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IRVING – Todd Grantham had a little chuckle in April when he saw the Cowboys would open the 2008 season at Cleveland.

From 2005 to '07, Grantham was the Browns' defensive coordinator. He still owns a home – and is looking to sell if you know any interested parties – in northeast Ohio. But if you're thinking revenge will play a part in Grantham's return to Cleveland as the Cowboys' defensive line coach Sunday, then forget it.

"My wife and I made great friends up there that will be friends forever," Grantham said. "It's just part of the coaching profession."

The Cowboys are the Granthams' fourth stop in 10 years in the NFL. There were three years in Indianapolis, another three in Houston and three with the Browns. Dave Campo had coaching bliss, spending 14 years with the Cowboys. In the last five years, Grantham has coached with three different teams.

That doesn't mean Grantham won't help the Cowboys' coaches with what he knows about the Browns' personnel.

"I think a coach that's been recently at another place can help some certainly," coach Wade Phillips said. "He doesn't play the game, obviously, but he can give some insight on players, personnel, what their limitations are, those things. That helps some, but it still comes down to the execution of your team and how it plays the other team. He can give you some ideas. It does help, but at the same point I don't think it'll sway the score."

Where Grantham can sway the score Sunday is with his work with the Cowboys' defensive linemen.

For three years, starters Chris Canty, Jay Ratliff and Marcus Spears were under Kacy Rogers' eyes. Backups Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen had two years with Rogers, who left for Miami with fellow defensive assistants Todd Bowles and Paul Pasqualoni when Tony Sparano was named the Dolphins' coach.

"Kacy would be more critical. Even if a guy made a play, he'd want to know how you got there," said Spears, who had a productive training camp. "Coach Grantham's more, 'Get back there and make a play.' It's different styles."

Grantham has not tried to be Rogers. He did not invite the players to look at the highlights on his résumé, either, like the time the Texans' starting linemen had career highs in tackles in 2002. Phillips said Grantham's coordinator experience has been a help to the staff, and Cowboys have incorporated some of his tips into their substitute defensive packages.

"You coach to the individual player," Grantham said. "It's like anything; there has to be a total investment. If the players believe you know what you're talking about and that you have their best interests at heart, that's what they want."

Grantham will not mention to his linemen he coached the Browns, but they know.

"I'm sure," Canty said, "he wants us to have a good performance."