when it involves head coach Lovie Smith.

Posted by Jeff Joniak in Jeff Joniak on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | no responses
Nothing in six years has changed regarding potential lineup changes when it involves head coach Lovie Smith.
Two weeks ago Smith said no changes were expected on the offensive line.
Wednesday, he left the door open for a possible shift. However, when pushed on the subject Smith reinforced his stance on making mid-week announcements to the media.
“I’m not going to talk about anything personnel wise,” said Smith. “To me that’s pretty clear. So, if that’s all you want to talk about…there’s nothing else to talk about.”
When pushed further on why he maintains that policy, Smith said, “Just don’t want to. Simple as that…don’t want to give the opponent an advantage. We want them to wonder what we’re going to do, like you are right now. That’s the way it’s been, so it’s not like there’s something new that I’m coming up with right now.”
How will it look if a player loses his starting job after the bad loss in Cincinnati?
“You can’t go on what anything looks like. You do what feels right, period. There’s no more, nothing else, you don’t worry about feelings, what it looks like…what gives us the best chance and we go.”

Wednesday Practice Review: Browns week
  • Defensive tackle Tommie Harris practiced for the first time all season on a Wednesday. He refused to talk to reporters. Lovie Smith said the week off helped Harris. “I think he did. I thought he looked pretty good doing everything. As much as anything it’s about practicing and getting better.”
  • Defensive End Adewale Ogunleye(ankle) and defensive tackle Matt Toeaina(calf) were out.
  • Linebacker Lance Briggs(shoulder), defensive tackle Israel Idonije(knee), safety Danieal Manning(foot), running back Adrian Peterson(knee) were limited.
  • Johnny Knox was named the NFC special teams rookie of the month.
  • Cleveland’s injury report is lengthy. Starting TE Robert Royal(hamstring/finger) and linebacker David Bowens(non-injury related) did not participate. Nine other players including DT Shaun Rogers(foot) were limited.
  • Nathan Vasher played seven snaps at free safety in Cincinnati in the nickel package. It is something he has not played since his sophomore season at Texas where he actually played strong side. It is expected Vasher will continue to get snaps at the position. He makes plays on the ball, and the Bears are struggling to create turnovers.
  • Cleveland’s special teams unit is ranked number one in the NFL after seven games and by a wide margin. It is the strength of their team led by their top player return specialist and gunner Joshua Cribbs. He leads the NFL in punt return average.
  • Cornerback Charles Tillman traveled to Washington Tuesday to speak to some members of Congress about the Berlin Heart. A year ago, the device kept his infant daughter, Tiana, alive while she awaited a heart transplant. It saved her life. “My purpose there was not to get it FDA approved. I hope they do, yes I do. My focus was just to inform Congress of the medical technology of the Berlin Heart.” Tillman said he was not nervous, especially after handling so many interviews over the years with the local media.


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