BEREA — Of all the people in the Browns organization, backup safety Mike Adams seems among the unlikeliest to hold the parking space next to owner Randy Lerner in a prime position at team headquarters.
But Adams’ Lincoln Navigator has been cozying up to Lerner’s automobile as a reward from the coaching staff for an outstanding offseason and commitment to the conditioning program.
“It’s a privilege with the owner parking next to me,” Adams joked Saturday after the morning practice.
Adams, entering his fifth year in the league, joined the Browns as a free agent last season and played in 15 games as a backup safety and special teamer. He said he took his workouts up a notch following the season.
“I worked my butt off to get where I’m at and plan to keep going,” he said.
Adams said he altered his regimen by doing most of the workouts in sand.
“You can’t do the same thing every year,” he said. “I definitely feel faster and am moving a lot better.”
Adams was most valuable on special teams last year, finishing second on the team with 18 tackles. But he started 18 games with the 49ers, is the third safety on the depth chart and is working as a nickelback as the Browns try to find the most productive secondary combination to make up for a lack of cornerback depth.
Adams, a jokester who’s always smiling, grabbed the tape recorder and pulled it closer to his mouth for the next answer.
“I’m versatile. I can make it do what it do,” he said. “Safety, corner, nickel, dime, whatever. I can sweep the floors, too.”

Brady: The day after

Quarterback Brady Quinn followed a three-interception practice Friday with two better practices Saturday. The highlights were a pair of good throws to the sideline in the morning session.
“You learn from those things and he’ll be better as a result of that,” coach Romeo Crennel said.

Take a breather

Tight end Kellen Winslow got the morning off to rest his surgically repaired knee. The Browns are trying to be careful, so he is at full strength during the season.
“That’s a coach’s choice,” Crennel said. “He’s not happy about it, but he understands what I’m trying to get done. And he works with it.”
Winslow returned to make a couple of nice catches in the evening.
Linebacker Willie McGinest, 36, was given the evening off, along with running back Jamal Lewis and defensive linemen Robaire Smith and Corey Williams.

Injury report

Tight end Steve Heiden (twisted knee) and guard Seth McKinney (twisted ankle) left the morning practice and didn’t practice in the evening. The team didn’t update their conditions, but neither injury is expected to be too serious.
• Starting right guard Rex Hadnot (ankle) returned after missing practice Friday.
• Running back Jason Wright (hamstring) missed his third and fourth practices.

Extra points

Receivers coach Wes Chandler gave rookie Paul Hubbard the evil eye when Hubbard missed a pass during a drill and the ball nearly hit Chandler in the face.
• Defensive lineman Shaun Smith was knocked to the ground by tight end Darnell Dinkins and lineman Nathan Bennett on a running play. Center Hank Fraley oohed and aahed, and Smith told him to be quiet.
• Rookie linebacker Alex Hall and cornerback Terry Cousin broke up a short pass to Travis Wilson on third-and-5.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

TRAINING CAMP 2008

NEWS OF THE DAY: The second two-a-day of camp saw a number of injuries, none of which is believed to be serious.
Tight end Steve Heiden, receiver Kevin Kasper, guard Seth McKinney and fullback Lawrence Vickers all missed some practice time on a day when the offense showed improvement from a rough Friday.
CAMPER OF THE DAY: Undrafted rookie receiver Lance Leggett looked good in the second practice, capping the day with a remarkable one-handed grab of a Ken Dorsey throw on the final play of the day.
Leggett went to Miami (Fla.)
PLAY OF THE DAY: Nothing’s prettier than a long pass to a receiver streaking down the sideline. Quarterback Derek Anderson found Braylon Edwards flying down the right sideline for a touchdown in team drills. Rookie cornerback Damon Jenkins was the primary victim, and safety Steve Cargile couldn’t help.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The third (full) day is hump day for these guys. Their bodies are a little sore. They’re a little tired.” — coach Romeo Crennel, talking about his players.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE: A single practice from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Call (877) 627-6967 for updates.

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