BEREA — During a break in practice Thursday, Shaun Rogers sat on a water cooler and rested. When work was set to resume, Rogers took his spot at nose tackle. But he was in no hurry.
It was hot and Rogers is a big man. He also wanted to save energy. He’s got a big day Saturday, returning to Detroit to face the only other NFL team he’s known.
“He probably will be (excited), that seems to be the nature of guys when they go play a team that they used to play for,” coach Romeo Crennel said.
Rogers, who doesn’t enjoy talking to the media, downplayed his return to Detroit, where he spent the first seven years of his career before getting traded to the Browns at the start of free agency.
“I try to think I play every game with a certain level of intensity and confidence,” Rogers said. “That’s how I’m going to approach this game as well.
“I’m going to win a game, really, try to get better and continue to help this team.”
Rogers (6-foot-4, 350 pounds) was acquired for a third-round draft pick and starting cornerback Leigh Bodden. The Browns then signed him to a six-year, $42 million extension with $20 million guaranteed.
Lineman Corey Williams was acquired in a trade with Green Bay, and the pair are expected to fix a run defense that ranked 27th in the NFL last year.
The starting line of Rogers, Williams and Robaire Smith have played just two snaps together in preseason. Lightning ended their run in the opener, and Crennel held Rogers out of the Giants game after he had experienced general soreness the previous week.
“I’m all right. Camp wears on everybody a little bit, but we’re going to push through,” Rogers said. “I’ll be ready when the real show goes on.”
Crennel wouldn’t say exactly how long the starters will play versus the Lions, but it will be at least a half. Crennel will be keeping close watch on the defensive line.
“I’m looking to see if they are going to play the kind of technique that we need for them to play, fit where they need to fit, concentrate on their pad level and pushing the pocket,” he said.
Rogers expects good results.
“I feel we have a lot of chemistry already,” he said. “We have 16 solid games to continue to work on that type of chemistry.
“We get a lot of good work out here in practice. It’s just us jelling as a group of guys. I don’t feel that’s going to be a problem.”
Crennel has been impressed with Rogers and is looking forward to seeing him at full strength in full pads.
“He’s coming along good, I still like him,” he said. “In shorts we all look good but in pads he looks good, too. I think you will like what he is able to bring to the table.”
The Lions know what to expect.
“We’re putting rubber suits on (center Dominic) Raiola and pumping him up to make him look a lot bigger,” Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto joked. “He’s about as big of a defensive nose tackle as you’ll see in this league and we’ll try to make him run sideline to sideline.”
Detroit had grown tired of its second-round draft pick in 2001 and wanted to deal him. Rogers, 29, started 96 games and made the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2005, but he also was suspended four games in 2006 for taking a banned dietary supplement, had trouble controlling his weight and didn’t give consistent effort.
Rogers isn’t worried about getting booed.
“I play for the Browns now,” he said. “I’m assuming I’ll get the same reception the other Browns get.”
One final question: Is there a different tone to the organizations?
“Yeah, we wear orange and they wear blue,” Rogers said.

Sad day

Tight end Darnell Dinkins spent time with Gene Upshaw in February discussing union issues, including the collective bargaining agreement. Upshaw, the executive director of the players association, died unexpectedly Thursday at age 63.
“Gene Upshaw was a great guy for us guys in the NFL, and he led us,” Dinkins said. “He came in and we went from having nothing to all the things we have now. He was a Hall of Fame player and an excellent businessman. He led by example, was always on point. Just a class act.”
“I think Gene had the best interests of the NFL at heart,” Crennel said.

Injury report

Tight end Steve Heiden (back) and fullback Charles Ali (burner) were additions to the injury list and didn’t practice, but Crennel said he expects them to play versus the Lions.
• Derek Anderson (concussion), Jamal Lewis (hamstring), Brodney Pool (concussion), Willie McGinest (groin) and receiver Braylon Edwards (foot) didn’t practice and won’t play Saturday.
• Crennel confirmed kick returner Joshua Cribbs suffered a high ankle sprain Monday night versus the Giants. Those often take up to four weeks to heal.
• Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker (hip) did some work with the trainer on an adjacent practice field.

Extra points

The players wore pads for a run-blocking drill, then Crennel had them take them off for the remainder of practice.
• As part of rookie hazing, the veterans shaved crazy (ugly) designs in the rookies’ hair.
“We got called down the hall for a linebacker meeting,” said Chase Ortiz, who had circles and stripes shaved into long hair. “I walked into the room and walked into some clippers.”
He expected to be allowed to shave it all off Thursday night.
• Cornerback Terry Cousin intercepted two passes during practice.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

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