BROWNS HOST CINCINNATI IN REGULARTHIS SUNDAY

BROWNS BITS 

BROWNS HOST CINCINNATI IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE THIS SUNDAYChevy to give-away an all-new 2009 Chevy Malibu to one lucky fan during halftime;Browns Backers winners receive grants through the Cleveland Browns Foundation 

The Cleveland Browns will host the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2008 regular season finale this Sunday, Dec. 21^st at Cleveland Browns Stadium.  The game is presented by your Chevy Network Dealers.  During halftime, two fans will compete in the Chevy Network Dealers Football Challenge to determine the winner of a 2009 Chevy Malibu. 

Also during pre-game, the Cleveland Browns Foundation will present a check to three Browns Backer Worldwide clubs that were winners in the Cleveland Browns Foundation’s fourth annual grant competition.  Each club will receive a $2,000 check and the money will fund selected charitable organizations that these clubs actively support.   

This year’s winners include the Burnt River Browns Backers of Mentor and their support of the MetroHealth Medical Center with the annual Christmas party for children at the MetroHealth pediatric burn unit.  The Browns Backers of the Palm Beaches in West Palm, Fla. and their support for the Friends of Abused Children, Inc., and the purchase of football and cheerleading equipment for youth.  The Pikes Peak Browns Backers of Colorado Springs, Co., and their support of Safe Passage, to provide education to both parents of child abuse victims and professionals investigating child abuse cases. 

For the Browns – Bengals contest, Samantha Fitzenrider was the winner of the Browns Anthem Idol contest, presented by Plevin & Gallucci, Ohio’s Injury Lawyers’.  Fitzenrider will perform the National Anthem and presenting the colors will be the United States Air Force.  The Browns will also pay tribute to the United States Air Force with the ‘Hats Off to Our Heroes’ Honor Row game day feature at the end of the first quarter.  The Browns created the ‘Hats Off to Our Heroes’ community relations program to honor those representatives who epitomize the core of our community and have positively impacted our neighborhoods. 

Additionally, several players will be hosting special guests at each home game throughout the year.  Defensive lineman Shaun Smith works with local students through his “Lining Up with Shaun Smith” program, linebacker Antwan Peek assists several non-profit groups, who are part of his “Peek’s Pound”, safety Brodney Pool also provides support to local students through his “Pool’s Posse” program, safety Mike Adams and his “Mike Adams Rising Stars” program works with the ‘I am NOT a Hero Foundation’, and kicker Phil Dawson, along with his wife Shannon, have partnered with Adoption Network to provide families the opportunity to attend games this year.  Also, defensive lineman Shaun Rogers works with three schools through his ‘Baby’s Block” program and defensive lineman Corey Williams has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters through his “C Dub’s Club” program.   

The Browns will have many special guests coming as nearly 50 alumni will enjoy the game and Browns Backers Groups, including the Athens Area (Athens, Ohio), Greensboro (Greensboro, N.C.) and Mad City (Madison, Wisc.) Browns Backers.  

The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m., however gates will open at 11:00 a.m. with inflatables and interactives along the Tailgate Terrace, located on the East Patio.  BrownsTown, located on the North side of the Stadium, is the official tailgate spot for ticketed patrons and offers food and drinks and opens at 11:00 a.m.  Also, The Grille, located along Alfred Lerner Way, offers an assortment of food and beverages and will open at 11:00 a.m.   

In addition, Legends, a sports bar located behind the Dawg Pound, features two full bars, novelty shops, a full kitchen and 37 flat screen televisions.  Legends can be accessed from the Stadium’s east ramps, stairs or elevator, and will be open beginning at 11:00 a.m. 

-BROWNS- 

Each week the Browns will send out “Browns Bits” with updated news & notes, transactions and quotes as a supplement to the weekly release. 

INJURY REPORT 

CLEVELAND: DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE: DT Shaun Smith (calf), LB Leon Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (ankle), P Dave Zastudil (right knee); LIMATED PARTIPATION IN PRACTICE: WR Joshua Cribbs (back), RB Jerome Harrison (ribs), DT Shaun Rogers (neck), G Eric Steinbach (back), RB Lawrence Vickers (ankle), DE Corey Williams (shoulder). 

BENGALS: OUT (WILL NOT PLAY):  QB Carson Palmer; DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE: T Stacy Andrews (illness), CB David Jones (knee), T Levi Jones (hamstring); LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:  LB Rashad Jeanty (shin), TE Ben Utecht (foot), RB Kenny Watson (hamstring); FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:  T Anthony Collins (knee), C Eric Ghiaciuc (illness), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hand), S Chinedum Ndukwe (foot), RB Chris Perry (groin), G Bobbie Williams (toe). 

NEWS & NOTES 

THOMAS AND ROGERS NAMED TO THE PRO BOWL: Cleveland Browns DT Shaun Rogers and LT Joe Thomas were named to the 2008 AFC Pro Bowl roster on Tuesday.  Thomas was named the starter at left tackle for the AFC.  Thomas has started all 14 games at left tackle this season for the Browns.  Thomas will make his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl after his rookie showing in 2007. 

