 |
 |
 |
|
BEREA, Ohio -- Running back Lee Suggs, Cleveland's leading rusher in 2004 but slowed by injuries throughout his career, was waived Saturday as the Browns trimmed their roster to 53 players.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
And the Browns' carousel at center took another spin as they acquired Hank Fraley from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional draft pick in 2008. Fraley is the club's ninth center since the end of last season.
Fraley will compete with recently acquired Lennie Friedman for the starting job.
The club tried to trade Suggs last month, but the deal was voided and he returned when the New York Jets said the 26-year-old failed their physical.
The Browns also placed running back William Green on injured reserve. Green led Cleveland to the playoffs as a rookie and has overcome personal problems. Green can stay on IR and be paid for the season, but, if the club works out a settlement, he'll be cut and could re-sign with Cleveland or elsewhere.
Finally, the Browns seem to have cleared up their mess at center. During training camp free agent LeCharles Bentley sustained a season-ending injury and backup Bob Hallen suddenly retired.
Ross Tucker, acquired to plug the gap in the middle of the line, had his contract terminated along with wide receiver Frisman Jackson and cornerback Pete Hunter. Tucker started Thursday night's exhibition opener against Chicago.
Rookie nose tackle Babtunde Oshinowo, a sixth-round draft pick, was also waived, but the Browns might try to keep him on their practice squad.
The team also announced that defensive back Daven Holly has been suspended for one game for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.
Suggs, a fourth-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech in 2003, led the Browns with 744 yards two years ago. At times, Suggs showed great breakaway speed. He ripped off a 78-yard TD run against Cincinnati in the final game as a rookie, but his biggest problem was he couldn't stay on the field.
Suggs missed 23 of 48 career games with neck, shoulder, toe, ankle and thumb injuries.
He was expected to be Cleveland's No. 1 back in '04, but missed the first three games with a neck injury. Suggs played in seven games, missed three more with a toe injury, and finished the 2004 season with three straight 100-yard games.
Last summer, Suggs sprained his ankle during the preseason and sat out Cleveland's first two games. By the time he returned, Reuben Droughns had established himself as the Browns' first-team back. Suggs was inactive for six more games with a thumb injury and played mostly on special teams when he got back.
He finished the season with just 15 yards on eight carries.
willrust 
