Browns continue to play “Musical Centers”

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, August 16, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Cleveland Browns
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Another day, another lost center for the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns lost penciled-in starter Alonzo Ephraim for the first four games of the regular season on Wednesday, thanks to a violation of the National Football League's substance abuse policy. Ephraim, a recent free agent signee, is allowed to continue participating in practices and even preseason games, but won't be eligible to make an appearance during the regular season until an Oct. 8 matchup against Carolina.

Ephraim was signed to a contract after No. 1, highly touted center LeCharles Bentley succumbed to a camp knee injury three weeks ago. The former New Orleans Saints' two-time Pro Bowler was given $36 million in the offseason by Cleveland to anchor its line, but that won't start until 2007, since his injury will require a full year of rehabilitation.

After Bentley went down, the Browns and head coach Romeo Crennel elected to hang their hat on veteran Bob Hallen, who played his first eight seasons with Atlanta and San Diego. However, thanks to nagging injury issues and some undisclosed personal matters, the team recently lost the 31-year-old to retirement.

Hallen's abrupt retirement is where the 6-foot-4, 312-pound Ephraim came in. He spent his opening three years in the pros with Philadelphia and Miami, never starting more than three games in an individual season. Thus, the 24-year-old's failed drug test isn't necessarily a huge dent to the Browns, since his backup is, frankly, a more proven, better player.

With the temporary shutting of Ephraim's door, veteran Ross Tucker has found a new lease on playing time. The 310-pounder has been a true journeyman in his five-year NFL career, playing for the Redskins, Bills, Cowboys and Patriots. The Princeton grad has started in 24 games over that span, while emerging as an outspoken, positive locker room influence.

Tucker's only vast experience for one season came in 2004, when he started 12 games for Buffalo. On an offensive line that was average at best, he was one of the few unexpected bright spots. He took five penalties and allowed just 2 ½ sacks that season, while helping the Bills make a late-season playoff push. He was released after the season, thanks to a spat with Buffalo's ex-, robot-esque general manager, Tom Donahoe.

The 27-year-old Tucker will get his opportunity to start this Saturday when the Browns face off with the Detroit Lions.

If he gets injured or another unfortunate event befalls him before then, Cleveland will turn to Mike Mabry, a seventh-round pick in 2003 who's never seen regular season action.

Quarterback Charlie Frye probably won't be too happy about an inexperienced 26-year-old rookie snapping him the ball. For the second-year QB's sake, let's hope it doesn't come to that.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Sign up for our free e-mail alerts for Cleveland Browns articles sent directly to your inbox.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Connor Byrne

...Sorry, Connor Byrne's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report