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jiminphilly · Post by **jiminphilly** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:36 pm

NFL suspends Browns center
Ephraim violated league's substance abuse policy
Posted: Wednesday August 16, 2006 3:15PM; Updated: Wednesday August 16, 2006 3:15PM

BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- The Browns' gaping hole at center just got wider, and their training camp more bizarre.

Alonzo Ephraim, an emergency signing after LeCharles Bentley went down with a season-ending knee injury, was suspended Wednesday for the first four regular-season games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The league said Ephraim may continue to participate in all preseason games, practices and games. He will be eligible to rejoin the Browns' active roster on Oct. 2.

Ephraim played two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles and started three games for the Miami Dolphins last season. For him to be suspended, this would have to be his second violation under the league's policy.

The Browns signed Ephraim as a free agent on July 29, two days after Bentley tore his patellar tendon on the second day of camp.

Ephraim was initially brought in as a backup, but quickly moved into a starting job when veteran Bob Hallen abruptly retired, citing a back problem the Browns say they knew nothing about.

Ephraim started last week's preseason opener against Philadelphia, but earlier this week Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Ross Tucker, acquired last week in a trade from New England, will likely start Friday's exhibition game against the Detroit Lions.

The shuffling at center is only part of what has been a crazy camp for the Browns.

Bentley's injury was followed by cornerback Daylon McCutcheon and right tackle Ryan Tucker needing to have knee surgeries. Both will likely miss the rest of the preseason.

Last week, cornerback Gary Baxter strained a pectoral muscle and will miss three weeks. On Monday, the Browns traded running back Lee Suggs to the New York Jets, who then sent him back to Cleveland after he failed his physical.

And if all that wasn't enough, Browns owner Randy Lerner has bid $118 million to buy Aston Villa, one of the oldest clubs in English soccer.

Despite the apparent gloom and doom, Crennel is staying optimistic.

"There have been some issues at this camp, but I don't look at it as bizarre," he said. "Things happen. There are a lot of bizarre things that happen in football. If you've been around football for a long time, you see quite a few of them. Other things will happen before it's all said and done."

Rueben Droughns stock just hit rock bottom. :):):):):)

Qbert · Post by **Qbert** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:02 am

No mvscal no...not 2-14.

6-10 or 5-11...maybe.

i "pegged" the 6-10 last year...and had hoped to UP that to maybe 8-8 this year.

obviously, that's a crackpipe dream.

BROWNS Defense is going to be "pretty solid."

yes, they'll be everyone's AFC North BiiiiiiiTCH again....but, 2-14???

hell, the last Season that they went 2-14; they had like 7-8 starting QBs.

we're only talking Center here!

M2 · Post by M2 » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:32 am

Qbert wrote:No mvscal no...not 2-14.

i "pegged" the 6-10 last year...and had hoped to UP that to maybe 8-8 this year

... and you're a mod, why?

delusional ?

Th · Post by Th » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:42 am

The Patriots traded a backup interior lineman to the Browns after Hallen retired last week for a conditional draft pick in next year's draft. Looks like those 'conditions' just improved for the Pats haul in that deal.

Qbert · Post by **Qbert** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:43 am

i'm a m0d 'cuz peeps like you can't freakin' READ!

Niiiice comprehension of what I posted.

not surprising....coming from a Man of YOUR Stature...

enjoy your Season of Cellar Dwelling.....i'll do the same.

Qbert · Post by **Qbert** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:47 am

Th wrote:The Patriots traded a backup interior lineman to the Browns after Hallen retired last week for a conditional draft pick in next year's draft. Looks like those 'conditions' just improved for the Pats haul in that deal.

probably so Th....

....unless, of course Ross Tucker doesn't survive training camp himself.

Th · Post by Th » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:50 am

Qbert wrote:
Th wrote:The Patriots traded a backup interior lineman to the Browns after Hallen retired last week for a conditional draft pick in next year's draft. Looks like those 'conditions' just improved for the Pats haul in that deal.
probably so Th....

