Browns | Team acquires H. Fraley

[Kochman]

Browns | Team acquires H. Fraley
Sat, 2 Sep 2006 11:52:52 -0700

Dave Spadaro, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, reports the Philadelphia Eagles have traded C Hank Fraley to the Cleveland Browns for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

[bengaldee]

Browns announce cuts, get Fraley
browns.com

The Browns announced 19 roster cuts Saturday and made a trade, acquiring veteran C Hank Fraley from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Browns traded an undisclosed 2008 draft pick to acquire Fraley, a 6-year veteran who will compete with Lennie Friedman for the starting center job.

Fraley is the sixth center the Browns have acquired since Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first day of training camp. Alonzo Ephraim, the first acquired after Bentley's injury, is suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2006 season.


Romeo Crennel


Photo By John H. Reid III


Ross Tucker, who started the final three preseason games at center, was among the Browns' cuts Saturday. The team terminated the contracts of Tucker, WR Frisman Jackson and CB Pete Hunter and waived RB Lee Suggs and LB Nick Speegle.

RB William Green (quadriceps) was placed on injured-reserve, and Browns coach Romeo Crennel said the team may reach an injury settlement that would allow Green to become a free agent.

"We have a few days to reach a settlement with him," Crennel said. "If we are able to reach a settlement, he'll be able to come back to the team at a later date. If he remains on injured-reserve, that's where he'll be for the year."

The Browns also waived NT Babatunde Oshinowo, a 2006 sixth-round pick, and their final three 2005 draft picks: Speegle, OG Andrew Hoffman and OT Jonathan Dunn.

The Browns also waived WR Kendrick Mosley, FB Corey McIntyre, OL Dave Yovanovits, LB Justin Kurpeikis, TE John Owens, CB Therrian Fontenot, DE Darrell Campbell and four undrafted rookies, C Rob Smith, CB Jereme Perry, S Andrew Pace and QB Darrell Hackney.

LB Clifton Smith was waived-injured.

SECONDARY QUESTIONS-The Browns kept nine defensive backs, but they may be without two veterans for next week's season opener.

Safety Brian Russell had minor surgery to remove a bursar sac in his elbow Friday morning and will likely be questionable when the Browns release their first official injury report of the season this week.

"He'll be a game-time decision as of right now," Crennel said. "He'll be OK and he might even be ready to play in the (New Orleans) game."

If Russell can't play, the two young players who have been battling for the safety job next to Russell - Brodney Pool and Sean Jones - would start together.

Crennel said Daylon McCutcheon (knee) has been running, but he might not be ready for game action by next week.

"He's been running, but it's been on the side and he hasn't done anything with the team yet," Crennel said.

WRIGHT CHOICE-The Browns kept three running backs: Reuben Droughns, Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright.

Crennel said the Browns kept Wright because he proved to be "dependable."

"(Wright) can help on special teams and he's a smart guy," Crennel said. "He can catch the ball out of the backfield and we've been able to see him run the ball. He can step up and pick up a block. He's done everything that we've asked our running backs to do and we felt like he would be able to handle the load."

QUICK HITS-Crennel said starting RT Ryan Tucker came out of his first preseason action "feeling good"...Crennel said the team would like to sign Rob Smith to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Browns can begin signing players to the eight-man practice squad Sunday...Ephraim does not count on the roster while he serves his suspension. CB Daven Holly is also suspended for one week for violating the league's personal conduct policy.