The good, the bad, and the ugly

It's great to have football back again! What a long off-season. On a couple of occassions I have found myself watching the 2nd half of preseason games of teams I have absolutely no interest in, just to get a football fix.

I've been away for awhile, but here's my take on the first few weeks of training camp:

The good:

• Getting Joe Thomas and Eric Wright into training camp on time. This is huge. Both have looked good, and will likely start week 1
• Getting healthy--Gary Baxter and Kellen Winslow have practiced and so far have suffered no setbacks.
• The LBs--Kamerion Wimbley, Leon Williams, Antwan Peek, and Chaun Thompson are quietly having a nice camp.

The bad:

• Injuries--as always, the Browns have been bit by the injury bug already. Nothing season ending, but of note: Eric Steinbach, Orpheus Roye, Willie McGinest, and Leigh Bodden have all been slowed. Bodden worries me the most since it seems to suggest that his ankles have not heeled and may plague him all season.
• Brady Quinn's holdout--its never good for a 1st rounder to holdout, especially when its a QB.
• The WRs--Josh Cribbs is the #3 receiver not because he has been that good, but because the guys supposed to challenge for the spot (Travis Wilson & Tim Carter) have either been hurt or can't hold onto the ball.

The ugly:

• The QB competition--I had hoped that the starter could be named following the 2nd preseason game, but so far that's not the case--and its not because they are both playing so well. Neither Charlie Frye nor Derek Anderson look worthy of starting.
• LeCharles Bentley--I love that he is trying to come back and is progressing so well, but the Browns have not exactly been welcoming him back with open arms--their response has been odd. Seems like something fishy is going on behind the scenes here. I hope I'm wrong.