By SCOTT PETRAK

Staff Writer

Joe Jurevicius could’ve gone fishing or hunting.

After 10 years and three Super Bowls, he wouldn’t need to apologize for walking away from the NFL. Especially not after three offseason surgeries — the first to clean out his knee and the next two to get rid of a staph infection.

But, according to Jurevicius, retirement was not an option.

“None of that ever crossed my mind,” he said last week at minicamp after assuring everyone he’s feeling fine and will be ready for training camp next month. “I would not miss this season for the world. I don’t care what happens.

“I think the city should be excited about what we have in front of us and where we can go.”

Jurevicius relates to Browns fans better than perhaps anyone who’s worn the orange helmet. He’s a native of Northeast Ohio, grew up in the glory years of the late 1980s and was eager to return when the Browns offered a four-year, $10.5 million contract in March 2006.

The first season at home wasn’t all dog biscuits and gravy.

The Brown went 4-12, Jurevicius missed three games with a rib injury and another with a concussion and the man he was supposed to mentor, Braylon Edwards, was often a distraction off the field.

But things turned around in 2007, as the Browns went 10-6, Jurevicius played in every game and Edwards developed into a Pro Bowler with an improved attitude.

The taste of success only whetted Jurevicius’ appetite.

“There’s an opportunity for this team to do something that hasn’t been done in a long time,” he said. “We’re talking playoffs and that’s what we have to believe here.

“I realized with the acquisitions we had and the success we had last year, this place is a special place to be right now.”

Jurevicius finished 2007 in pain. The wear and tear inside his knee had taken its toll and he acknowledged the probability that 2008 would be his final year of football. That’s when he went to general manager Phil Savage and requested he find a receiver to take the starting role.

Jurevicius has started 20 games in his two years with the Browns, but at 33 years old, he felt he and the team would be more productive if Savage could find a younger complement to Edwards.

“I’ve shown throughout my career that I’m comfortable being a No. 3 or a No. 2 and being able to back up a 1 or a 2,” Jurevicius said. “I did it for the simple fact that I think it helps this football team.”

Savage obliged by signing Donte Stallworth from New England. Stallworth looked good in offseason workouts and is expected to add a quickness that was missing from the receiving corps.

“My goal right now is to come in there on third down and be able to spell Braylon and Donte when they need a blow,” Jurevicius said. “Having some workhorses in there now eases the load throughout a game and for sure in a long, 16-game season.

“I’ve been fortunate to grow up in Cleveland and have my ego kept in check. It’s about winning for me.”

Selfless moves aren’t common in the NFL. But they are appreciated.

“It is a sign of professionalism,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “He has been in this league awhile, he has produced. He knows what he can do. He knows what his body can take. I think that’s a good team move on his part.”

Jurevicius’ role in the emergence of the offense last year shouldn’t be underestimated. He caught 50 passes for 614 and three touchdowns and was a favorite target of quarterback Derek Anderson on third down.

“He is a huge impact for us,” Anderson said.

Once a Browns fan, always a Browns fan. So Jurevicius has gotten caught up in the excitement that is already building for the 2008 season.

“I’ve been fortunate to play in three Super Bowls and win one and I’m not passing this opportunity up,” he said. “I really believe this team can accomplish some good things.

“I’ve been successful at the high school, college and pro level. Before I bow out, I want it one more time and I’m willing to do everything I can to be part of that.”

Petrak may be reached at spetrak@chroniclet.com or 440-329-7136.