner, and i said as much months ago (when most were saying Barclay should be the man), BUT...

when Jamal is healthy, 3rd down is the main role of the backup...that means 1. pass pro 2. receiving 3. rushing...and Wright is clearly favored in that role...i mean, it's great if Harrison can turn a run into 10yds when Wright would've had 4, but if he gets DA killed on a blitz 3 plays later, is it worth it?...

I agree. I do like Jamal, but I think he would flourish with more of a drive/man-blocking scheme where the big uglies push everyone back.

Out of shear ignorance and curiosity, are there any bigger backs that fit in with a zone blocking scheme?

We have the improved ( drastic ) play of the " OL " for starters & the much faster release of AD . Being able to block is important , buttttttttttttttttttt ! Not sure how much improved Harrison is on his blocking if any ! I hope we get the chance to find out . The kid can be a weapon ..

Quote:

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when Jamal is healthy, 3rd down is the main role of the backup...that means 1. pass pro 2. receiving 3. rushing...and Wright is clearly favored in that role...i mean, it's great if Harrison can turn a run into 10yds when Wright would've had 4, but if he gets DA killed on a blitz 3 plays later, is it worth it?...

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Well may be we should just bring Harrison in on plays where he doesn't have to block. That doesn't mean he's handed the ball, but he could run a route as well on third down.

I get the feeling that Harrison's big problem still might be fumbling. He was okay in the Miami game, but that's one game. There's plenty of bad blocking backs in the NFL. Harrison just might turn the ball over which is a real bad thing.

I do want to see more of the guy though, especially as a change of pace to Lewis. Lewis can wear them out and Harrison can burn them.

PETEY...

again, i'm all for Harrison earning more time...

as for him playing on 'non-blocking plays', i don't think that works...correct me if i;m wrong, but a lot of the times that a RB runs a route, he's gotta chip on someone before leaving the backfield...

Solid point DNA, blocking is important for a RB running a route on many plays. I didn't really think about that.

What I do know is that the smartest offense IMO is one which utilizes its weapons. Harrison might not be able to do some things, but we definitely should use him for the things he can do. He showed against Miami that may be he should get some looks or at least more chances until he proves otherwise. So I expect that he should be on the field more whether he can block or not because there must be plays which don't require RBs to block which can be used for him. And I think most will agree with me on that one

i agree...he played well in his limited opportunities...now it's Chud's job to make sure he gets some more chances...that is hard, though, if we're assuming he's an incomplete player...

e.g. i'd like to see him in two back sets with Lewis, but if you put him in, you're pulling out a good blocker (Vickers or Heiden) or a good receiver (Winlsow or JJ)...so until Harrison consistently produces with a small # of looks, especially against better D's, it's risky to give him significant playing time, IMO...