Fraley legitimizes Browns’ once-bleak center spot

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, September 04, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Cleveland Browns
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After spending most of the past month-plus going through a bevy of different players at the center position, the Cleveland Browns finally made their ultimate decision on Saturday, trading for a proven blocker more than capable of starting.

In the end, the Browns came to the conclusion that none of their centers were good enough, so they grabbed Hank Fraley from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.

Cleveland thought it had a big-time center for the future in free-agent pickup and two-time Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley, but the $36 million man was hurt early in training camp with a torn patellar tendon, which will keep him out for all of 2006. Thereafter, the Browns hedged their bets with Bob Hallen, who abruptly retired.

The underperforming Alonzo Ephraim was the next choice, but he was suspended for the first four games of the year for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. That left Cleveland down to its fourth-string man, veteran castoff Ross Tucker. He, however, wasn't good enough in the Browns' preseason, so they released him, making way for Fraley.

Fraley broke into the league back in 2000 as an undrafted free agent out of Robert Morris. After not taking a single snap as a rookie, the 6-foot-2, 300-pounder became one of the Eagles' best linemen, starting in 71 regular-season games and 10 playoff matchups, including the team's Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the New England Patriots.

Last year, however, an injury forced the 28-year-old to miss half the season. That torn rotator cuff caused Fraley to lose his starting job to former practice squad player Jamaal Jackson, who impressed everyone in Philadelphia last season. Jackson entered the summer as the No. 1 center for the Eagles, and he maintained that position. Meanwhile, Fraley tried to make a shift to guard, but it didn't work out.

Clearly, the Eagles' trash will be the Browns' gain. Though Fraley may not be on the same level he used to, there's no doubt the Gaithersburg, Md. native still has plenty of game left in his tank.

Cleveland general manager Phil Savage truly made a smart trade in this case, since he isn't going to leave young quarterback Charlie Frye behind an incapable center up front. The deal, of course, also helps the Browns' running game, bolstered by 1,200-yard man Reuben Droughns.

Throughout his four-plus-year stint as a starter on the Eagles' offensive line, Fraley was always known as someone willing to put in large amounts of work. He would regularly stay long hours after practice to break down game film with quarterback Donovan McNabb, leading the pair to understand opposing defenses better and form a top-notch rapport.

"A quarterback has to trust his center to make the right calls," said McNabb. "Hank is as good as anybody I've seen at it."

Assuming Fraley continues to put in the work, Frye, like McNabb, will love taking snaps from the respected center.

Following month-long panic at the Cleveland Browns' center position, there is now relief. Fraley has a chance to prove himself all over again, and it starts this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints' defensive line.

--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to readers' questions and comments on a daily basis: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

RealFootball365.com brings you Cleveland Browns coverage each and every week.
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