Two INTs for Gerard Lawson are highlight of morning practice.
View full sizeCleveland Browns' Shaun Rogers is carted off the field during a game in Cincinnati last season.BEREA -- Observations, opinions and some facts on Browns morning practice ...
* Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who still hasn't passed his physical, did some work on blocking sleds with a trainer nearby. It appeared a sign of progress that Rogers might soon come off PUP and rejoin his teammates. But coach Eric Mangini threw water on that thought when he said, "I don't think we're close right now. I think we're quite a ways away."
* Nice day for reserve defensive back Gerard Lawson. He stepped in front of rookie receiver Johnathan Haggerty and intercepted a pass thrown by Colt McCoy. Later he picked off Seneca Wallace on a pass intended for tight end Evan Moore. Lawson lost some status as a core special teamer in Mangini's first season, so anytime he shows up on practice video is a good thing for him.
* Jake Delhomme also suffered an interception by Sheldon Brown in man coverage against Brian Robiskie. But a few plays later, Delhomme connected with Robiskie on a long completion over Mike Adams in the end zone. Robiskie might have pushed off, but no flag was thrown.
* Earlier, Delhomme was a little late and short trying to get the ball to Chansi Stuckey, who got behind a DB. Stuckey got his hands on the ball, but couldn't hold on.
* Cornerback Chris Roberson suffered a leg injury in coverage of receiver Josh Cribbs. He was carted off the field. Mangini had no update afterwards. Cribbs made an acrobatic one-hand grab on the play while falling to the ground.
* Nobody hits the pads or blocking sleds harder among the defensive linemen than nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin. After subbing for the injured Rogers and making five starts last year, Rubin appears determined to keep the spot.
* Punter Dave Zastudil is getting his right knee checked by his own doctor, Mangini said. Zastudil has not been seen the past few days after disclosing he had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon.
* Defensive line coach Bryan Cox likes to get under the skin of his players. During a break, he told them, "Remember, if I yell at you, I don't hate you. I just dislike you."
* One of the nastiest players on defense is linebacker Matt Roth. There's no tackling, but Roth knocked big tight end Benjamin Watson off his feet with just a quick pop during a play.