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Hank Fraley helps Alex Mack while they compete for Cleveland Browns' center position
Friday, May 29, 2009
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
Browns center Hank Fraley was at teammate Eric Steinbach's wedding reception in Chicago when he received word that the Browns drafted center Alex Mack with the No. 21 overall pick.

"Yeah, I had people text me, I'm not going to lie," he said at voluntary camp Thursday. "It was all good. You just keep playing. You don't stick around for 10 years without playing."

So what did Fraley do when he first met his successor?

"I told him I'd help him out with the calls," said Fraley. "I don't hold back any secrets. I'm a team player and I try to help him as much as I can. That's kind of how I was brought in with [seven-time Pro Bowler] Dermontti Dawson of the Steelers and that's how I'll probably end up leaving the league. That's how I've been with Mack."

Fraley, who's still working with the first team, said he's up for competition at the spot he's solidified the past three seasons.

"Coaches bring in new guys every year, so it's just a challenge that I've got to meet," said Fraley. "I'll just go out there and play and let the coaches make their decisions."

Fraley, heading into his 10th season, had no idea the Browns were planning to draft a center.

"I'm just a player and I have no clue what management is thinking," he said. "You can't control who they bring in or draft."

He did, however, think he played well last season.

"Honestly, I thought I actually played fine," he said. "As a team we didn't do as well as we would've liked, so it's hard to judge how you play. If I had to grade myself, there's definitely plays I'd like to have back, but overall I thought I played fine."

Despite Mack's presence, Fraley hasn't been taking reps at guard yet. "It's whatever they ask and right now it's been mostly center," he said. "I'll try to fit, whatever's going to happen."

Fraley's early reviews of Mack are positive.

"He's playing well," said Fraley. "He's a young player, but he's good and I think he'll be a really good player down the line too."


Pick parade:

The defense reigned Thursday by intercepting both Derek Anderson and
Brady Quinn at the end of their two-minute drills. Anderson was intercepted by D'Qwell Jackson and Quinn was picked off by sixth-round pick Coye Francies. Earlier, in 7-on-7s, sixth-round pick Don Carey swiped a pass from Quinn. . . . Braylon Edwards caught a deep ball from Anderson over Brandon McDonald off a flea-flicker.

Elam kudos:

Coach Eric Mangini had praise for former Jets safety Abe Elam, who's working with the first-team at strong safety.

"Abe's been fitting in really well," Mangini said. "He's got an excellent personality, he's outgoing, he enjoys working with the group. I've seen him watching film with the other DBs."

He described Elam as a "very aggressive player. We sometimes need to slow him to make sure he's in the proper position to make the play. He really has that aggressive mentality against the run."

Elam, who played at Kent State, said he was excited about the draft day trade that brought him here.

"It was an opportunity to go somewhere where I was wanted," he said. "I'm familiar with the staff and I know Cleveland. I'm excited about the fans and how they love their Browns."

Elam described himself as "a very smart player, very instinctive and physical." He said he's also thrilled to be reunited with Joshua Cribbs, his college quarterback.

Heiden recuperation:

Tight end Steve Heiden said he has no set date for his return from surgery in December to repair a torn ACL. Originally, his agent said he would be back by the opener. "I feel good," said Heiden. "I'll try to push [the doctors] to go as soon as I can and we'll see."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

Nice read, wouldn't expect anything less from Hank.


As a sidenote, I had no idea Elam went to Kent State..nice to have a local guy make it.

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"Abe's been fitting in really well," Mangini said. "He's got an excellent personality, he's outgoing, he enjoys working with the group. I've seen him watching film with the other DBs."

He described Elam as a "very aggressive player. We sometimes need to slow him to make sure he's in the proper position to make the play. He really has that aggressive mentality against the run."

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This is what I was afraid of. It sounds like Elam is another strong safety. I kind of wish we drafted that Rashad Johnson? out of Alabama. I just want a guy whose job it is to play FS ala Kerry Rhodes.

And someone, I'm not going to say their name and make them look foolish, assured me that Elam was a FS whose knack was picking off balls and coverage. I just hope that he's better at coverage than Sean Jones, because otherwise that trade down looks a little stupid.



As for Hank teaching Mack, it sounds great to me, and I hope he stays on our team throughout camp. I do think Fraley defintely didn't play as well last year as he has in the past, but there is a lot that Mack can learn from him, that's for sure

Hank is a classy guy. He came to the Browns when they were desperate for a center has done a solid job. But he is slowing down and can see the handwriting on the wall. But instead of sulking, he's stepped up to teach his replacement the ropes. Sounds like an O-line coach in the making, if he so desires. Thanks, Hank.

hmmm- i knew Heiden hurt his knee, but was under the impression it was a MCl strain. Was it common knowledge that it was an ACL injury. That blows. Being ready for the opener is optimistic, and how much training camp he misses will be a factor as well.

As for Fraley, he's a class act and would expect nothing less out of him. I said it before and will say it again- if he is not in the browns plans this year, then i hope they move him sooner rather than cut him at the end. He deserves the chance to catch on with another team.

And we have the right to use him until we decide he's no longer a useful part of the team.

But yeah I agree with the gist of your post... it'd be nice if a solid vet like him were given plenty of time to catch on with another team, IF we deem him expendable.

You can say it was me; I don't mind. And I firmly stand by what I said. Elam is better suited at free safety.

Hank has always been 100 percent class

I don't doubt that for one second. He's played hard, seems to be a good guy and hasn't been a horse's ass. I hope my post didn't seem too harsh on Hank the Tank.
He's alright in my book.

Not to harsh, I just got a soft spot for guys who bust their ass, have a great attitude and do anything they can for the TEAM

Ditto, but when a guy isn't playing up to snuff, he needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, Hank wasn't.

