Tucker promoted

The Browns promoted defensive backs coach Mel Tucker to defensive coordinator to replace Todd Graham, who was fired January 11. "We're excited to have Mel as our defensive coordinator," head coach Romeo Crennel said in a statement released by the team. "He has a football plan, life plan, coaches the fundamentals and relates well with the players. I believe he'll be successful in this new role." Sources indicate that Grantham had lost the confidence of his players and fellow coaches, many of whom voiced concerns to Crennel following the season. While the Browns still ranked near the bottom of the league statistically, they did show improvement over the second half of the season and sport some talented young players to be developed.

Jackson's availability uncertain

Inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, the Browns' leading tackler, suffered a sprained ankle in the first quarter of the team's win in St. Louis. His availability for Cleveland's week nine game against the Seahawks is uncertain. The Browns already struggle mightily to stop the run, and now they could be without their leading tackler? Why, it might just be enough for Shaun Alexander to average better than three yards a carry!

Jurevicius iffy for Sunday's game

Joe Jurevicius was able to take part in a limited practice on Friday. "I'm doing better," Jurevicius told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We'll just have to see." Jurevicius is listed as questionable due to his knee injury, but it looks like he probably will be a game-time decision on Sunday.

Lewis again unable to practice

Jamal Lewis again did not practice on Friday. In fact, his injured foot has been in a walking boot all week, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. At best, Lewis will be a game-time call Sunday. If he sits, Jason Wright would start for the Browns.

Joe wants to go

Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius was limited in Wednesday's practice by a swollen knee suffered at New England, but head coach Romeo Crennel indicated Jurevicius will attempt to play. "Joe's wants to play," Crennel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "That's one of the reasons he came back to Cleveland to be a Brown, so he can play in front of the fans. We'll know that prognosis later in the week as well." Tim Carter stepped in for Jurevicius and scored last week; he would be in line for more playing time again this week if Joe can't go.

Winslow is active

As expected, Kellen Winslow is active for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. He was listed as probable on the injury report with a shoulder injury. Winslow is a must-start at tight end when he's playing.

Winslow active

Despite missing much of the week of practice with a partially dislocated left shoulder, tight end Kellen Winslow is active for Sunday's game. Winslow could find the sidelines quickly if he takes a big hit on that shoulder, but fantasy owners have to start him because of how productive he's been when in the lineup.

Winslow practices, hopes to play

Kellen Winslow Jr was able to take part in practice Friday, though he was limited. He's listed as questionable for Week 4, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Winslow probably will be a game-time decision due to his partially dislocated shoulder.

Winslow sits out

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow did not participate in Wednesday's practice because of the partially dislocated left shoulder he suffered during Sunday's game, according to the team's website. Winslow will likely be a game-time decision this weekend, but we'll have a better idea after Friday's practice when the team has to classify him on their injury report.

Winslow wounded

Tight end Kellen Winslow bruised his left shoulder during the Browns' final drive of Sunday's loss to the Raiders, and head coach Romeo Crennel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Winslow is "a little banged up" heading into the team's week four contest with the Ravens. "We'll look at his shoulder and see how it progresses," Crennel told the Plain Dealer. "I think he'll be there if he can." Winslow was wearing an electrical stimulation machine in the locker room following the game and told reporters, "I'll be fine." Winslow is certainly no stranger to playing through injury, what with him being a warrior and a soldier and all. Expect him to pop up on the injury report this week, and expect him to play on Sunday against the Ravens.

Eric Steinbach ready...

Guard Eric Steinbach, sidelined since early August with a knee injury, returned to individual drills Monday and indicated he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. "Yes, definitely, that's been the goal," Steinbach told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "When I feel good enough to get out there and the coaches feel confident, that's when I'll be out there." The Browns haven't had much luck with their big-ticket free agent offensive linemen, but it appears as if Steinbach won't miss any games that count. A significantly upgraded—and healthy—offensive line could be just what the fantasy doctor ordered for Jamal Lewis and whichever Cleveland quarterback will be throwing to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow.

Steinbach still out

Steinbach significantly upgrades a problem area for the Browns, so his return is crucial to the potential successes of Jamal Lewis, whomever wins the quarterback battle, and ultimately receivers like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow as well. Steinbach significantly upgrades a problem area for the Browns, so his return is crucial to the potential successes of Jamal Lewis, whomever wins the quarterback battle, and ultimately receivers like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow as well.

Browns: Mann on board

The Browns signed free agent wide receiver Maurice Mann on Monday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Mann played in one game for the Vikings last season and has also been employed by the Dolphins and Seahawks in his three NFL seasons. With the Vikings so flush at the receiver position, it was inevitable that talented players would have to seek other opportunities. Looks like Maurice was the odd Mann out.

Browns: Niklos inked

The Browns signed fullback J.R. Niklos, who has spent the past three seasons with the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europa.

Niklos entered the league in 2002 as an undrafted rookie free agent and has spent time in training camp with the Chiefs, Raiders, and Seahawks.

Niklos had 38 carries for 136 yards and one touchdown for the Galaxy this season.

He'll compete with Charles Ali for the right to back up Lawrence Vickers, a job holding about as much fantasy value as the Golden Girls swimsuit calendar.

Browns: Winslow still limited

Tight end Kellen Winslow has been running on the side during minicamp and is expected to be limited when training camp starts next month. "The medical people will let us know," Browns coach Romeo Crennel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "If they tell us he's full-go, then he'll do everything. If not, we'll limit him." Winslow is recovering from microfracture surgery last January.

While Winslow isn't participating in team drills, he's attending meetings and walking through the drills as well as running and rehabbing on his own. And Winslow's familiarity with the offense under new coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who was Winslow's position coach in college, should prevent him from falling too far behind. Winslow was limited during last year's training camp as well and still managed to tie Ozzie Newsome's club record for receptions, so we're reasonably confident he'll be ready to answer the bell on Kickoff Weekend.

Browns: Bentley decides against surgery

Browns center LeCharles Bentley has decided not to undergo a third knee surgery for the time being. Browns GM Phil Savage told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he considers the decision a positive sign that the knee is healing but would not speculate on Bentley's availability for the 2007 season. Savage added that Bentley will reassess his situation in three to four weeks.

It's a long shot that the Browns will get the All Pro center back this season, but hopefully this is an indication that he'll suit up for them eventually.

Browns: Edwards' absence drops him down depth chart

Braylon Edwards paid the price for missing the first day of Browns' voluntary practices, as the third-year receiver was working with the third team during Tuesday's practice. "I don't know, talk to Coach Romeo [Crennel] about that," Edwards told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"It's a situation where guys were here, got the reps and put something in place. And we go from there. Coach told me that's where I was at, so who am I to complain?" Edwards added that he missed practice because of "a family deal, which was very unavoidable," according to the Plain Dealer.

Crennel told the media that Edwards was still learning the system and was "probably just a little bit behind" players who had attended all six of the offseason workouts; Edwards has only attended the five subsequent sessions after missing the first. But Romeo also said the depth chart is not set in stone, so the Browns' premier playmaker has, oh, three months or so to work his way back into the starting lineup.