BEREA — Few NFL teams have a better tight end combination than the Browns’ duo of Pro Bowler Kellen Winslow Jr. and savvy veteran Steve Heiden.
Both players, however, are battling minor injuries, giving their three backups a prime opportunity to impress the coaching staff.
Incumbent third-stringer Darnell Dinkins, former Bills reserve Brad Cieslak and rookie Martin Rucker are battling for no more than two spots on the regular-season roster. That will put all three of them in the spotlight Thursday when Cleveland hosts the New York Jets in its preseason opener.
“We’re definitely deep at the position, and that’s good,” Heiden said. “Competitiveness makes us all better.”
The physically imposing Dinkins is well-regarded for the little things he does, but made several costly special teams gaffes last season. This is his third year with the Browns and his seventh in the NFL.
“Dinkins is kind of the all-around guy and probably a little bit better blocker (than the others) right now,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said.
Cieslak played in 11 games and was cut four times by Buffalo over the last three seasons. He joined Cleveland’s practice squad last December, but is one inch shorter than his competition at 6-foot-3.
“Brad is another all-around guy,” Crennel said. “We played him at fullback and we played him as a backup tight end because he’s smart and can kind of do it all. That increases his value because he can do more things, so I think we’ll give him an opportunity on special teams.”
Rucker was a fourth-round draft pick out of Missouri, where he had a school-record 203 receptions. Like Dinkins and Cieslak, he weighs 260 pounds, but is far and away the best pass catcher of the bunch.
“Rucker is learning to become a blocker because in his system they split him out and flexed him out quite a bit (as a receiver),” Crennel said. “He has to understand how to take on some of those big guys in the trenches. He’s learning and he’s shown that he’s willing to do that. I think, in time, he’ll come around and be pretty decent.”

Extra points

In first-team defense vs. third-team offense action, Robaire Smith stormed into the backfield to stop running back Travis Thomas for a 4-yard loss. Two plays later, Andra Davis dropped Austin Scott for a 1-yard loss.
• Wide receiver Efram Hill was momentarily shaken up after being sandwiched on a pass pattern.
• Tiny wide receiver Syndric Steptoe rushed around right end during a gadget play and also took regular reps on offense.
• Wide receiver Lance Leggett got the better of cornerback Brandon McDonald on a nice throw from Ken Dorsey.
• Braylon Edwards mishandled a pair of passes from Derek Anderson, but rebounded to make two gorgeous catches in 11-on-11 action.
• Dinkins caught a quick strike from Brady Quinn in the right flat.
• Joshua Cribbs leaped high to grab a Dorsey delivery in traffic.
• Rookie A.J. Davis intercepted Anderson, while McDonald picked off Dorsey during seven-on-seven play.
• Nose tackle Shaun Rogers overpowered Joe Thomas during a line exercise.

Injury update

Safety Gary Baxter (knees), guard Seth McKinney (ankle) and tight end Winslow (hamstring) sat out both sessions. Heiden (knee), wide receiver Joshua Cribbs (hamstring), fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring) and wide receiver Kevin Kasper (hamstring) saw limited action and are likely out for the exhibition opener. Linebacker Beau Bell (right knee) and fullback Kolomona Kapanui (leg) missed the second half of the two-a-day.
• Crennel said he wasn’t concerned about the large number of hamstring problems at camp, saying the players are utilizing “cold tubs, massages, and stretching before and after practice.”

Return to glory

Steptoe worked as the primary returner in special-teams drills with Cribbs hindered. The 5-foot-9 speedster was Cleveland’s seventh-round draft choice in 2007, but was relegated to the practice squad during the regular season.
Crennel was asked who would assume full-time return duties if Cribbs was knocked out of action and said: “Steptoe is our backup punt returner, but we’ve also got Jerome Harrison to put back there on kicks, as well as Brandon McDonald, who can catch them pretty well. We’ve got several options.”

Not green with envy

While the Brett Favre soap opera continues to play out in Green Bay, all is quiet on the quarterback front in Cleveland. And for that, Anderson is grateful.
“That’s an interesting situation,” he said. “Obviously, Brett Favre is a legend. If he wants to play and go out there and compete, then he deserves that right.”
• Adding to the local angle, one of the two QBs that Quinn has sought for advice about his backup status is Packers starter-for-the-moment Aaron Rodgers. The other is Dallas standout Tony Romo.

Parking problem

Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, will be speaking at Baldwin-Wallace College this afternoon. Though there is no set time for his speech, it is expected to begin around 2:30 p.m. — the same time training camp practice begins. For security reasons, all parking will be extremely limited on the Baldwin-Wallace campus and at all lots south of Bagley Road. Browns fans are being encouraged to park at Berea High.
Contact Brian Dulik at 329-7135 or sports@ohio.net.

TRAINING CAMP 2008

NEWS OF THE DAY: Browns coach Romeo Crennel began preparations for the preseason by putting his team in full pads for a difficult morning practice. The squad responded with a crisp, competitive, two-hour session that earned it a lower-key evening workout in shorts.
CAMPER OF THE DAY: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards made two beautiful catches in the end zone from Derek Anderson during the morning. He outjumped A.J. Davis on a 55-yarder, then outfoxed Davis and Nick Sorensen to grab a 45-yarder.
PLAY OF THE DAY: Cornerback Brandon McDonald intercepted Ken Dorsey in the flat and returned the pick for a 20-yard touchdown in a seven-on-seven evening drill.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He’s just Joe. He likes his hunting, his fishing, and his football during the season.” — Quarterback Derek Anderson on tackle Joe Thomas.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE: One practice from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Call 877-627-6967 for updates.

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