Norwood native Marc Edwards has accounted for a total of 70 yards for the Cleveland Browns — 9 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving — but he remains one of the most popular players in Cleveland.

        It's easy to see why. Edwards is a pure blue-collar player, and he's well-spoken and outgoing off the field.

        Edwards ran for 6,001 yards in his high school career and won the 1993 “That's My Boy” award. After a stellar career at Notre Dame, he was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers.

        He was traded to the Browns before the start of their return season in 1999.

        Edwards is a running back who almost never carries the ball. He has rushed twice all season. But that's typical of fullbacks in the NFL. Edwards does catch passes. He caught a touchdown pass in the Browns' 24-7 win over the Bengals in the opener of Paul Brown Stadium.

        Edwards answered five questions from Enquirer reporter John Fay between practices for today's second installment of the Battle of Ohio:

        1. Did you ever go to a Bengals-Browns game growing up?

        No. I only went to about three or four games as a kid. But I definitely watched them all. I was a big Bengals fan and Browns hater. It was a lot easier to be a Bengals fan back then.

        2. How often did you get back to Norwood?

        I come back four or five times in the offseason, and I have my golf outing in May. When I come back, I go to the Norwood Eagles and hang out with the old guys, have a few beers. Nobody bothers me. If I go down to Main Street, someone with a little liquid courage in them might try to pick a fight. Up in Norwood, everyone's friendly. It's a good time.

        3. Akili Smith or Tim Couch?

        I'd have to go with Tim. I don't see Akili play that much. I've played a couple of games against him. But it's not like I watch film of him. I really like what I see from Tim. He's making a lot of progress. I should say he was making progress before he got hurt. I think he's going to be a great quarterback.

        4. Are there any wilder fans than those in the Dawg Pound?

        I'll tell you what: I don't see them as much as I hear them. They're incredibly loud. And from the stories I hear, especially from women, it's wild up there. They have some horror stories, and I guess it was a lot worse at old Memorial Stadium (actually Cleveland Municipal Stadium). They've beefed up security. It's mellowed ... well, maybe mellowed isn't the right word.

        5. Have you had any better feeling in football than when you scored that touchdown against the Bengals in Paul Brown Stadium?

        The only feeling that was comparable was seeing the clock read 0:00 and walking off the field holding my helmet high. What a feeling.

LeBeau sticks with run Little changes make big difference Bengals, Browns look painfully familiar Who's got the edge? Bengals-Browns by the numbers Players to watch Five Questions with Marc Edwards

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