BEREA Baxter pushes for LB Boulware to join Browns

Because of injuries, the Ravens' career sacks leader is available.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Browns defensive back Gary Baxter wants to line up alongside linebacker Peter Boulware one more time.
Baxter, who signed a six-year contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, has been recruiting Boulware, the oft-injured Baltimore career sacks leader who was released by the Ravens on May 11, to join him with the Browns.
"I have been making phone calls and I'm trying to get him here," Baxter said Monday during a break in Cleveland's 11-day voluntary camp.
"I know the Browns, and especially me, would love to have him in here."
Boulware and Baxter played together for four seasons in Baltimore as part of a stifling Ravens defense that was partially constructed by Phil Savage, Cleveland's rookie general manager.
Savage said the Browns are interested in having the 30-year-old Boulware in for a visit. But so far, nothing has been scheduled.
Change to 3-4
Cleveland is switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme this season under new Browns coach Romeo Crennel. The club could use a player with the size, speed and ability to rush the passer like Boulware.
"I think it would be a great fit for him," Baxter said. "It's a 3-4, and that's what he loves to play. I'm still working on him. The only thing I can do is just see if I can get him to come in and take a physical and see if he likes it here."
The Browns had just 32 sacks last season and no longer have Ebenezer Ekuban, who led the club with eight. Ekuban was traded to Denver in the offseason in the deal that brought running back Reuben Droughns to Cleveland.
Savage helped draft Boulware in 1997 out of Florida State and knows how much he could help Cleveland's defense.
The key is Boulware's health.
A four-time Pro Bowler, he missed the entire 2004 season with knee and toe injuries.
He hasn't played in a game since late in the 2003 season, when he injured his knee against the Browns.
He also sustained a turf toe injury last year.
Before his run of injuries, Boulware played in 111 straight games.
Playing status
"We're obviously looking to upgrade our pass rush. That's an area that can win or lose a game for you," Savage said. "What has to be determined is he strictly just a rusher, because of his situation, or can he be a three-down player again? That's a part of the equation that we don't know right now.
"It would be a piece of the puzzle that would be a good fit right now."
Boulware has only visited the Houston Texans, but Savage expects other teams to be interested in him. Seattle is likely to be one of them. Boulware's brother, Michael, plays for Seahawks.
Meanwhile, Savage had nothing new to report on tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., who could miss the 2005 season after tearing a knee ligament in a motorcycle crash. The Browns may ask the former first-round pick to give back some money since he violated a "dangerous activities" clause in his contract.
"We're kind of in status quo right now," Savage said.
"We're in radio silence mode right now because there's really nothing to say beyond what's been said."
Savage said Winslow has not yet gotten a second medical opinion on his injury.