DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Fraley signs with browns

Good!!!............now let the games begin.

Clements and Big Stein here we come!

Though earlier in the year I didn't think too highly of it... given the market situation and his solid play... I'm definitely pleased. LeChuckles won't be back so this was necessity. Now we just need a few good men on the interior and another tackle and we'll be able to run an offense.

Good first post

The offense begins and ends with the offensive line. Fraley is serviceable and fills a big need. Good first move, Phil. Now go out and grab a couple FA impact starters.

I love this time of year!! Go Browns!!

Wow... Savage called it, said he didn't expect a deal with Hank until the 11th hour before FA opened. Good job gettin' 'er done.

Way to go Phil,,, I'm very pleased that Hank is staying put,,,,

Can't verify it, but it sounds accurate, on Channel 3 a few moments ago, it was reported that a contract offer went out to Clements.. Last night, on Channel 19 WOIO, Chuck Galette said that a league insider confirmed that the browns will seek a deal with Eric Stienbach,,,, As if we didn't already know that, but dang it all, it's fun to hear that stuff isn't it?

1 need filled , AT LEAST 3 to go ...

So far so good.

Good news.


I think the signing is what promped this report as found on GBN:

Eagles-Browns trade comp confirmed… We have got some pretty good information that last year’s trade between Philadelphia and Cleveland which saw the Browns acquire C Hank Fraley for a conditional 2008 pick has been confirmed as for a 5th round selection next year.

Good news...now get Fraley's fat butt in shape...

Saw it on the ticker last night. I was excited to say the least. It said on ESPN it was a 4 year deal...makes me wonder if LeCharles is done...as much as I'd like to see him back this makes it seem like that much more of a possibility. Either way Hank is a good insurance policy to have. Now get Steinbach or Dielman in here and we're a G away from a hopefully servicable line.

I'm glad to see it. Is Hank the greatest C in the league? Nah, but he's definitely serviceable. With Bentley out, it's nice to know that we have a C who can do what needs to be done. Pick up a G or two and he's that much better.

Also, if Bentley comes back, we could always move Hank to one of the G positions (or Bentley to a G and keep Hank at C). Either way, we needed Hank back for 2007.

Good job Brownies!

HOORAY!!

Guess now we can go after Blalock in the 2nd not Kalil.

4 years..I will be interested with the specifics..
Wonder if they doubt on Bentley's return?

lincoln

Fraley off the market
Browns reach deal with center

Friday, March 02, 2007

Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter

The Browns worked down to the deadline to sign center Hank Fraley and keep him out of the free-agent market.

Fraley and the Browns agreed to a four-year contract. Terms were unavailable.

Earlier in the afternoon, talks broke down and agent Ralph Cindrich said the Browns didn't have a high regard for Fraley.

It appeared the Browns would seek to replace Fraley with former Browns center Shaun O'Hara. But after O'Hara agreed to a five-year deal to stay with the New York Giants later in the evening, the Browns went into desperation mode to keep Fraley.

There were no other comparable centers available in free agency.

Fraley was no superstar, but he did rescue the position for the Browns last season after high-priced free agent LeCharles Bentley went down with a knee injury on the first team drill of training camp and three other centers failed to replace him.

Fraley was acquired eight days before the season opener for a seventh-round pick in 2008 sent to the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not miss an offensive snap through the 16-game season.

"I think the thing that hurts Hank is they got him too cheaply. He was a Pro Bowl alternate [before they got him]," Cindrich said before a deal was reached on Thursday.

Efforts to reach Browns General Manager Phil Savage were unsuccessful.

Re-signing Fraley became a priority after it was disclosed that Bentley would most likely miss the 2007 season after a possible third surgery on his left knee in May or June.

The only other Browns player under contract who has played center is Rob Smith, an undrafted free agent in 2006 who played mostly guard at Tennessee.

Steinbach visit:

Bengals free-agent guard Eric Steinbach is scheduled to visit the Browns today, his first visit in free agency, a source said. Weather permitting in Chicago, he'll fly here today.


Also interested in Steinbach are the Seahawks and another NFC team that wants him to play left tackle.

Steinbach is one of the Browns' top priorities in free agency, and they'd like to sign him before he visits other teams.

Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot contributed to this report.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

It appeared the Browns would seek to replace Fraley with former Browns center Shaun O'Hara. But after O'Hara agreed to a five-year deal to stay with the New York Giants later in the evening, the Browns went into desperation mode to keep Fraley.

O'Hara MADE THEM GO into desperation mode?
This is crap..no way is he that good..he's cheap..I would have went after Al Johnson...


There were no other comparable centers available in free agency.


Please Grossi..GMAB...

Indeed, a very nice first post

He deserved to be resigned. Even if we still draft a center, he needed to stay.

Quote:

---

Also interested in Steinbach are the Seahawks and another NFC team that wants him to play left tackle.

Steinbach is one of the Browns' top priorities in free agency, and they'd like to sign him before he visits other teams.

---

Good I totally agree with that approach. Go get em' Phil!!!

