DETROIT — Shaun Rogers showed Browns fans Saturday why general manager Phil Savage traded for him in the offseason. At the same time, he reminded the Lions why they drafted him in the second round in 2001.
Rogers was the best player on the Browns’ half of the field in a 26-6 loss to Detroit. He was credited with three tackles and two assists in a half of work. He had played just one series previously in the preseason.
“He had a great game,” end Robaire Smith said. “He did his thing today. He definitely made a difference being in that middle. He was all in the backfield, all around making plays.
“He’s going to be something to watch in the season.”
Rogers had worn out his welcome after seven seasons in Detroit. The Lions tried shipping him to the Bengals, but the league wouldn’t approve the trade. The Lions turned around and traded him to Cleveland for a third-round draft choice and cornerback Leigh Bodden.
The bad feelings remain, as Rogers was booed every time his name was announced after a tackle.
“They’re Detroit fans,” said Rogers, who cupped his ears to soak in the boos. “I’m not a Lion anymore, I’m a Brown.
“If they’re not rooting for the home team, what are they doing here? I expected it.”
Rogers played nose tackle in the standard 3-4 scheme and was one of two linemen in the nickel package. He stuffed rookie Kevin Smith repeatedly. One run was good for no gain, another for minus-1 yard and a third for no gain after a diving stop.
His best play came on a Tatum Bell run. Rogers burst off the line, stood up his blocker, threw him aside at the right moment and made the tackle.
“I just look to have that performance anytime I play,” he said. “It’s not about me and the Lions, it’s about the Browns versus the Lions.”
Rogers said he couldn’t evaluate his performance until he watched film. But when told he looked quick, he didn’t argue.
“If I looked quick, I was quick,” he said. “I’m feeling good. Hopefully we’ll just keep that going.”

Kasper out

Receiver Kevin Kasper’s preseason of injuries continued Saturday, which likely means the end of his brief run in Cleveland.
In his first preseason action after missing much of training camp with a hamstring injury, Kasper suffered a “probable” concussion in the third quarter on his lone catch as his helmet popped off after a hit over the middle.
Kasper, in his first year with the Browns, looked good in offseason workouts and was expected to compete for the No. 3 receiver job. The hamstring injury cost him too much time.

Safeties down

Starting safeties Brodney Pool (concussion) and Sean Jones (knee swelling) were inactive for the game. Pool was injured making a tackle on running back Brandon Jacobs on Monday night. Jones was severely limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Mike Adams and Nick Sorensen started in their place. Adams had been the nickelback, but with him at safety, Terry Cousin moved into the role.
Sorensen had an interception in the second quarter.
Other inactives: quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion), running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), receiver Braylon Edwards (foot), kick returner Joshua Cribbs (ankle), linebacker Willie McGinest (groin) and defensive lineman Louis Leonard (ankle).
Receiver Joe Jurevicius (knee), guard Ryan Tucker (hip), linebacker Antwan Peek (knee), linebacker Beau Bell (knee) and tight end Martin Rucker (knee) are recovering from surgery and didn’t make the trip.

That’s me

Bodden stopped by a restaurant across the street from Ford Field about three hours before kickoff.
As Bodden waited for his food, a handful of fans walked by him. One was a teenager in a Browns
No. 28 Bodden jersey who didn’t know, or notice, Bodden sitting a couple of feet away.
“That’s crazy,” Bodden said.

For starters

Rookie seventh-round pick Alex Hall started at outside linebacker in place of McGinest. Hall played in the standard and nickel alignments and was credited with one tackle when he pursued down the line and hammered Tatum Bell.
“I didn’t really notice him a tremendous amount,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “I didn’t notice him showing up so much as I notice him in practice.”

Extra points

The Browns must cut five players, to 75, from the roster Tuesday. The final cut to 53 is Saturday.
• The Lions are the Browns’ most popular preseason opponent with 40 meetings. Detroit has won 22, but is just 3-4 since 1999.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

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