Saturday, September 2, 2006
Cleveland is hoping that veteran center Hank Fraley -- just acquired from Philadelphia -- will anchor their line.
BEREA (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns' crazy carousel at center took another spin Saturday.
The club, which has gone through four starting centers since the start of training camp, acquired veteran Hank Fraley from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft.
Fraley's arrival will hopefully solidify a problematic position, which has dominoed into more chaos since Pro Bowl free agent LeCharles Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury on the Browns' first contact play of training camp.
Bentley's loss was followed by the sudden retirement of Bob Hallen, who quit citing a back problem the Browns claim they knew nothing about. Hallen's departure was then compounded by free agent Alonzo Ephraim being suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Tucker terminated
The Browns then acquired Ross Tucker in a trade from New England and Lennie Friedman in a deal with Chicago. But Tucker, who started the final exhibition game against the Bears, had his contract terminated Saturday.
Now, it's up to Fraley, a 6-foot-2, 300-pounder who made 71 career starts for the Eagles, to anchor the line.
It was a busy day for the Browns, who made 22 roster moves to get down to the 53-player limit.
Running back Lee Suggs, who was Cleveland's leading rusher in 2004 but slowed by injuries throughout his career, was waived. The club tried to trade Suggs last month, but the deal was voided and he returned when the New York Jets said the 26-year-old failed their physical.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Suggs' medical history had no bearing on the decision.
"If that had been a major factor, he would have been cut last year," Crennel said.
Green's status
The Browns also placed on injured reserve running back William Green, who led them to the playoffs as a rookie and has overcome personal problems. Green may stay on IR and be paid for the season, but, if the club works out a settlement, he'll be cut and could re-sign with Cleveland or elsewhere.
With Suggs and Green gone, second-year back Jason Wright will back up starter Reuben Droughns.
Wide receiver Frisman Jackson and cornerback Pete Hunter also had their contracts terminated.
Rookie nose tackle Babtunde Oshinowo, a sixth-round draft pick, was also waived, but the Browns might try to keep him on their practice squad.
The team also announced that defensive back Daven Holly has been suspended for one game for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.
Suggs' trail
Suggs, a fourth-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech in 2003, led the Browns with 744 yards two years ago. At times, Suggs showed great breakaway speed. He ripped off a 78-yard TD run against Cincinnati in the final game as a rookie, but his biggest problem was he couldn't stay on the field.
Suggs missed 23 of 48 career games with neck, shoulder, toe, ankle and thumb injuries.
He was expected to be Cleveland's No. 1 back in '04, but missed the first three games with a neck injury. Suggs played in seven games, missed three more with a toe injury, and finished the 2004 season with three straight 100-yard games.