Well at least if Elam's a bust we can throw cribbs back there

"After reading this, I was just thinking that I wouldnt be suprised if McDonald doesnt make this team.
Obviosly, coaches and GMs bring in players thru the draft and free agency that they think will fit and succeed in their systems. Most coaches prefer players that they are familiar to and know what they can bring to the table. Mangini and Kokinis (whos job is believed to go get what Mangini wants) must have saw that last years CBs was a weakness because they released or didnt re-sign any of the players whose contracts were up"

???

Without a doubt M/K saw the CB UNIT as a very weak link - but outside of a very late pickup of Hood - we have done nothing that spells or even hints that M/K was dissatisfied with either of our two young starters.

Surely we would have gone after a FA starter, Surely we would have used one of our 4 first day picks on a CB if that was the case.

There is a shot that Hood could beat out McD for a starter spot dropping McD into the Nickel CB spot. But that should be as far as his decline might go.

There really is no move that hints at disatisfaction. Surely the taking of 2 6th round CBs cannot mean any threat to a young starting CB. Nor the signing of lower tiered and inexpensive Poteat and Ivey.

Only Hood which came at the 11th hour and well after the draft - and that was because we were able to sign him reasonably and that he wanted to come here.

Remember this threat to McD has only a one year contract...if he starts and we have an above .500 season guarantee you he'll be looking for the 10 mil per season contract and work from that.

The only threat to unseat McD from his starting position will not be here long term. Unless he is just our Nickel Corner and we sign him to a reasonable 3-4 year contract.

JMHO

It's early ..when they get the pads on and start hitting and covering we'll see who's skillset projects them to a certain position..and that includes Elam/Pool..Pool's coverage skills are lacking...he supports the run better but I am concerned about the concussions..

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Anderson was intercepted by D'Qwell Jackson and Quinn was picked off by sixth-round pick Coye Francies.

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Obviously if Quinn is getting picked off by 6th Rounders, then he is no good...

Obviously if Quinn is getting picked off by 6th Rounders, then he is no good...

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I just got a soft spot for guys who bust their ass, have a great attitude and do anything they can for the TEAM

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You & me both, brother.

I hope he teaches Mack how to rumble downfield on those long runs that Harrison might bust off. Seemed like every time Jamal broke one open, there was Hank, blowing up defenders way downfield...

Like everyone has said, he's a quality person, and an asset, even if he ends up on the bench during the season.

There's a reason my family calls him Hank the Tank. He is always down field clearing the way, giving it his all.

hes also down there cause he blocks no one on the way ..

i love the guy .. hes a great guy and I hope we keep him around .. to me his biggest asset is that he can teach mack to do the things he is NOT CAPABLE OF DOING .. :

theres a reason we drafted a Center as opposed to a RG or RT (as those spots are far from solidified) ... think about it ..

and again .. hank is a great guy and we need a team full of guys that will give his effort .. we also need guys who can do there jobs MUCH BETTER THAN HANK CAN ..

sorry guys .. Love Hank .. but he needs to be on the bench just like Dra .. LOVED HIM TO .. just not a very good football player ....

Exactly.

Ditto that...

I am a Fraley pimp, and he is a quality lineman. I think he was forced to help out too much and struggled with the physical level of the game by season's end. But for "heart & hustle" gradeout, he is still aces in my book.
We had a dumb and predictable ground game ("couldn't bring myself to type "attack" in there). Our scheme needs revamped overall. And we need to execute basics better. Love Jamal, but he is looking for the cutback to the point of missing some decent holes or seams. We did little to help him on the coaching side. I would love to see a convoy downfield led by Mack. Jim Brown's success was due to scrambling downfield blocking as well as his own dominating talent.

I don't think he was forced to help anyone... People say that he had to constantly help Hadnot.. Hadnot IMO held his own.. Fraley went to help him on a lot of instances, and then our QB got blown up by the MLB... Why??

"I was reading the article, an idea jumped into my head, so I posted it and gave a supporting thought as to way Im wouldnt be suprised if it happened."

I see - I did put myself in your place and regardless of playing into the article or not, there would be no occasion that I could get myself to WRITE - "I wouldnt be suprised if McDonald doesnt make this team."

I ASSumed that was your opinion. Regardless of the context in place only cause in my Opinion I would be very, very shocked if McD didn't make this team.

And then proceeded to explain my position. I go through the pains to Quote exactly what you say...I don't see how I can take it out of context...you said it. You thought it, you typed it. Not me.

There is no reason for me to defend your position that you don't think he's a complete bum and should get a look at other teams if he is cut

Instead of seeking why I was wrong in criticizing you simply defend your opinion.

If its indefensible after I make my comments maybe instead of crying foul on me...just say, hey maybe I'm wrong.

All that you responded to doesn't make one bit more logic to what you wrote and think...THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF McD DIDN'T MAKE THIS TEAM.

Again my apologies for having a different opinion and showing why I do so

IMO.. if a MLB comes clean through the middle of the line... It's the Center's fault...

I could see if he was occupied by the DT/NT or whoever.. but the times I remember.. Fraley went to help Hadnot (don't know why at times) and the MLB got a free SMACK on the QB...

Not to mention.. I think Fraley's attitude (not sure if thats the right word) changed when Anderson got snagged and benched.... I know he made some comments that came out in reports as unknown, but all the words pointed to Fraley saying them.

J/C

To comment on the title of the thread, I would expect nothing less from Fraley. He is a pro, and a true team player. I hope that he is still a Brown until he retires. People use the term " to be a Cleveland Brown", to me Fraley epitomizes what being a "Cleveland Brown" means......dedicated, enthusiastic, selfless, and determined.

Here's to Hank