Browns Notebook: Eagles' burners present challenge to defense

The sight of aging veteran Cleveland Browns CB Sheldon Brown getting beaten by third-string Eagles WR Damaris Johnson twice in a lopsided preseason defeat prompted concern that he will struggle to cover fleet receivers.

It won't take long to find out if that fear is justified or paranoia. Brown, who enjoyed a strong preseason until Philadelphia came calling, will not be matching talents with its backups Sunday. He'll be forced to go stride-for-stride with talented speedsters DeSean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin.

Brown, however, stressed his belief that speed does not kill. He warned that every skill position player contributes in offenses run by Eagles coach Andy Reid. He added that every receiver will record receptions. Brown claimed that most important is executing a defensive game plan that utilizes a strong enough rush to cut short pass routes.

"They're both speed guys, but it a guy runs a 4.3 [40] or 4.4, it doesn't matter because they're both running the same play. If we're getting a rush, it doesn't matter if they're speed guys. If not, we're going to have to make a play at the end of the route. If we get picks, our coverage is good."

Fellow starting CB Joe Haden had zero interceptions in 2011, but just concluded a brilliant training camp in which he was arguably the Browns' best player. Haden expressed great respect for Jackson, who could line up across from him on Sunday.

"You have to get your hands on DeSean," he said. "He's not a big receiver, so you need to disrupt him. He's really fast. He can get over the top on you and [Quarterback Michael Vick] can throw it -- I don't know -- about 100 yards. You have to stay on top of him and play him top down and not let him get over the top of you."

Haden declined to comment about reports that he will be suspended for violating the league drug policy. It would appear that he will play against the Eagles since no word about a suspension has come down at this point.

Do or die for O-line: If the offensive line performs with the same efficiency against the Eagles on Sunday as it did in their previous meeting, mark the Browns down for 0-1.

The starters remained in for nearly the entire first half in the 27-10 loss in Game 3 of the preseason. The final, sad tally read three sacks of rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, who fumbled twice, two holding calls and two false starts.

Rookie right tackle Mitchell Schwartz struggled mightily against the Eagles' aggressive, athletic pass rush. Coach Pat Shurmur has admitted that Schwartz is more advanced at this point as a run blocker.

"It's a different caliber of pass rusher in college," Schwartz said. "The best guy you face is just an average pass rusher in the NFL."

Schwartz will be lined up Sunday against Pro Bowl DE Jason Babin, who registered 18 sacks in 2011.

Sheer imperfection for Sheard: Second-year DE Jabaal Sheard expressed disappointment over his preseason. He said he would have preferred getting more game reps.

"I was just in on a few plays each game," he said. "I didn't have a chance to get comfortable. I was only in a series or two. I wasn't able to get into the rhythm I wanted to."

The Browns will depend heavily on Sheard as a pass rusher. He led the team in sacks last season with 8.5. Coach Pat Shurmur has stressed that the team will ideally get its pass pressure from its linemen, which will free up the linebackers and defensive backs to perform other duties. DE Juqua Parker, who recorded the team's lone preseason sack, will likely play the other end spot in passing situations. Rookie DT Billy Winn has also shown the ability to pressure the quarterback

Plans for Richardson: RB Trent Richardson returned to practice for the first time since he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery before the first preseason game. Shurmur said he will start against the Eagles if available to play.

Look for Richardson to start, but for his reps to be limited. The Browns will be careful with his playing time until he proves himself 100 percent healthy.

Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLCLE throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.