Thanks. To me this seems to be a decent move. Fraley IMO, is a serviceable center. An average player at his position. A stater on close to 10 other teams in the NFL. This is a move the Browns needed to make. Or they would have to gamble on another FA prospect or draft a center. If Fraley was so sought after, valuable they would have inked him sooner. Unless Fraley set a date for this timing which is a smart and shrewed move.

Good this seems to be a good move but nothing to get all jacked about. IMO.

That's called "still paying for Butch Davis".

O'Hara was Plan A? The timing almost works, but I wouldn't put money on it.

WOOHOO Thats good news for Browns fans, and great news for the Fraley family.

I'm glad we signed Fraley.

I can see that Plan A and B thing being floated out there. I'm sure Phil was trying to get Fraley as inexpensively as possible and Fraley was trying to get as much as possible. The usual game in pro sports tehse days.

Thank God.

Now I'll have to pray for Clements.

You know, I'm a big fan of Ohara for many reasons. He's a solid center, but more, he has become a pillar of the community here in NY. He does more for charity etc than the vast majority of pro athletes. Great work ethic. I would mind a guy like that on the browns. That said, I can't say I'd consider him plan A, unless it was from a purely dollar sign position. I'm glad Hank signed, imho, he was our best option at center, he did nothing to lose his job last year.

Frankly, though, I'm surprised he didn't at least stick his toe in the water. I'll go on a limb and say he must be relatively happy here. Toad did a pretty good job assesing his value in the league, and I think many teams would have put in a bid. Now of course there is no "official talk" untill this AM, but I would assume he had some idea who would be interested. Well, I am certainly not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth, so Welcome aboard Hank!

Glad to hear that we will be seeing more of Hank "the Tank" Fraley. Danielle, just want to say welcome home girl!

Glad to hear we kept him, one less thing to worry about. He's not likely gonna make any trips to Honolulu, but he's solid, and a blue collar gamer.

Great News !!!!!

Yes a major need filled!

Congratulations Danielle...wow a new kid, a new contract, a new home!!!!

Couldn't have happened to a nicer person

Now get that Hubby of yours into that gym! We want his best year EVER!!!!
Good Health and Wealth!

Welcome Back...even though ya never really left! Give our regards and well wishes to him.

That pick was widely reported to be conditional. Where did you get the info for it being a 7th rounder.

It might be a conditional pick???

What are the conditions?

I don't know can only regurgitate what I have heard discussed by other posters.

If we didn't use him it would have cost a 7th rounder in 08.
If we used him and didn't sign him long term (his contract had one year left) a 6th rounder in 08.
If we used him and signed him to a new contract. a 5th rounder in 08.

Can't confirm 100% certainty. But sounds about right???

JMHASSumption.

I posted something from GBN this morning saying it was confirmed to be a 5th rounder.

The conditions probably hung on us being able to sign him after last season.

Again....from Great Blue North:

Eagles-Browns trade comp confirmed… We have got some pretty good information that last year’s trade between Philadelphia and Cleveland which saw the Browns acquire C Hank Fraley for a conditional 2008 pick has been confirmed as for a 5th round selection next year.


http://www.gbnreport.com/

Thanks I just read in the other Fraley thread an ESPN confirmation of the signing and in it states we traded for him with a 5th round 08 pick.

Whatever the conditions...I think its pretty official it for a 5th round 08 pick.

And the way we are building a team - hopefully that 5th rounder would have a tough time making the team by 08's draft

JMHappyDay!

It is reported 4 years 9 million for Hank.

canton rep

LEVELAND (AP) - Free agent Eric Steinbach will visit the Cleveland Browns, who hope to persuade him to stay permanently.

Steinbach, regarded as the top offensive lineman in this year's class, was scheduled to arrive at the team's headquarters in Berea on Friday. The Browns are one of several teams interested in the versatile and durable 6-foot-6 290-pounder.

Steinbach can play guard or tackle, making him attractive to NFL teams looking for a cornerstone tackle. Seattle and Tampa Bay are among those interested.

The Browns would prefer to play the 26-year-old Steinbach on the outside, but there's a chance they could alter their look up front if they can sign him. One possibility would be playing Steinbach at left tackle, moving Kevin Shaffer to the right side and switching Ryan Tucker from right tackle to guard.

Before hosting Steinbach, the Browns opened the free-agent signing period by agreeing to terms on a four-year deal worth approximately $9 million with center Hank Fraley.

Fraley rescued the Browns last season after they lost LeCharles Bentley to a career-threatening knee injury. Fraley provided stability, starting all 16 games after being acquired late in the exhibition season in a trade with Philadelphia.

With Bentley expected to miss the 2007 season, the Browns needed to lock up a seasoned center quickly and didn't want to risk losing Fraley to another team.

At 12:01 a.m., Browns general manager Phil Savage sent contract proposals to agents for several topflight free agents, including Steinbach and cornerback Nate Clements.

Clements, a Cleveland native, is the top cornerback on the market and could be seeking a deal similar to the seven-year $63 million contract Champ Bailey got from Denver in 2004.