BEREA — Training camp may not be officially over — coach Romeo Crennel is continuing the camp schedule through the preseason finale Aug. 28, which includes a hotel stay and curfew for the players — but Saturday afternoon marked its unofficial end.
Fans were allowed to watch practice for the last time, and the bleachers and hospitality tents were taken down in the minutes following practice. After 28 practices and 3 1/2 weeks, the meat of camp is over.
This camp was different than its predecessors.
The only talk of a quarterback controversy was that there wasn’t one.
No one staged a holdout, and even the players looking for sweeter deals — Kellen Winslow, Joshua Cribbs — practiced as hard as ever.
Arthroscopic knee surgeries were common — Antwan Peek, Beau Bell, Martin Rucker and Gary Baxter — and Braylon Edwards is home with stitches in his foot, but none of the injuries is believed to be season-ending or should impact the team’s chances of making the playoffs. Nagging injuries forced Crennel to cut back on the contact, but no one was complaining.
Boring may be the best word to describe this camp — and that’s a good thing. This camp was about football.
“We didn’t have no distractions,” defensive end Robaire Smith said. “We all came in and worked hard. It’s nothing but a plus for us heading into the season.”
So let’s look back at the five hot topics facing the Browns when camp opened on July 23 and see how they stand heading into the second preseason game Monday night.

Who’ll be No. 3?

The Browns are still deciding who will replace Joe Jurevicius (knee surgeries) as the No. 3 receiver, but a host of candidates emerged.
Travis Wilson is the front-runner and will start in Edwards’ place Monday night versus the Giants. He’s looked sharp throughout camp and hasn’t had the drops that plagued him earlier in his career.
Kevin Kasper was supposed to compete for the role, but a temperamental hamstring has cost him valuable time and possibly a roster spot. In his absence, Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe have made several plays and a push to make the team.
With Jurevicius out indefinitely, the receivers after Edwards and Donte Stallworth have one total NFL start (Wilson).

Corner market

Starters Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald have been solid, and Mike Adams is ahead in the battle to be nickelback. After that, the Browns have questions.
Veteran Terry Cousin can still play in the slot, but he struggles on the outside. He’s likely to stick as the fourth corner.
After him, it’s anyone’s guess. A.J. Davis, Mil’Von James, Damon Jenkins and Gerard Lawson are battling for one spot. If someone doesn’t distinguish himself in the next three preseason games, general manager Phil Savage will try to pull a trade. The Eagles and Bills are possible partners.
Ty Law remains a free-agent possibility if one of the starters gets hurt.

New chief of D

First-year defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is fitting into his new job just fine. He has the respect of the players, the confidence of Crennel and an improved roster with which to work.
“He’s doing a good job,” Crennel said. “He relates well to the players, he is organized and has a plan for what he wants to do and how he wants to get it done.”
Tucker seemed in control in his first game calling plays versus the Jets. His defense gave up 17 points, but 14 came on two 70-yard touchdown passes. That’s more player mistake than coach’s call.

Brady watch

Quarterback Brady Quinn solidified his standing as most popular Brown, but that had little to do with his performance on the field.
Men, women and children strained their eyes to get a peek at the former Notre Damer, who returned the favor by spending countless time signing autographs every day after practice.
Quinn wasn’t given a chance to compete with Derek Anderson for the starting job, which disappointed him. Instead, Quinn was criticized for dinking and dunking and was erratic in practice.
He looked better in the preseason opener, putting up 10 points and going 13-for-17 for 144 yards.

Here’s the beef

Sean Rogers’ impact was felt immediately on the defensive line. He collapsed the offensive line, beat up center Hank Fraley and invigorated the entire team as the most significant offseason acquisition.
He looks quick and strong, so the only questions are stamina and consistency. He missed three practices last week with general soreness and is a question mark for the game Monday.
Corey Williams, another free-agent pickup, was slowed by a sore shoulder early in camp but appears to be healthy. He and Rogers give the Browns four quality linemen (Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith) and a legitimate chance to stop the run.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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