The Brown where back on the practice field today after having Tuesday off. The team gets to try and not only get its first win of the year this week but they will also look for Coach Shurmur’s first win inside the AFC North. Here are a few notes from practice and inside the locker room.

-The Browns have named Trent Richardson as the teams 4th captain for this week’s game vs. the Bengals. Richardson sees it as an honor to be named a captain as a rookie.

 “Oh yeah, most definitely. To be a game captain, it means a lot to me. It’s an honor and it’s a privilege really. It means the guys have a lot of respect for me, it means I’ve earned and I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here.

There’s still a lot to go as far as my potential and as far as this year, there’s still a lot to go for us as a football team. These guys believe in me and they are showing me and telling me that, ‘We behind you, lead us on.’”

- Joe Haden had his first practice back with his teammates on Wednesday and he seemed giddy to get back on the field as he made sure to run to each position drill. Coach Shurmur seems to think that Joe will be able to jump right back into the mix, “I think he’ll be extremely sharp.

 In talking with him about how he spent his time away and knowing the kind of condition and the kind of shape he keeps himself in, I anticipate physically he’ll be sharp. It’s just a matter of going out there and practicing and getting his sea legs back this week so he’s ready to go on Sunday.”

 -With Brandon Weeden leading the league in interceptions there has been a ton of talk in Berea about when the young signal caller should be aggressive and hold back. Weeden is starting to recognize when to go for it, and when to fold them. “There’s a fine line.

Guys who have been aggressive throughout the past, it has resulted in turnovers. I don’t need to be as aggressive as I have been in the past. I need to be smarter. I need to take what they give me.

I think when you’re in college, and guys are open all the time, it’s easy to be aggressive because you’re throwing to open guys. In this league, not everybody’s open. I’ve looked at every game we’ve played so far.

Since Sunday, I’ve watched every game we’ve played so far, and (there are) areas where I can just throw the football away, and move on to the next play.

It was third and one the other day, throw it out of bounds, (and) let Phil (Dawson) kick a field goal and move on. It’s an ego thing. I think I just need to get rid of the ego, take what they give me and move on. (I need to) not be as stubborn, just throw the football away and move on.”

 -Coach Shurmur had this to say about Weeden’s aggressive nature, “I don’t think it’s tough to balance it. I think you can continue to inspire him to do the right thing with the football. You want a guy that’s aggressive with the ball because you would like to squeeze out all of the offense you can out of every play.

I think we’ve found a way to complete deeper balls this year than we did last year which is important, but then you also want to balance it with efficiency so it’s a fine line. How do you go there?

You continue to practice and work and you keep going through all of the situations and all of the progressions over and over and over and then he gets a feel for the guys he’s throwing to as well.

 In each situation, it’s important that he does the right thing with the football. I’ve talked about his before, when a quarterback goes through a game, if he throws a ball 35 times then he’s got a decision making grade, he’s got a accuracy grade, he’s got a timing grade based on the plays and when we called them so you just try to get all pluses in all areas. I think that’s what you’re shooting for.”

 -Injuries remain an issue for the Browns as the team had 7 players not participate in practice. That list includes Travis Benjamin (hamstring), Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring), D’Qwell Jackson (head), Tashuan Gipson (knee), Jordan Norwood (foot), Dimtri Patterson (ankle), and Ahtyba Rubin (calf)