2008-09-18 Browns Bits At Baltimore

For Immediate Release September 18, 2008 Each Thursday the Browns will send out “Browns Bits” with updated news & notes, transactions and quotes as a supplement to the weekly release. INJURY REPORT CLEVELAND: OUT: S Sean Jones (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee), DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE: LB Kris Griffin (calf), LB Willie McGinest (hamstring), WR Donte' Stallworth (quadricep), G Eric Steinbach (shoulder); LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE: WR Joshua Cribbs (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (shoulder), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Smith (hand), G Ryan Tucker (hip). BALTIMORE: OUT: QB Troy Smith (illness) DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE: LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (fibula), DT Kelly Gregg (knee), CB Corey Ivy (ankle); LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:, WR Yamon Figurs (hamstring), LB Nick Greisen (thigh), CB Derrick Martin (shoulder), CB Fabian Washington (neck); FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE: TE Todd Heap (wrist), T Marshal Yanda (knee), WR Demetrius Williams (hamstring). NEWS & NOTES BROWNS DEFENSIVE LINE SETTING AN EARLY TONE: Last Sunday’s effort by DE Corey Williams resulted in a career-high nine tackles, including six solo and three assisted tackles, for the fifth-year pro. Williams led the team in tackles and also shared a sack with S Nick Sorensen on a nine-yard sack of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Since Romeo Crennel brought the 3-4 defensive scheme to the Browns in 2005, Williams’ performance marked only the fifth time since 2005 that a defensive lineman has either led the club or tied for the lead in tackles in a game. Date/Opponent 9/14/08 vs. Pittsburgh 12/16/07 at Cincinnati 12/24/05 vs. Pittsburgh 12/18/05 at Oakland 11/13/05 at Pittsburgh

Player/Tackles Corey Williams – 9 tackles – led the team Shaun Smith – 8 tackles – tied for team lead Alvin McKinley – 9 tackles – tied for team lead Jason Fisk – 9 tackles – led the team Orpheus Roye – 9 tackles – tied for team lead

In addition, DT Shaun Rogers provided an eight tackle, three solo, three assisted and two tackles for loss, effort against Pittsburgh Sunday night, along with his first sack for six yards as a member of the Browns. In the contest, Rogers tied for second on the club in tackles with LB D’Qwell Jackson. With Williams’ nine tackles and Rogers’ eight tackles against Pittsburgh, it marked the first time since 2005 that two Browns defensive lineman have produced eight tackles or more in a single contest. LEWIS TO FACE FORMER TEAMMATES: Browns RB Jamal Lewis will return to face his former team,

the Baltimore Ravens, this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Lewis starred for the Ravens for seven seasons (2000-06) and remains the franchise leader in rushing yards. Last season, Lewis joined the Browns as a free agent and rushed for 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns. His effect on the Browns running game and offense is startling—when Lewis has 20 or more carries in a game the Browns have an 8-1 record. The Ravens present a challenge as the Baltimore defense is currently ranked first in the NFL overall and first against the run. In addition, the Ravens have not allowed a running back to rush for over 100 yards in 20 games. ZASTUDIL AND DAWSON SHINE IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS: With winds gusting between 40-50 miles per hour last Sunday night vs. Pittsburgh, the conditions were perfect for a difficult task for kickers on the special teams units. However, Browns P Dave Zastudil established a career-best 53.0 gross average and 52.8 net average on his five punts for 265 yards. Zastudil’s net average also established a team single-game mark (dating back to 1970) and ranks tied for second-highest net punting single-game average in the NFL. More impressively, Zastudil set the tone early in the contest as four of his five punts came in the first quarter kicking into the gusty winds and his fifth kick came in the third stanza into the wind as well. Highest net punting average in a game (minimum: 4 punts) since 1970: Total Player, Team Opp. Date 59.5 Rohn Stark, IND HOU Sept. 13, 1992 52.8 Dave Zastudil, CLE PIT Sept. 14, 2008 52.8 Mike Horan, DEN RAI Sept. 26, 1988 Also, Browns K Phil Dawson was able to convert a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 38-yard field goal in the fourth stanza. With six points on the evening, Dawson upped his career point total to 799 for the tenyear veteran. WINSLOW AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS: With 12 catches after two games, TE Kellen Winslow ranks second in the league among tight ends. Overall, Winslow ranks 11th in the NFL with his 12 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown. TIGHT END RECEPTIONS Player Team No. Yards TD Jason Witten Dallas 13 206 0 Kellen Winlsow Cleveland 12 102 1 Tony Gonzalez Kansas City 11 94 1 UPCOMING IN THE COMMUNITY: TASTE OF THE NFL The 2008 Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL will take place on Monday, Sept. 22 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The annual ‘Party with a Purpose’ features the best of the gridiron and the griddle as the celebrity party will include a silent auction as well as wine and culinary tasting. Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and former running back Kevin Mack are this year’s Co-Chairs for the event.

Every dollar raised during the event will help benefit the Cleveland Foodbank. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Foodbank at 216-738-2046 or visit www.cleveland.com/tasteofthenfl. FROM THE LOCKER ROOM Derek Anderson (On the Raven defense)- “It’s pretty much the same unit that has been there for the past couple years. They give you a bunch of different looks. They are together. Their third down package is what they are trying to get you into, putting you into third and long. There are some new wrinkles but a lot of the same stuff.” (On Braylon Edwards)- “He was out three full weeks and that is kind of hard, but he has been working. We had a good work week last week, every day after practice we were getting balls, catching it and feeling really good about it. We are going to continue to do that and he is going to be alright.” Donte’ Stallworth (On the offense)- “Hopefully we can get it done this week. We have played two pretty good defenses and we are coming up against another good defense. We have just got to settle in and focus and do the little things and I think we will be okay.” (On his return)- “I am hoping that I can get out there. I don’t want to be out there and let my pride get in the way of me thinking I can go out there and can’t and in reality go out there and hurting the team more than I would. It’s just a matter of me being able to contribute as opposed to be out there and hurt myself again or the team at all.” Shaun Smith (On the Baltimore run offense)- “It’s another week of stopping the run. They are going to get (Willis) McGahee back, the other guys have been playing, the fullback. They haven’t played in a week either. They had their bye week early so it should be interesting.” (On the injury to Robaire Smith)- “It’s a big loss for us because he is a veteran. He has been playing a while in the system. His leadership, we are going to miss that a lot. He kept the whole d-line intact when it was time to be quiet. His play too, he played well when he was out there.” -- BROWNS --