BEREA — Browns defensive end Shaun Smith has been around the NFL long enough to know what the Baltimore Ravens will try to do Sunday when the teams meet at M&T Bank Stadium.
“They realize we’re banged up, so we expect them to run the ball as much as possible,” he said Wednesday. “They’ve got the guys to do it, too, like Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain and (Ray Rice), so it should be interesting. We’ll be all right, though.”
Even after losing starter Robaire Smith to a season-ending Achilles injury, Cleveland’s defensive line appears to be one of the team’s few strengths, especially against the run.
Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams and the Smiths limited Steelers standout Willie Parker to 3.8 yards per carry in Pittsburgh’s 10-6 win in Week 2, keeping the Browns in the game until the final play.
“At times, we made it tough for them to run the ball consistently,” Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said. “We have some confidence, so we might have to load up the box against Baltimore.”
Shaun Smith will take over for Robaire Smith as the starting right end, allowing Williams to stay on the other end of the line and Rogers to remain at nose tackle. All four players, though, were essentially starters as Crennel rotated them to keep them fresh.
Either Louis Leonard or sixth-round draftee Ahtyba Rubin will replace Shaun Smith as the swingman, putting them right into the line of fire against McGahee, who has fully recovered from a knee injury.
“I would never say what you’re going to see, but McGahee is practicing,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s done a good job for the past couple of weeks and he looks good in practice.”

Injury update

Five Browns sat out practice with injuries, including guard Eric Steinbach (shoulder) and wide receivers Joshua Cribbs (shoulder, hamstring) and Donte Stallworth (quadriceps). Also sidelined were linebackers Willie McGinest (hamstring) and Kris Griffin (calf). Safety Mike Adams was given the day off to tend to a personal matter.
Running back Jamal Lewis (ankle), wide receiver Braylon Edwards (shoulder) and Shaun Smith were limited, while fullback Lawrence Vickers (ribs) and guard Ryan Tucker (hip) were full participants.
“From a physical standpoint, Ryan got over some confidence things early on and I think he’s going to take more reps and go forward,” Crennel said. “Hopefully, we can make an evaluation this week on when he might be ready to play.”
• Crennel said defensive end Robaire Smith (torn Achilles) has not undergone surgery, but would likely do so.
• For Baltimore, nose tackle Kelly Gregg (knee) and quarterback Troy Smith (illness) did not practice.

Stover not over

Kicker Matt Stover is the lone remaining member of the Browns who moved with the franchise to Baltimore in 1996. He told the Ravens’ public relations department that he has fond memories of the North Coast.
“I think the city gets a bad rap because the winters are just brutal,” Stover said. “It’s on Lake Erie and that used to be dirty, but it’s not anymore. When springtime comes, it’s absolutely gorgeous.”
The 40-year-old, who ranks fifth in NFL history with 1,827 points, also praised Cleveland’s residents.
“The people are authentic,” he said. “You get what you see, and that’s what I like about it. You don’t have any pretentiousness in that city, so I really enjoy it.”

Stalledworth

Stallworth has yet to appear in a regular-season game, but was optimistic he may play in Baltimore.
“I want to contribute,” the six-year veteran said. “But I’m not gonna let my pride get in the way and do something that will hurt the team.”
Stallworth injured his quad while warming up for the Browns’ Sept. 7 opener against Dallas, forcing the team to go with unproven wideouts Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders alongside Edwards.
Through two games, Cleveland’s wide receivers have made an
NFL-low nine receptions. Edwards, for the record, has not answered questions from the media since last week.

Browns beat Bucks

The Browns/Steelers game Sunday was a bigger national television draw than the Ohio State/USC game the previous night, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Pittsburgh’s win on NBC received a 10.8 final rating, compared to USC’s victory on ABC at 8.4. Both games topped the much-hyped season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” on NBC at 7.4.
Nielsen will not be releasing individual ratings for Cleveland for last weekend because so many programs were pre-empted by local storm coverage.

Extra points

Browns’ opponents are averaging 6.5 yards per first-down play and completing 70.6 percent of their throws with a 107.1 passer rating.
• Baltimore’s Sam Koch (46.0) and Cleveland’s Dave Zastudil (43.9) have the best net punting averages in the AFC.
• The Browns rank 30th in the NFL in offense and 28th in defense.
• Ravens coach John Harbaugh says the Browns were his favorite team growing up. 

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