In a somewhat surprising move, the Cleveland Browns waived veteran center Hank Fraley on Wednesday. With Rex Hadnot set to test the free agent market on Friday, the Browns will be thin at the backup guard and backup center positions heading into free agency.
Fraley, who saw spot action at guard last season, was generally considered a team captain and locker room leader. It's not necessarily a huge loss for the Browns, but with his versatility and experience, I didn't see any problem with keeping him for another season. With the tremendous season that rookie center Alex Mack had last season though, I guess the front office was ready to move on.
Fraley was quite surprised by the move, as he told the OBR:
“I was talking with the Browns at the end of the season and was feeling pretty good that I would be a Brown again,” Fraley said while traveling in New Jersey. “It caught me off guard. I just have to pick up and move on.”
According to ESPN, Fraley doesn't plan on calling it a career just yet and will see what teams are interested in him in free agency:
"I definitely want to keep playing for two or three more years," he said. "My body feels great and I feel fresh mentally. I'm not ready to walk away from the game."
As another brief note, Joshua Cribbs has announced that he will hold a public press conference at the I-X Center's Auto Show this Friday. The Plain Dealer speculates that he will announce a deal has been reached.
0 recs | 11 comments
What happens to his radio show?
SpecialBrownie - March 3, 2010
I really enjoyed that show, when I heard it.
Dan Kadar - March 3, 2010
I’m surprised. I guess the browns are really planning on making some additions to the O-Line in the draft. Fraley was decent depth at least? Unusual move. I suppose his contract was bigger than what they could pay a younger replacement in free agency. Maybe they are looking to hook Kevin Mawae for 1-2 seasons.
jaws. - March 4, 2010
If they do add to the O-line through the draft Frank would probably end up getting cut before camp anyways. At least now he has more time to try and catch on somewhere else.
Monsters of the Midway - March 4, 2010
Haha nice
Hank + Fraley = Frank.
skipkirk - March 4, 2010
Fraley had been getting dominated from time to time. I’m guessing some group discussions over game film yielded the decision.
Good luck elsewhere Hank.
danvail - March 4, 2010
You know what? I´m tempted to grab him as a guard, and start a new franchise around him.
mooncamping - March 4, 2010
Are you stepping down from GM candidacy for Tom Heckert?
North Coast Flea - March 4, 2010
He stepped down awhile ago.
SpecialBrownie - March 4, 2010
Right. I quit, don´t remember when.
mooncamping - March 5, 2010
This will be a interesting weekend in the NFL.
With rumors running around Browns trying to acquire a QB, we will see.
Grockcubs - March 4, 2010
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