Browns Training Camp: Romeo and the "young guns" look to fulfill season of promise
Aug 25, 2006
Author: Author: By Lisa Santora, www.SeahawksHuddle.com

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Heading into the new season, the Cleveland Browns have many questions to answer. The most prominent question has been the musical-chairs played at center. In the first 11 on 11 drill of camp, the Browns lost LeCharles Bentley, their coveted free agent acquisition at center.

The injury caused an initial somberness that clouded the mood of the camp; but Bentley himself quickly put the brakes on such an attitude by telling his teammates that they had to go out, play hard and fulfill all the promise that the Browns and their fans had looked forward to this season.

Following that, the center situation only got worse with the unexpected retirement of Bob Hallen, and the upcoming 4-game, regular season suspension of Alonzo Ephraim. Enter Ross Tucker to fill the center spot. Tucker made some good blocks in the Browns’ second preseason game, and joins Joe Andruzzi as the second former Pat's player on the Browns' O line.

The resolution of the situation at center is crucial to the success of new starter Charlie Frye, as head coach Romeo Crennel seeks to build a protective wall around his young quarterback. Kevin Shaffer who came over from the Falcons will man left tackle to further shore up the line.

Reuben Droughns is the workhorse at running back, and should have another great year, coming off two plus 1,200-yard seasons.

The new kid in town is Jerome Harrison, a youngster the Browns drafted out of Washington State. Harrison has already evoked comparisons to Eric Metcalf, with his quickness and shiftiness, at 5’9’’, 199 lbs., he reminds me a bit of Warrick Dunn. The Browns could use a change of pace back like Harrison, who looked great in the second preseason game, especially on delayed draws. Harrison gobbled up large chunks of yards several times with the play.

Overall on offense, the continued maturation of Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards, as they grow together with Frye, will be a big story to watch.

Braylon Edwards unexpectedly took to the practice field in pads and a knee brace for workouts July 28. Winslow looks powerful and fast, and if Edwards can come back early in the regular season, Frye will have a real dynamic duo to throw to.

Charlie Frye already has built a rapport with Dennis Northcutt, and has been seen a number of times in practice throwing bombs down the sidelines to Northcutt for touchdowns. Joe Jurevicius will add clutch-play at receiver, and Terrelle Smith is good at catching balls out of the backfield.

On defense, Romeo has a real star in the making in Kamerion Wimbley. This guy is incredibly fast rushing off the edge, and is making a fast transition from playing DE in college to outside linebacker for Cleveland.

Getting Wimbley's contract done quickly, before camp started, sends all the right signals; not just to Wimbley himself, but throughout the Browns' organization as they continue to build this new team.

If Romeo can keep Ted Washington fresh, he's got a real brick wall to stuff the run. They'll have to give the big man a breather here and there to keep him rested and ready for insertion on running downs.

Willie McGinest is still recovering from an injured elbow, and his talent and leadership ability will prove priceless to these Browns, especially to Wimbley, who can learn from Willie - Willie also made the transition from college DE to NFL linebacker.

The secondary seems solid, especially with the stellar camp and preseason that Leigh Bodden has had at cornerback. This guy may not be a very big cornerback (listed at 6’1”, 192 lbs.) but he can take people down in a hurry, and that's what counts.

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