BEREA, Ohio -- Yes, we know now that
will be taking the snaps for the Browns on Sunday. But who will be snapping him the ball?
Center is the only mystery left on Eric Mangini's starting offense. Naturally, he's not giving that one up.
Throughout the preseason and into the first week of the regular season, Hank Fraley has been listed No. 1 on the depth chart. But rookie Alex Mack started the final three preseason games.
Coach Mangini?
"They'll both work in there," he said. "Hank's done a good job working in different spots. Alex is making a lot of progress. I'm excited for both of them to play."
The Minnesota Vikings might present the most formidable challenge of the entire season for the Browns' center, whomever it may be. Not only do they field a traditional four-man front against which the Browns do not routinely practice, but their tackle positions are manned by a pair of multiple Pro Bowlers -- Kevin and Pat Williams.
"It's not good having those beasts right away, but we'll be ready to go," said quarterback Derek Anderson.
This would be quite a baptism for Mack, who struggled at times in his first NFL camp. Mangini could opt for Fraley's savvy over Mack's youthful exuberance and postpone Mack's NFL debut until next week in Denver.
Mangini said he would not alternate Fraley and Mack. "But I wouldn't have any hesitation in playing either one," he said.
Kevin Williams last season tied for first among all defensive tackles with 8 1/2 sacks. He also has four career touchdowns -- an unthinkable number for a 311-pound tackle.
"Both those Williams guys, they're good," Mack said. "They've been around a long time. They complement each other really well. It's going to be a good game no matter what."
The Vikings have been No. 1 defending the run three years in a row.
"It's going to be tough," said running back Jamal Lewis. "They plug the middle and force everything to the outside. They have fast linebackers that can run, good sideline to sideline linebackers that can run. So it seems like that's what they really try to do, plug the middle and get you to run on the outside."
Both Williams have used the legal process to avert four-game league suspensions handed down a year for testing positive for a banned substance contained in a water pill. The Vikings kept nine defensive linemen on their final roster, just in case the NFL suspensions were upheld.
Part of the job: Lewis, who was rumored to be on the roster bubble, took all the speculation about his job security in stride.
"It's the business and the nature of the game," he said. "So you know sometimes one day that will come. I didn't really pay attention to it. What happens happens. All I can do is do my job and do the best I can do to help this team and that's it."
Lewis averaged 2.6 yards a rush in the preseason, gaining 63 yards on 24 attempts.
Don't worry: Brian Daboll is the X-factor on Mangini's coaching staff. The rookie offensive coordinator, 34, is running an NFL offense for the first time.
But Daboll received a hearty endorsement on Wednesday from Brett Favre. Daboll was Favre's QB coach with the Jets last year.
"Great guy. A lot of personality. Very, very sharp," Favre said on a conference call. "He's obviously young. People don't know much about him. But I have a lot of respect for this guy. His background for the most part is on defense. If anything, I think that will help him down the stretch. He understands defensive schemes and how teams try to attack the offensive side of the ball.
"He's got really good ideas, and he's just a fun guy. I enjoyed coming to work with him every day. We'll remain friends forever."
Favre was also lavish in his praise for Mangini. A full story on Favre's one-year relationship with Mangini will appear in Friday's Plain Dealer.
Injury report: Mangini's first injury report of the season disclosed specific injuries for the first time since the Browns reported to training camp on Aug. 1. Drum roll, please ...
Out is lineman Rex Hadnot (knee). Newly acquired running back Cedric Peerman (thigh) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. Players with limited participation were linebacker David Bowens (knee), running back Jerome Harrison (knee), nose tackle Shaun Rogers (foot) and cornerback Eric Wright (knee). Players with injuries who participated fully were linebacker Alex Hall (shoulder) and tight end Steve Heiden (knee).