BEREA — Gary Baxter got crunched by the numbers.
The veteran safety, trying to make a historical comeback from a pair of torn patellar tendons, was waived by the Browns on Saturday. He had arthroscopic knee surgery to remove cartilage Tuesday.
With linebackers Beau Bell and Antwan Peek also out for the preseason following knee surgeries, the Browns couldn’t afford to keep a roster spot for Baxter, who isn’t a sure thing to play again.
“We are releasing Gary in hopes he will be able to continue his rehab and get back into the NFL, either with another team, or possibly with the Browns,” general manager Phil Savage said in a statement. “Gary has made tremendous strides thus far and we believe he can play professional football again in the future.”
Baxter signed a $30 million deal with the Browns in 2005 and played eight games in the next two years before suffering the catastrophic knee injuries in October 2006 versus Denver. He’s practiced with the team the past two training camps but has yet to play in a game since the injury.
Coach Romeo Crennel spoke to Baxter after the release.
“He wants to play,” Crennel said. “He was disappointed that we had to make the move that we had to make. He understands that it’s a business and he’s going to rehab and try to get better and see where that leads him.”
Crennel said the Browns tried out a couple of safeties Saturday and might sign one. There is also a concern about depth at cornerback.
“If there is a corner that we like and becomes available, we could probably do that and move one of the guys that we have on the team back to safety,” Crennel said. “So we have some options.”

Short stuff

Crennel was asked about backup quarterback Brady Quinn’s tendency to throw short passes. Quinn has spent much of camp dumping the ball to running backs and tight ends underneath. He followed the same pattern Thursday night versus the Jets.
“I think sometimes if you have a bad play, you may be a little bit more reserved about taking chances,” Crennel said of Quinn’s interception versus the Jets. “Basically I tell him to take what the defense gives you. If the defense gives you short passes, you take short passes.
“The impressive thing was after a bad play he came back and he drove his team down the field for a score. That’s what you want in a quarterback.”
Quinn led two scoring drives for 10 points and was 13-for-17 for 133 yards. On the official play-by-play, 16 throws were short and one was a 23-yard completion to Travis Wilson.

Injury report

Receiver Braylon Edwards had his left foot stepped on during practice but didn’t miss any time. He grimaced on the sideline and visited with a trainer, but returned to action.
• Tight end Kellen Winslow and fullback Lawrence Vickers returned from hamstring injuries and practiced in limited roles.
• Receiver Kevin Kasper (hamstring), guard Seth McKinney (ankle), tight end Brad Cieslak (undisclosed), offensive lineman Cliff Louis (neck) and tight end Kolomona Kapanui (undisclosed) didn’t practice.
Louis was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet collision on a kickoff that sent Jets tight end J.J. Schable to the hospital.
“I’m a little sore, but I’ll be back soon,” Louis said. “It’s football. We have collisions like that all the time.”

Extra points

Crennel eliminated the last two two-a-days from the training camp schedule. On Thursday and Saturday, they will practice once, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Today and Tuesday are the final two-a-days of camp, and Saturday is the final practice open to the public. Monday’s practice is closed to the public.
• The offense practiced against a 4-3 defensive scheme for the first time in camp.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

TRAINING CAMP 2008

NEWS OF THE DAY: Safety Gary Baxter, who had knee surgery last week, was waived to open a roster spot. He was attempting a comeback from two torn patellar tendons.
Tight end Kellen Winslow and fullback Lawrence Vickers returned to practice in a limited capacity.
CAMPER OF THE DAY: Receiver Donte Stallworth caught passes all over the field, then turned upfield and ran. His best catch was on an in route, when he reached low to snare a Derek Anderson bullet.
PLAY OF THE DAY: Joshua Cribbs spent a good chunk of practice at quarterback as the Browns worked on their special package of offensive plays. After handing off once, keeping the ball on an option and running a draw, Cribbs finally got to throw.
He faked a run into the line, pulled up and fired a dart to running back Jason Wright on the sideline, where Wright had room to run.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I am just looking to make plays any time. First, last, middle, I just want to be a part of this team and hopefully bring some positive to the situation.” – Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers, on his tackle to open the Jets game Thursday night.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE: Two-a-days return with a rare Sunday appearance. Practices are 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Call (877) 627-6967 for updates.

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