Cribbs returned one kick 90 yards to set up a touchdown against the Steelers last week and scored on a 100-yard touchdown return. He scored on a 99-yard kick return in Oakland and returned a kick 85 yards against the Bengals to set up another touchdown.

''What I've seen, you prefer to kick away from him,'' Billick said. ''He's a strong combination of strength and speed. He has the ability to run through a tackle and get to a hole with excellent acceleration. He's been very impactful for them.''

Billick is less inclined to punt away from Cribbs. The Patriots tried avoiding Cribbs. They kicked off out of bounds one time and shanked two punts out of bounds.

Like the Browns' Phil Dawson, Stover is more concerned about placing his kicks than trying to kick the laces off the ball. Sam Koch, the Ravens' punter, has a net average of 36.5 yards. It ranks 21st in the NFL.

''You can get into trouble with (kicking away) because it's a hard kick to make sometimes,'' Billick said. ''You run the risk of the punter getting a shanked punt if you're trying to angle it out of bounds and it's a shorter punt than you want. There's downside to it.''

The Browns' average starting position of just shy of their 34 (33.9) after receiving a kickoff is the best in the league.

Injury update

Three Browns linebackers were held out of practice yesterday. Willie McGinest (hamstring), Antwan Peek (knee) and D'Qwell Jackson were idle.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden was limited in practice with a back injury.

The Ravens have more severe injuries. Quarterback Steve McNair (shoulder), cornerback Samari Rolle (illness) and wide receiver Demetrius Williams (ankle) have already been declared out. Tight end Todd Heap (thigh), safety Gerome Sapp (thigh) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (foot) did not practice. Cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) was limited in practice.

Roster move

Injured guard Seth McKinney's roster spot was filled yesterday when the Browns signed Greg Eslinger, a 290-pound center who can also play guard. Eslinger appears smaller than his listed size.

Signing Eslinger allows Lennie Friedman to concentrate exclusively on guard. McKinney is headed toward surgery to have his separated shoulder repaired.

Eslinger was drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round in 2006. He spent his rookie season on injured with a shoulder injury. He was on the Broncos' practice squad when the Browns signed him.

''He was a good player at the University of Minnesota and he's been with Denver for two years,'' coach Romeo Crennel said. ''We think he's a smart, quick, tenacious kind of guy, who will provide good depth and ability for our team.''

Eslinger won the Outland Trophy as college's best lineman in 2005. He won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's most outstanding center.