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Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
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Do IT this week: Layering
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 07:26 p.m. EDT, May 28, 2009
BEREA: Center Hank Fraley learned the Browns had drafted his successor from several text messages he received during Eric Steinbach's wedding.
If Steinbach accepted congratulations from coach Eric Mangini before walking down the aisle, Mangini probably also whispered, ''A couple extra pieces of wedding cake wouldn't hurt.''
The offensive line seemed like a unit in transition as the Browns concluded their second voluntary minicamp Thursday. Steinbach said every practice in the past two weeks has featured a different first-team front.
While Mangini's vision for the group is unclear beyond playing the five best linemen, there could be some changes in store.
Mangini hopes Steinbach, the Browns' two-year starter at left guard, can beef up. Left tackle Joe Thomas, Steinbach and Fraley are considered finesse players and Mangini might want to develop a more physical style, especially with a physical running back like Jamal Lewis.
Rex Hadnot, who started 15 games at right guard last season, is also getting some snaps at left guard, perhaps for that reason.
Alex Mack, last year's winner of the academic Heisman from Cal, will try to unseat Fraley. Fraley's future with the Browns is uncertain, even after his arrival in an August, 2006 trade saved the Browns after LeCharles Bentley's injury.
Gone is Kevin Shaffer, who started all 47 games he played at right and left tackle for the Browns the past three seasons.
In free agency, the Browns added Floyd ''Pork Chop'' Womack from the Seattle Seahawks and John St. Clair from the Chicago Bears. Thus far, Womack has worked at both guard spots and St. Clair has been at right tackle behind Ryan Tucker, hoping to regain a starting job after knee and hip surgery limited him to one game last year.
The most intriguing situation will be at center, where Fraley has two years remaining on a four-year, $9 million contract signed in March, 2007.
A two-time Browns captain, Fraley said he will treat Mack just as he was treated by the Pittsburgh Steelers' Dermontti Dawson when he joined the Steelers as a rookie free agent in 2000.
''I don't hold back any secrets,'' Fraley said of Mack. ''When he came in, I told him I'd help him out with calls. I try to help him as much as I can. It's all about the Browns and we want to win here.''
Fraley said he didn't know a center was on the radar, although the Browns dropped down three times before landing Mack at No. 21.
''You get neighbors asking, 'Who are we getting?' and I always just tell them the same thing, 'I just work here. I have no clue what the management is thinking,' '' Fraley said.
There is the perception that Fraley struggled last season, especially against NFC East foes. But a 4-12 season that resulted in the firing of coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage made it hard to tell.
''There's definitely plays I'd like to have back, but overall I thought I played fine,'' Fraley said. ''Ultimately you want the 'W.' When you don't, it makes everybody look bad.''
While he works on footwork, hand placement, height and pad level, Fraley said he is also open to a move to guard.
''I'll try to fit, whatever's going to happen,'' he said.
Steinbach, who has five years remaining on a seven-year, $49.5 million deal, didn't seem threatened by the rotating players during minicamp.
''Competition's always a good thing,'' he said.
He's been more consumed with consumption. Since the start of the offseason program March 15, he said he's put on 12 pounds, although he is still below 300.
''You can't tell? What do you mean?'' said Steinbach, who is 6-foot-6. ''I don't think there's any magic number to be. A few extra pounds might help for the bumps and bruises I had last year. I'm still quick.''
Mangini is more than willing to help Steinbach put on more.
''The more Eric hangs out with me, the better chance he has to bulk up,'' Mangini said. ''A lot of guys on the coaching staff can help in that area. You want him to be at the optimum weight to perform the best for the long haul.
''A couple extra plates of pasta wouldn't hurt.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns
BEREA: Center Hank Fraley learned the Browns had drafted his successor from several text messages he received during Eric Steinbach's wedding.
If Steinbach accepted congratulations from coach Eric Mangini before walking down the aisle, Mangini probably also whispered, ''A couple extra pieces of wedding cake wouldn't hurt.''
The offensive line seemed like a unit in transition as the Browns concluded their second voluntary minicamp Thursday. Steinbach said every practice in the past two weeks has featured a different first-team front.
While Mangini's vision for the group is unclear beyond playing the five best linemen, there could be some changes in store.
