Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers were acquired on the same day in separate trades for the same reason — to make the Browns better against the run and to crush the pocket on pass plays so the outside linebacker can get to the quarterback.
If Williams or Rogers makes the play, so much the better; Williams had seven sacks with the Packers and Rogers had seven with the Lions.

Ever since the trades were made on Feb. 29, Rogers has garnered most of the attention because he was labeled a malcontent in Detroit. He has shown none of those traits with the Browns, but labels are hard to shake.

Williams, 27, is fine with being the quiet guy on the line, and since end/nose tackle Shaun Smith is one of the biggest talkers, it is almost impossible to be verbal in the defensive line group anyway. And if Rogers' past means more ink for the former Lion and less for himself, that's all right with Williams too.

"I don't even think about that," Williams said. "I'm not here to hear anybody chant my name. I'm here to play football and make plays."

But learning how to be an end in the 3-4, where he has to tie up the offensive tackle instead of trying to run around him to get into the backfield, has been an adjustment. The coaches knew it would be and so did Williams. He would just like it to go more quickly. To that end, he has been working closely with defensive line coach Randy Melvin and getting help from some of the players who have been with the Browns for the past couple years.

"Randy's doing a great job of helping me recognizing the blocks quicker than I am on my own," Williams said. "I had to realize I'm coming from a 4-3 defense. I can't learn it all in one day. That's why I get down on myself. I'm picking it up, but I'm picking it up slowly."

Williams should know none of the coaches is upset with his progress. The man who counts most, Romeo Crennel, says Williams will be fine.

"We said there was going to be a learning curve for both those guys," said Crennel, referring to Williams and Rogers. "I can see Corey has enough talent and ability that he can be an effective player for us. As soon as he gets all the terminology and techniques down, that ability will come out."

Williams started 20 games for the Packers over the last two seasons. He totaled 98 tackles and 14 sacks.

When Williams was 15 years old, his father died from double pneumonia. Five years later, a stroke ended his mother's life. His daughter, Shakia, was born four months premature on Feb. 1, 2004. She clung to life for two weeks and then passed away. More recently, Williams' nine-year-old nephew was killed in an automobile accident.

"I've had some ups and downs," Williams said. "I'm using it as a motivator to work even harder. I can't get down and feel sorry for myself. I have to keep praying and using the talent God gave me.

"It's been rough. I get out here and do my job. Everything else I keep to myself. I'm not a loud talking guy. I'm kind of laid back."

CAMP CALENDAR: Training camp ends on Aug. 16 with a morning and evening practice. The Browns do not scrimmage other teams. The only break in the routine is an evening practice in Cleveland Browns Stadium on Aug. 1.

NOTES, QUOTES

—Coach Romeo Crennel found a unique way to reward the player he decided worked the hardest in the offseason conditioning program. This year that player is Mike Adams. Adams gets to park next to team owner Randy Lerner's reserved spot for the remainder of training camp.

—Safety Sean Jones will earn $2.145 million in the final year of his contract in 2008. He said he would like a contract extension that would enable him to finish his career with the Browns, but it would be an expensive investment for the team, somewhere in the $5 million a year range.

—Romeo Crennel is doing his best to make sure his aging players or players with a history of injuries are ready for the season. On the third day of training camp, he gave Kellen Winslow Jr. the morning off. That same day, he gave Willie McGinest, Jamal Lewis, Robaire Smith and Corey Williams the afternoon off.

—Nose tackle Shaun Rogers gets the award for the best defensive play in the first week of training camp. He tipped a pass thrown by Brady Quinn, made the interception and turned up the right sideline. He stiff-armed Lawrence Vickers before running out of bounds.

"I've seen defensive linemen intercept passes before, but to be a big guy like that and be able to get around the corner is something," coach Romeo Crennel said. "Usually, a big guy isn't able to get around the corner, so we're excited about what he brings to the table. He's not there yet and we're still working with him and he's working. Hopefully he'll continue to get better as we go along."

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

The Browns are still looking long and hard for a cornerback in case anything happens to starters Eric Wright or Brandon McDonald or nickel back Terry Cousin. General manager Phil Savage does not expect to find help until the preseason starts.

"Nothing has really changed on it too much," Savage said. "We keep kind of trolling the waters, but it's so early, everyone is kind of getting settled back in to the routine of being in training camp. We made a few calls but there's nothing really imminent right now."

—While starting WR Donte Stallworth is on the sideline nursing a sore hamstring, Kevin Kasper is working with the first-team offense along with Braylon Edwards.

—S Gary Baxter, trying to make a comeback from tearing both patellar tendons in 2006, is participating in team drills. He made the 53-man roster at the start of 2007 but was put on injured reserve without playing a game.

—Rex Hadnot has been working at right guard while Ryan Tucker mends from a hip he fractured May 14. Hadnot missed one practice with a sore ankle but was back the next day.

—Rookie LB Alex Hall is trying to make a name for himself. He helped his cause by intercepting a pass thrown by Brady Quinn.

—One undrafted receiver always seems to catch the eye of coaches and fans. This year, that player is Lance Leggett. He has been outrunning cornerbacks and diving to come up with the catch. He ended practice Saturday with a one-handed grab of a ball thrown behind him.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Kevin Kasper vs. Travis Wilson for third WR — Kasper and Wilson are locked in battle to become the third receiver while Joe Jurevicius recovers from knee surgery. Wilson showed improvement in minicamp and has carried that over into training camp. He is running routes better than he has in the past. Kasper is very quick and has sure hands. The Browns have the option of lining Kellen Winslow up as a third receiver and using Steve Heiden at tight end.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Jerome Harrison is gaining ground on Jason Wright to be the backup running back because Wright has been out with a lingering hamstring injury. ... Mike Adams has an edge on Nick Sorensen as the third safety. ... The Browns have to decide whether to keep three tight ends or four. Darnell Dinkins would be the fourth tight end, but he will have to prove himself on special teams to earn that spot behind Kellen Winslow, Steve Heiden and rookie Martin Rucker.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: TE Kellen Winslow Jr. — Winslow is out to prove he won't let his desire for a new contract be a distraction. He always dresses in full uniform, even when the dress of the day is shorts and no pads. He has caught nearly every pass thrown to him, and when he did miss one, he dropped and did 10 pushups.

ROOKIE REPORT: All five draft picks signed four-year contracts the night before training camp opened July 23. LB Beau Bell is working with the second team and trying to get acclimated to the defense. ... TE Martin Rucker is catching the ball well. ... NT Ahtyba Rubin is learning how to play his position and watching starter Shaun Rogers. ... WR Paul Hubbard has been a little inconsistent catching the ball. ... LB Alex Hall has shown some quickness in coverage and in his pass rush.

INJURY REPORT: TE Steve Heiden has a twisted left knee but should be back before the preseason starts against the Jets Aug. 7.

WR Donte Stallworth has not practiced because of a pulled hamstring.

RB Jason Wright has been bothered by a hamstring injury. He is day-to-day.

G Seth McKinney is out with a sprained ankle. His return is indefinite.

RG Ryan Tucker is mending from a fractured hip. He hopes to be ready by the end of preseason.

WR Joe Jurevicius might be out until late October recovering from knee surgery July 1.

Tucker and Jurevicius began training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform/active list.

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