Browns rookie safety T.J. Ward isn't intimidated by his first pro assignment: meeting up with Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow in the middle of the field in the opener Sunday in Tampa. "I'm going to be physical with anyone I play against," said Ward, a second-round pick out of Oregon. "It doesn't depend on the player. I want...
Browns rookie safety T.J. Ward isn't intimidated by his first pro assignment: meeting up with Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow in the middle of the field in the opener Sunday in Tampa.
"I'm going to be physical with anyone I play against," said Ward, a second-round pick out of Oregon. "It doesn't depend on the player. I want to be effective against any tight end -- physical, small, big -- I want to be an all-round safety that can guard anybody that places himself in front of me."
That doesn't mean Ward is disrespecting Winslow -- just not letting the premier tight end get in his head.
View full sizeBuccaneers All-Pro tight end Kellen Winslow will prove a tough test Sunday for Browns rookie safety T.J. Ward.
"He's a very good, athletic tight end. He has great hands. He's physical," said Ward. "I'm studying a lot of film on him and I'm just going to go in there and try to compete. I'm trying to offset my immaturity or lack of experience by a lot of study. I'm looking at last year's film [of him]."
Ward (5-10, 200) showcased his big-hitting ability in the exhibition opener in Green Bay, and continued to progress throughout the preseason. But he knows he still has a lot to learn.
"If you make a mistake, you might as well make it full speed," said Ward. "If you're going to hesitate, you're almost making two mistakes. I just try to do everything full speed."
He said he hopes to avoid Winslow pushing off on him and drawing an interference penalty.
"If I'm on him, then I'm going to try to shut him down," he said. "If I'm not then I'll take my responsibilities to another player."
Coach Eric Mangini acknowledged the task facing Ward. "Yes, it's tough, but it's not going to get any easier for him as we go on," Mangini said. "The guys that he's going to be asked to deal with throughout the course of the year, they're all pretty good."
Winslow, who was traded to the Bucs in February 2009 for a second-round pick that year (used on receiver Mohamed Massaquoi) and a fifth-round pick in 2010 that was sent to Philadelphia in exchange for Chris Gocong and Sheldon Brown, is viewing this as just another game.
Winslow was not permitted by the Bucs' public-relations department to be on the conference call with Browns media, but spoke in Tampa on Wednesday.
"It's going to be good, man," he told reporters. "It's just another team. It's a blessing to be here. It's where I want to be. I'm fortunate."
He acknowledged his great relationship with Browns' fans, who always appreciated him playing through excruciating knee pain following his motorcycle accident and torn ACL in 2005.
"Everything that went on there with Cleveland was a growing process for me," he said. "I really grew up and matured. It was hard up there because we weren't winning a lot, and it was just frustrating at times. But I'm here now, and I'm having fun."
He said of playing in pain, "Nobody really knows what I go through. But it's just special to play this game. It's a privilege to play this game. It is all about the fans. That's what motivates us to play. That's where the support comes from, and it is special."
Last season, Winslow led the Bucs in receptions (77), receiving yards (884) and receiving touchdowns (five).
Captains set: Team captains, as voted on by players, were announced Wednesday. They're Jake Delhomme and Joe Thomas on offense, Scott Fujita and Robaire Smith on defense, and Phil Dawson and Josh Cribbs on special teams.
"That's always an honor to me," said Delhomme. "Anything you get to accomplish, one to be a player in the National Football League, but to be elected captain, that was always something that means more to me than just about anything else because it's voted on by the people that know you best."
Smith, an 11-year veteran, was honored. "Anytime your peers select you, it's special," he said.
Said Mangini: "Robaire's tough, he's physical, he's really smart and contentious. Even though he's a little bit more quiet than the rest of those guys, his leadership is felt in other ways."
Rogers, four others limited: Nose tackle Shaun Rogers (leg) was among five players who were limited in practice because of injury. He practiced a little more Wednesday than Monday and will increase his reps throughout the week. The others were linebackers Marcus Benard (shoulder) and David Bowens, tight end Robert Royal and offensive lineman Floyd Womack.
Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (pectoral) is out for the game and defensive back Nick Sorensen (concussion) did not participate today. Sorensen said he was out cold when he got hit in the head in Detroit, but that the headaches are subsiding and he's feeling better. For the Bucs, starting quarterback Josh Freeman was limited a right thumb injury.
Extra points: In preparation for the 90-degree weather in Tampa, the Browns practiced inside Wednesday and cranked up the heat. . . . The right side of the offensive line is still not set, with either Womack or rookie Shawn Lauvao set to start at right guard and Tony Pashos or John St. Clair at right tackle.