In addition, Joshua Cribbs was named first alternate as returner and first alternate as special teams players.  Browns K Phil Dawson was named second alternate, while LB D’Qwell Jackson and LG Eric Steinbach were named third alternate at their respective positions. 

BROWNS TIED FOR LEAGUE LEAD IN INTERCEPTIONS: The Browns are tied for the NFL lead with 22 interceptions. Cleveland has recorded two or more interceptions in eight games this season, the most since the 2001 club totaled two or more in 10 games. The 22 interceptions is the second highest total since the team returned in 1999. In 2001 the team set a club record with 33 interceptions. DB 

In his first season with the Browns, Rogers leads all defensive linemen on the club with 72 tackles, including 51 solo.  Rogers also leads the Browns with four and one-half sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for loss and has also blocked two kicks.  This will mark Rogers third appearance in the Pro Bowl, as he was previously named to the Pro Bowl with Detroit following the 2004 and 2005 seasons. 

Brandon McDonald is tied for second in the NFL and leads the team with five interceptions, while DB Eric Wright, S Sean Jones, DB Brodney Pool and LB D’Qwell Jackson each have three. The last time the Browns had five or more players record three or more interceptions in one season came in 2001 when five players accomplished the feat.  

NFL TEAM INTERCEPTION LEADERSTeam               INT     Yds.     Avg.    Long    TD1. Cleveland      22         403       18.3      98         2    Baltimore      22         397       18.0      107t      53. Chicago        21         314       15.0      50         1    Tampa Bay   21         312       14.9      65t        3 

BROWNS ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES: The Cleveland Browns placed TE Steve Heiden and LB Beau Bell on the Reserve-Injured list.  The Browns signed free agent TE John Madsen to the active roster and have signed WR Paul Hubbard from the practice squad to the active roster.  The club also signed LB David Holloway to the practice squad. 

Madsen, 6-5 and 240 lbs., played four games earlier this year with the Oakland Raiders.  A three-year veteran, Madsen has played in 35 career games, including five starts, with the Raiders and has 19 receptions for 248 yards and two touchdowns. 

Hubbard, 6-2 and 225 lbs., was the Browns sixth round draft choice, 191^st overall, in the 2008 NFL Draft.  Hubbard has spent the entire season on the club’s practice squad. 

FROM THE LOCKER ROOMEric Steinbach(On the two remaining games)- “Being 4-10 right now with two games left, the good news is that both are rival games. Without a doubt everyone in this locker room will be excited to play both the Bengals and the Steelers. There will be no question there will be high energy in practice this week, which we always do preparing, and going out and playing those teams.” 

(On comparing the Browns and Bengals seasons)- “Both teams had high expectations at the beginning of the year and it hasn’t gone that way for either squad. Hopefully we can try to build off these four wins and the next two weeks to try to get a couple more.”  

Ken Dorsey(On the Bengals defense)- “I think they have improved a lot since the last time we played them. They are playing pretty good defense right now. They are stout against the run. Their corners are making plays in the passing game. They have got a good scheme. I think they are going through things like we are, but they are playing good football right now. They are coming off a big win against Washington last week. I think they are feeling good and we are going to have a good challenge in front of us.”  

(On the loss of Steve Heiden)- “For one, he is a great player. Not having him out there from that aspect is difficult. Two, just the leadership he brings on the field and in the locker room and the knowledge he brings of the game. He has seen a lot of football, played a lot of football. I think we have got guys who are going to step up and play well. Definitely not having him or Kellen (Winslow) it’s never easy.” 

Joe Thomas(On making the Pro Bowl twice with it being most a name recognition thing for lineman)- “It’s sort of a lucky thing, obviously you have got to play well to make the Pro Bowl, but as a lineman we don’t have stats. A lot of times you have got to be associated with good quarterbacks, good running backs, winning teams and things like that. You look at a guy like Eric Steinbach who has never really got the Pro Bowl recognition has he deserves.” 

Shaun Rogers(On making the Pro Bowl)- “It’s just a blessing. It’s nice that your peers think of you as one of the better guys at your position. It’s kind of a reflection of our defense. We battle and it doesn’t always look good, but I still think we are a pretty good defense with room for improvement. Overall that kind of puts the heel in the dirt and sets a foundation for us.”  

Braylon Edwards (On Cincinnati)- “I have to worry about Cincinnati, who is playing a lot better then they did the last time we played them, and just trying to win. It’s still a divisional game. We still have pride about our season. We are definitely trying to finish strong against them and Pittsburgh in a week.”  

Kellen Winslow(On playing next week)- “I am going to try. I am not saying I am going to play but I am definitely going to try to come back as soon as I can.”  

Joshua Cribbs(On being disappointed for not being selected to the Pro Bowl)- “Very, but we are playing the Bengals so I am more worried about that. I am going to hold off on my disappointment until after the season.”– BROWNS –