Readers: I refrained from using "Sanders gets shot", this time.
Vingt! Monday marked the twentieth day of training camp -- a session that was only open to the media. Thanks to some of Cleveland's great local media coverage -- including the OBR, the Plain Dealer, and the official site -- there is news to be told. The news starts with the man who was promoted to the first team in place of Braylon Edwards, at least for now...
TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 20 (8/11/08)
- Hailing from East High: That's right: Steve Sanders saw the majority of his playing time with the first team on Monday, ahead of the likes of Joshua Cribbs, Travis Wilson, and Syndric Steptoe. The local media is reporting that the team is very pleased with Sanders' development, and could actually be giving him a legitimate chance to make the team. He reportedly caught just about everything that came his way on Day 1. Granted, I envision Travis Wilson being ahead of Sanders on the depth chart come Week 1, but I'd also love to see Sanders receive the opportunity to start against the New York Giants this Monday.
- Speaking Of Wilson: I completely disagree with Maria Ridenour's suggestion that the team has seen enough of Travis Wilson (in a turned off way). I still believe that the team is very pleased with his progression as the team's slot receiver, and they don't want to disrupt that by suddenly throwing the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver playbook at him (after all, it took him three years to get the No. 3 down pat).
- Injury Front is Positive: Guess who participated in team drills on Monday? Seth McKinney. Steve Heiden. Kellen Winslow. Lawrence Vickers. Heck, if Edwards hadn't gotten hurt, we'd have just about a full squad right now. Still, the lone duck having to sit out is Kevin Kasper, whose roster odds are slipping by the second.
- Tucker & Peek: The news is positive with Ryan Tucker and Antwan Peek as well. Tucker's rehab has progressed smoothly, and he could return to camp around the fourth preseason game. Peek is still scheduled to be ready for the season opener against Dallas.
- Baxter Could Return: Via Tony Grossi and Sirius Radio, Gary Baxter asked for his release so that the team didn't have to place him on the injured reserve. Now, he can rehab by himself, and if he's ready around Week 2 or later, he can either give it another go with the Browns, or another team. He made it clear that he is not retiring.
- Winslow Throws TD: The play of the day was the first one in the 11-on-11 session, according to the OBR. Derek Anderson stepped back and threw a lateral pass to Kellen Winslow, who then turned and threw a perfect spiral to a wide open Jamal Lewis for a touchdown.
- Second Quarter: As expected, head coach Romeo Crennel confirmed that the starters will play into the second quarter against the Giants on Monday Night. Remember: the Browns play the Giants during the regular season, so we might be overly cautious with the plays we call (as teams often are anyway in the preseason).
- Adams > Cousin: Grossi also reports that DB Mike Adams continues to appear to have the edge on DB Terry Cousin for the nickel back job since he is lining up in the position ahead of him.
- Slot for Steptoe: Along with Wilson, Syndric Steptoe saw action in the slot with the starting team and performed well. Right now, it looks like Edwards, Stallworth, and Wilson are locks. Assuming Joe Jurevicius is out several weeks and Kevin Kasper doesn't make the team due to being out, then the fourth and fifth receiver jobs could definitely go to Sanders and Steptoe..."how about that..."
- Pool's Athleticism: Andre Knott of WTAM is impressed with the athleticism of safety Brodney Pool, as demonstrated in a highlight play today in which he flew across the field to wrestle a pass away from TE Darnell Dinkins.
East High graduate WR Steve Sanders is working with the first team in camp now. Is he simply a placeholder, or he is finally being given his chance to shine?
Here is your link collection for the information above:
Sanders relishes chance to play with first team (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cabot)
Edwards' foot injury doesn't worry Crennel (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
Training camp log: Day 20 (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
Berea report: McDonald's loving it (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)
Camp news and notes (Official Site, King)
Day 20 of camp practice (WTAM, Knott)
The Browns have their final two-a-day scheduled for Tuesday -- everything after that will either be individual sessions or sessions that are closed off to the public. Your chances of heading to Berea are dwindling down, so head out there before it's too late if you've wanted to go!