Rookies weak at cornerback against Jets

By MARY KAY CABOT

Receiver Travis Wilson, rookie tight end Martin Rucker and rookie Paul Hubbard were bright spots.

Two things became evident during the Browns’ 24-20 loss to the Jets in the preseason opener — their depth at receiver gets a passing grade, while their depth at defensive back is a passing fancy.

While youngsters such as receiver Travis Wilson, rookie tight end Martin Rucker and rookie Paul Hubbard gave the Browns a bright outlook in the passing game, their young DBs were burned for touchdown passes of 71 and 70 yards from Brett Ratliff to receiver David Clowney.

On the first, Clowney blew past first-year corner A.J. Davis on the left side and safety Nick Sorensen was late backing him up. On the second, Clowney beat Cleveland native Steve Cargile, and UNLV rookie safety Mil’Von James arrived late.

The good news is that starting cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald looked solid in their brief stints, with McDonald stopping Leon Washington short of a first down on the Jets’ opening drive. The play led to the Browns’ stuff of quarterback Kellen Clemens on 4th and 1.

The Browns are also in great shape at safety with Sean Jones and Brodney Pool, but still need another good backup corner — preferably one with a little height to help cover tall receivers such as Dallas’ Terrell Owens and the Giants’ Plaxico Burress.

Free agent pickup Terry Cousin, a 12-year veteran, brings good experience in the nickel, but is backing up safety Mike Adams in that role. Against the Jets, Cousin — playing outside with the second-team instead of covering the slot — broke up a pass and gave up a few others. The Browns are also hoping one of the young corners such as Davis or Jereme Perry will emerge.

Problem is, there aren’t many good corners available — and the ones who are don’t fit the Browns’ budget. General manager Phil Savage has said since May that five-time Pro Bowler Ty Law, a former favorite of Crennel’s in New England, is too expensive. Law, released by the Chiefs in February, was due to make $6.5 million this year.

The Browns also don’t want to break the bank for Eagles’ two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard, who hired Drew Rosenhaus last month to help him land a big, new deal. If he does go on the block, he’ll demand a big re-do.

Thus, the Browns will spend the next few weeks scouring rosters for second-tier cornerbacks that might be had, either via trade or release. Former Buckeye Ashton Youboty, a backup in Buffalo, could be one of those players.

Meanwhile, the Browns were thrilled with the performance of young offensive skill players such as Wilson, Rucker and Hubbard.

Wilson caught three passes from Brady Quinn of 17, 18 and 23 yards. The 18-yarder led to Jason Wright’s 1-yard TD and the 23-yarder led to a field goal.

“It feels great to do it in a game,” said Wilson, who’s had a stellar camp. “I never want to be a T-shirt, shorts [inactive] type of guy. Anyone can do that. But to come out here with the pads on, I’ve always lived for these moments. I’ve become a better practice player and it’s carried over to the field.”

Rucker caught five passes for 70 yards, including a long of 28 yards from Ken Dorsey that led to a field goal. He also missed a few over the middle, and had a pass near the goal-line intended for him intercepted.

Hubbard, a sixth-round pick from Wisconsin, made a beautiful, diving catch for 44 yards — on 3rd-and-26 — along the right sideline that withstood a Jets challenge.