Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints

Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (L) still leads the NFL with six interceptions despite missing the past two games with a knee injury.

(John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Tashaun Gipson still isn't making cuts on his sprained left knee, but he's already envisioning his next two interceptions in 13 days in Charlotte, N.C.

"I would like to play against Cam Newton, get a couple picks against Cam Newton, (Nos.) seven and eight," Gipson said about potentially returning against the Panthers on Dec. 21.

Gipson, who leads the NFL with six interceptions, suffered his MCL sprain in a Nov 23 collision with teammate Joe Haden. It was feared the free safety would be lost for the balance of the regular season. Coach Mike Pettine said last week the team was still deciding whether to place him on injured reserve.

Gipson, however, has resumed running and backpedaling. He said the pain and swelling have subsided. He wants to avoid wearing a knee brace if possible.

"A brace will kill your swag," Gipson said. ". . . You will not catch me with a brace, but if I have to (wear one) just to play, I'll be in a brace."

The third-year veteran was enjoying a Pro-Bowl caliber season at the time of the injury. He's also a restricted free agent at season's end.

"I wouldn't say coming back and playing the last two games or last game, I don't think that will really be a huge determining factor in negotiating a contract if you look at it from that standpoint," Gipson said. "The sheer drive in me is I want to get back out there with my brothers and be playing and be playing playoff-contention football."

He complimented the effort of the Browns secondary in his two-game absence, particularly his replacement Jim Leonhard who intends to retire at season's end. Leonhard has interceptions in each of the last two games.

"I don't know . . . (who) the ghost of the past is (playing) the free-safety spot, but he's working, right?" Gipson said jokingly. "No, Jimmy Leonhard came in there and he's just doing his job. Jimmy Leonhard is like a coach out there. Jimmy Leonhard has taught me things and I credit him for a couple interceptions I've had this year – things he taught me that he showed me that he's seen."

Center of attention

Pettine didn't announce Monday who will take snaps against the Bengals. He did, however, reveal who will make them.

Center Ryan Seymour, who made his first NFL start against the Colts, will retain the job. He became the team's fourth starting center of the season – the first time that's happened since at least 1970, according to the Browns' media department.

Seymour received the best grade from ProFootballFocus.com for a Browns center since All Pro Alex Mack was lost to a broken leg on Oct. 12.

Status quo

While the Browns might change quarterbacks, they appear ready to stay with embattled kicker Billy Cundiff, who's missed one field goal in each of the past five games.

Pettine said talk about changing kickers "hasn't come up." The Browns auditioned kickers last week, but they were "futures" candidates or prospects for next year, Cundiff said Sunday.

The kicker went 1-of-2 in the 25-24 loss to the Colts. He missed a 40-yarder in the second quarter that could have plied the Browns with a 10-0 lead. The Colts scored a touchdown on the following series.

"At the end of the day I'm responsible to make kicks and I didn't make it," Cundiff said Sunday.

He said other kickers tell him, "I don't know how you do it playing here" in reference to the blustery lakefront conditions that Phil Dawson negotiated so well for many years. The Colts' Adam Vinatieri, who converted a 51-yarder Sunday, told him "to run to a dome as fast as you can," Cundiff said.

The kicker said he hasn't lost any confidence despite the recent misses.

Brownies

Pettine offered no update on defensive back K'Waun Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury Sunday. Justin Gilbert replaced Williams in the third quarter and returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown . . . The Browns will "scale back" practice this week after a hard-hitting game. They will not train in pads as they often do on Thursdays. Pettine wants players mentally and physically fresh for Sunday's game against the Bengals.