Cleveland Browns cornerback Eric Wright might also play nickelback
BEREA - Browns cornerback Eric Wright has a new role to add to his starting duties: nickelback. The Browns are giving him a shot at the crucial job of covering the slot receiver on third down, and he hopes it's permanent.
"Nickelback is a position I'm playing a little bit at this point, and I'm trying to master that craft," he said. "I spent the whole off-season studying players at that position. It definitely helps. It's something that a lot of players do."
One player Wright studied often was Packers 13-year pro and six-time Pro Bowler Charles Woodson.
"Charles Woodson plays on the outside and does a great job for the Packers, and when third down comes around, he slides inside and plays the nickel," said Wright. "It's just a huge opportunity to go out there and use your playmaking ability. Usually on third down, the ball goes in the slot or somewhere in the middle. I'm extremely excited to learn a new position, for one to help the team out, and also to be a little more versatile, add more value and also get an opportunity to make more plays. It's a challenge, and it's fun."
The Browns have struggled to find the right nickelback over the years, and are hoping Wright can lock down the spot. Last season, Hank Poteat started in that role and Mike Adams finished. It's also a contract year for Wright, and could enhance his market value if he succeeds at it.
But a new role isn't all that's changed for Wright. He's also changed his number to 21, which he began wearing in honor of his idol, Deion Sanders. It worked out perfectly, because Sheldon Brown wanted Wright's No. 24. Top pick Joe Haden also wanted No. 21, but Wright got first dibs. Haden is wearing No. 23.
"I'm back to the number I've worn since I was 8 years old, and I've been trying to get it since I was a rookie, so I finally got an opportunity to jump back into the number," said Wright. "It feels good. It fits. I feel comfortable, and it just makes me feel that much better."
He said he originally chose it because of Sanders, "but I made it my own."
Hillis highlights: Running back Peyton Hillis has been taking advantage of his second-team reps with rookie Montario Hardesty sidelined with a twisted knee. During Sunday's practice, Hillis displayed excellent hands, catching several passes out of the backfield and turning them upfield for long runs. In a two-minute drill, he parlayed a short catch into a 26-yard blast that set up a field goal.
At 241 pounds -- he's still putting back on some weight from a flu that kept him out of some OTAs and minicamp -- he provides a big, bruising back and a jumbo backfield when paired with fullback Lawrence Vickers.
"With both of us in there, we can move the pile a little bit and get that tough yardage," he said.
Coach Eric Mangini knows full well what Hillis can do. He once scorched Mangini's Jets for 129 yards while with the Broncos.
As for his great hands, he said: "I've always thought that was one of my main strengths every since I was a kid. Hopefully, I can continue that."
He acknowledged the great opportunity to get reps, "but Montario's a great back, and we can't wait for him to get back." Wallace competing: Mangini still hasn't declared a starting quarterback, even though Jake Delhomme is taking the bulk of the first-team reps. He said nothing's changed. "Seneca will have chances to work with the first group," said Mangini. "That's not uncommon. I've been happy with his progress from OTAs to now. . . . It's clicking, and you see that. He's got a good arm. He's an accurate passer. He can make some plays with his feet, which is nice to have that to work against defensively as well. I'm really encouraged by his very early progress." Rogers on offense? Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, treated observers to an impromptu post-practice session on the JUGS pass-catching machine Saturday. He missed the first four but caught the next five. Then, he started to show off a little, getting down on his knees and catching balls one-handed. He did a great job with his left hand but struggled some with the right. But it was an impressive enough performance for Mangini to at least consider granting Rogers his wish.
"I did not see him. Did he look pretty good?" asked Mangini. "He's lobbied to play some tight end on the goal line and some fullback on the goal line, so who knows?"
He also said Rogers will work some at defensive end, both right and left.
"He'll be good at it," Mangini said. "They're a little bit different reads, but for a guy like him, he'll learn it pretty quickly. The technique is relatively consistent with what he does at nose guard. It'll be a nice way to have some more depth in there and have some added size."