BEREA — Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker isn’t ready to practice but said he’s hoping to return in time to play in a preseason game in preparation for the regular season. The preseason finale is Aug. 28 and the season opener is Sept. 7.
“I’m just here every day working,” Tucker said Thursday. “I’ll get out there as soon as I can.
“I still have to get a lot of strength back in my leg. I’m feeling good, the strength is coming back. I’m healing really well.”
Tucker broke his hip in May during organized team activities. He termed it a “freak” accident and elected to have surgery.
“It was just a bone, thank God,” he said. “They put a plate in there, so structurally it’s sound and it’s healed.”
Tucker said a return to practice “sometime in August” is realistic. For now, he’s rehabbing and attending meetings. He opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list and can be activated any time.
He started the final eight games at right guard last season and was projected to fill that role this season. Free-agent acquisition Rex Hadnot has taken his place with the first team.
“We have so many good players on that line,” Tucker said. “I’m just going to get healthy, then do what I can on the field, whether I start or whether I back up.”
Tucker (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) spent most of his career at right tackle, so a return to health would provide needed depth across the line.
During his rehab Tucker spent time as a fill-in manager for his son’s recreation baseball team in Westlake.
“I know nothing about baseball,” he said. “I stunk at it.
“But I enjoyed it. My kid loved it.”

Hard knocks

Running back Jamal Lewis was in the middle of a couple of physical exchanges during the morning practice.
After a run down the sideline, Lewis was knocked down by linebacker Shantee Orr. Lewis didn’t appreciate it and jawed with defensive lineman Shaun Smith on his way back to the huddle.
“I’m just trying to get Jamal ready for the season,” said Smith, the biggest talker on the team.
“Do not touch No. 31,” Smith added during stretching before the evening practice.
The next time Lewis touched the ball on a swing pass, he sent Orr to the ground with a forearm.
“If a player’s not expecting the hit, that’s when he gets a little surprised or gets a little upset,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “But generally he goes back to the huddle and the next time he runs the ball, he runs with more aggression and protects himself better.”

In case of emergency

With the Browns short-handed at cornerback, Crennel was asked if trying special teamer/receiver Joshua Cribbs there ever crossed his mind.
“Sure, because he’s an athlete,” Crennel said. “If the situation gets to the point where we might need an athlete to fill in for us, then he’s a consideration.
“But at the present time, he’s got a lot of things he’s trying to learn. We don’t need to unnecessarily put a bigger load on his shoulders.”
Cribbs was a quarterback at Kent State before making the switch with the Browns.

Fashion statement

Safety Sean Jones was the only player wearing shorts in the morning, while everyone else wore uniform pants for the full-contact practice. Any reason?
“He had his pads on underneath the shorts,” Crennel said. “It’s just a look. Fashion.”
Jones made a nice play to break up a pass to tight end Kellen Winslow near the sideline.

Extra points

The Browns have yet to install a speaker in the helmet of a defensive player, which will be allowed for the first time this year. Crennel said they’d implement it at the end of this week, with linebacker Andra Davis wearing the special helmet (only one player on the field can have the radio).
• Receiver Donte Stallworth (hamstring) missed his second day of practice.
• Backup running back Jason Wright missed the second practice with an undisclosed injury.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

TRAINING CAMP 2008

The lowdown

NEWS OF THE DAY: The players were in pads for the morning practice and had contact for the first time since last season. Coach Romeo Crennel said they looked rusty as they struggled to adjust to the weight of the pads and needed to get in better “football shape.” The team was in shoulder pads and shorts for the evening session.
CAMPER OF THE DAY: Tight end Kellen Winslow was the favorite target of Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, especially in the afternoon session. He caught at least 15 balls, including a couple of tough ones that showed his excellent hands.
PLAY OF THE DAY: Travis Wilson, trying to win the job as the third wideout, slipped to the ground on an out route, but was still able to make the catch from his butt as he slid toward the sideline. The pass came from Quinn with cornerback Jereme Perry in coverage.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He lives here. I don’t know how he stays married. He is here all day and he is the hardest-working coach I’ve ever seen.” — Tight end Kellen Winslow, on offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE: A single practice from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Call (877) 627-6967 for updates.

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