BEREA — Lawrence Vickers is a 6-foot, 250-pound fullback. On Friday, he looked like a little kid trying to tackle his dad in the backyard.
That’s what happens when the guy carrying the ball is 6-4, 350-pound defensive lineman Shaun Rogers.
Rogers made the play of training camp when he tipped a Brady Quinn pass over the middle, intercepted it and turned the left corner. Vickers clung to Rogers’ shoulder until the whistle blew — tackling is frowned upon in camp — but Rogers never looked in danger of going down.
“He’s a big, athletic guy. He makes things happen,” said defensive end Robaire Smith, who joined the enthusiastic celebration after the play. “I’m quite sure if that was live, whoever that little fullback was would’ve got run over.”
Vickers had a different opinion.
“I would’ve got Shaun,” he said. “Just grab an arm, then grab legs. He would’ve been out of there.”
The Browns traded for Rogers at the start of free agency, giving Detroit a third-round draft choice and starting cornerback Leigh Bodden. The Browns then signed Rogers to a six-year, $42 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.
Rogers was acquired to add bulk and experience to a run defense that ranked 27th in the NFL and has been an Achilles’ heel for years. As shown Friday — and last year when he had a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown — he also brings an athleticism that should help all aspects of the defense.
“Shaun can play basketball, he can do pretty much anything,” Vickers said. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Rogers is taking snaps at end and nose tackle and will be used in a four-man rotation with Corey Williams, Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith. All four have experience in the league, but Rogers is a two-time Pro Bowler with immense talent, so he’s tagged with the expectations of improving the run defense.
“I’m just here to do my job,” he said. “I’m not going to take that load on all myself.
“I’m an added piece to hopefully what is a beautiful puzzle.”
Rogers spoke Wednesday on the opening day of camp and hasn’t talked to the media since. After practice Friday he took a picture with a kid in a Braylon Edwards jersey, then disappeared into the fieldhouse.
Rogers, 29, didn’t have the best reputation in Detroit. He was suspended for four games in 2006 for taking a banned dietary supplement and has been accused of being overweight and not always giving maximum effort.
Cleveland general manager Phil Savage said Rogers reported to camp at the weight requested by the team.
“He made the running tests without any problems whatsoever,” Savage said on WTAM 1100-AM. “That’s a real good sign.”
And hopefully an example of Rogers making a fresh start.
“All the defensive linemen go out to eat and that’s the one thing he constantly talks about, it’s a fresh start for him,” Robaire Smith said. “He’s not the type of guy that people try to make him. He knows this is his chance to rebuild all that and I think that’s what he wants.
“He says he’s having more fun than he did since he’s been in the league. That’s a good thing for us. We’ve got to make sure he stays that way.”
Plays like the one Friday would certainly help.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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