Edwards' recovery, return is camp highlight

Friday, August 25, 2006 The biggest surprise was fifth-round pick Jerome Harrison. BEREA (AP) — Fans screamed for Braylon Edwards to sign just one more autograph as training camp ended Thursday for the Cleveland Browns. Edwards made more than a few fans smile. Just like he already has for his coaches and teammates. The wide receiver's rapid recovery from reconstructive knee surgery has been the high point of an otherwise bizarre and at times dismal training camp that started with an injury to center LeCharles Bentley, the team's top free agent signing. More injuries, an unexpected retirement and a revoked trade followed, putting a damper on the start of coach Romeo Crennel's second season. Ups and downs "We've worked through some ups and downs, but overall I thought the camp was a good camp," Crennel said. The Browns have been scrambling to find a replacement for Bentley ever since he screamed, "No!" and grabbed his knee, tearing his patellar tendon on the second day of camp. Fittingly, the team made a trade with the Chicago Bears Thursday for Lennie Friedman, the eighth center to spend time on Cleveland's roster. Center Bob Hallen, signed in the off-season to back up Bentley, stunned the Browns by retiring two weeks after taking over the starting job. Running back Lee Suggs was traded to the New York Jets and sent back less than 24 hours later after failing a physical. Center Alonzo Ephraim, an emergency signing after Bentley's injury, was suspended for the first four regular season games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Injuries to dependable veterans, including offensive tackle Ryan Tucker and cornerbacks Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon, left the Browns shorthanded. "I wouldn't say weird. This is football," linebacker Andra Davis said. "We've seen injuries since I've been here." Playoff talk? Davis called it the most competitive camp he's been a part of and didn't shy away from playoff talk concerning a team widely expected to finish last in the AFC North. "I think we are a playoff team. Every one of the guys on the team believe we can compete," he said. "We aren't going through training camp to shoot for .500." Training camp wasn't without some positives, led by the return of Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. Edwards could play in Saturday's exhibition game at Buffalo. Crennel said it would be a game-time decision. Even the possibility that Edwards could play is remarkable. He's a couple months ahead of schedule following surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament and hasn't lost a step. Winslow, too, has been impressive in his return from a motorcycle accident and has acquired some needed humbleness in the process. "Charlie, what's up with that haircut?" said Winslow, mocking his buddy, quarterback Charlie Frye, during an interview session with reporters. Question mark Frye remains a question mark, but has given the Browns enough confidence that he can handle the starting job in his second season, though signing a veteran backup quarterback hasn't been ruled out. "We wanted Charlie to show that he had command of the offense and that he was a leader on the team," Crennel said. "It looks like he will be able to do both of those." Rookies also made an impact on the Browns. First-round pick linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who signed in time for the start of camp, has been impressive along with linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Leon Williams. The biggest surprise of camp was fifth-round pick Jerome Harrison, who looks ready to be the change-of-pace back needed to complement the bruising Reuben Droughns.