Mangini hopes Steinbach, the Browns' two-year starter at left guard, can beef up. Left tackle Joe Thomas, Steinbach and Fraley are considered finesse players and Mangini might want to develop a more physical style, especially with a physical running back like Jamal Lewis.
Rex Hadnot, who started 15 games at right guard last season, is also getting some snaps at left guard, perhaps for that reason.
Alex Mack, last year's winner of the academic Heisman from Cal, will try to unseat Fraley. Fraley's future with the Browns is uncertain, even after his arrival in an August, 2006 trade saved the Browns after LeCharles Bentley's injury.
Gone is Kevin Shaffer, who started all 47 games he played at right and left tackle for the Browns the past three seasons.
In free agency, the Browns added Floyd ''Pork Chop'' Womack from the Seattle Seahawks and John St. Clair from the Chicago Bears. Thus far, Womack has worked at both guard spots and St. Clair has been at right tackle behind Ryan Tucker, hoping to regain a starting job after knee and hip surgery limited him to one game last year.
The most intriguing situation will be at center, where Fraley has two years remaining on a four-year, $9 million contract signed in March, 2007.
A two-time Browns captain, Fraley said he will treat Mack just as he was treated by the Pittsburgh Steelers' Dermontti Dawson when he joined the Steelers as a rookie free agent in 2000.
''I don't hold back any secrets,'' Fraley said of Mack. ''When he came in, I told him I'd help him out with calls. I try to help him as much as I can. It's all about the Browns and we want to win here.''
Fraley said he didn't know a center was on the radar, although the Browns dropped down three times before landing Mack at No. 21.
''You get neighbors asking, 'Who are we getting?' and I always just tell them the same thing, 'I just work here. I have no clue what the management is thinking,' '' Fraley said.
There is the perception that Fraley struggled last season, especially against NFC East foes. But a 4-12 season that resulted in the firing of coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage made it hard to tell.
''There's definitely plays I'd like to have back, but overall I thought I played fine,'' Fraley said. ''Ultimately you want the 'W.' When you don't, it makes everybody look bad.''
While he works on footwork, hand placement, height and pad level, Fraley said he is also open to a move to guard.
''I'll try to fit, whatever's going to happen,'' he said.
Steinbach, who has five years remaining on a seven-year, $49.5 million deal, didn't seem threatened by the rotating players during minicamp.
''Competition's always a good thing,'' he said.
He's been more consumed with consumption. Since the start of the offseason program March 15, he said he's put on 12 pounds, although he is still below 300.
''You can't tell? What do you mean?'' said Steinbach, who is 6-foot-6. ''I don't think there's any magic number to be. A few extra pounds might help for the bumps and bruises I had last year. I'm still quick.''
Mangini is more than willing to help Steinbach put on more.
''The more Eric hangs out with me, the better chance he has to bulk up,'' Mangini said. ''A lot of guys on the coaching staff can help in that area. You want him to be at the optimum weight to perform the best for the long haul.
''A couple extra plates of pasta wouldn't hurt.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns
Comments
Click here to post your comments
The, US
Posted 11:09 PM, 05/28/2009
Wow, an array of fat jokes about our new coach. Very classy commentary from the ABJ who-ore...
kent, oh
Posted 07:16 AM, 05/29/2009
Wow, an array of who-oreinsults against our ABJ reporter. Very Classy from the poster Flip the Bird.
Look DimBulb, Mangini was making the fat jokes about himself, Ridenour reported on the words.
We learn to read for context and situation in 4th and 5th grade. Next time check with your kids about what an article means before you comment....
Posted 07:30 AM, 05/29/2009
I don't care who starts, we have quality depth now. Just like we have quality help in our secondary and our D-line.
Mangini is making the right roster moves. He just has to prove he can manage a game and a season. That's where he's been criticized the most.
Snydertown, OH
Posted 08:52 AM, 05/29/2009
I'll bet my life that there are more questions than just about the center.
Stow, OH
Posted 08:59 AM, 05/29/2009
I love the fact that Fraley is willing to move to a guard spot,which I think he is better suited and makes are front line look a lot tougher .The front line is the key to our winning,more time to throw,a solid running game . I can't wait .
baytown, TX
Posted 09:57 AM, 05/29/2009
Way to eary to predict what the line is going to look like in 3 months. It's going to be the meanest, Toughest 5 guys they have out of the 8 or 9 they have, We are going to run the ball this year.