....unless, of course Ross Tucker doesn't survive training camp himself.

With the way they are dropping in Cleveland right now . . . . . . . . . . . . you may be well on your way to being prophetic.

~finger crossed on that deal~

Qbert · Post by **Qbert** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:58 am

not too PROUD of being on Center #4 before the 2nd Pre-Season Game.

the DB's will be ready to go for the opener against the 'Aints....as will RT Ryan Tucker.

still laughing out loud about Lee Suggs being "FIT" to play for the BROWNS and not the Jets....what the Fvck is that?

Th · Post by Th » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:52 am

Qbert wrote:not too PROUD of being on Center #4 before the 2nd Pre-Season Game.

the DB's will be ready to go for the opener against the 'Aints....as will RT Ryan Tucker.

still laughing out loud about Lee Suggs being "FIT" to play for the BROWNS and not the Jets....what the Fvck is that?

I just hope Tucker's conditions regarding the upcoming draft pick in trade are related directly to playing time AND that he stays healthy. As far as the Jets/Suggs scenario, smells like a hidden agenda on someone's part.

jiminphilly · Post by **jiminphilly** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:52 pm

Qbert wrote: we're only talking about the most important position on the offensive line!

FTFY

indyfrisco · Post by **indyfrisco** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Damn I'm hurting at RB now in my fantasy league.

Droughns - scratch
Dunn - old
Steven Davis - not signed yet
Curtis Martin - won't even play
DeAngelo Williams - rook

DallasFanatic · Post by **DallasFanatic** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:05 pm

I don't know if I stumbled upon the magical glasses of the football forum but I can actually read through a Q post and not get a headache. Rack Q for finally posting something readable.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:11 pm

mvscal wrote:
Qbert wrote:6-10 or 5-11...maybe.

You're dreaming. You have no quarterback. You have no skill position players and your offensive line is melting before your eyes.

Oh yes...you're in a tough division.

2-14

They've got Otto Graham, Jim Brown and Paul Warfield!!!

sin

Wolfman

Qbert · Post by **Qbert** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:03 am

DallasFanatic wrote:I don't know if I stumbled upon the magical glasses of the football forum but I can actually read through a Q post and not get a headache. Rack Q for finally posting something readable.

DF?

after all of these years....you don't get it??? yet????

c'mon.

mvscal

BROWNS will Not finish 2-14.

they have suffered WAY too many O-Line Injury Scenarios since 1999 to let this phase them.

Sure, the Center allegedley makes all of the Line Calls....i understand that.

the BROWNS haven't had a 'cohesive' Offensive Line since their return...so they'll figure it out AGAIN.

and don't be laying SMACK on Charlie Frye...not yet anyway.

the Kid is pretty good....(if he's still upright!)

6-10 BROWNS

DallasFanatic · Post by **DallasFanatic** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:54 pm

Qbert wrote:
DallasFanatic wrote:I don't know if I stumbled upon the magical glasses of the football forum but I can actually read through a Q post and not get a headache. Rack Q for finally posting something readable.
DF?

after all of these years....you don't get it??? yet????

c'mon.

mvscal

BROWNS will Not finish 2-14.

they have suffered WAY too many O-Line Injury Scenarios since 1999 to let this phase them.

Sure, the Center allegedley makes all of the Line Calls....i understand that.

the BROWNS haven't had a 'cohesive' Offensive Line since their return...so they'll figure it out AGAIN.

and don't be laying SMACK on Charlie Frye...not yet anyway.

the Kid is pretty good....(if he's still upright!)

6-10 BROWNS

Seriously Q, did you start going to AA meetings recently? I swear, about your last ten posts have been perfectly readable.

Qbert · Post by **Qbert** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 3:29 am

whatever do you mean DF????

AA????

hardly....i'm in training for my 40th B-day party KegFest over Labor Day. (i actually took the Summer OFF!!!!)

BROWNS looked OK vs. the Lions tonight.

4 BROWNS turnovers kept it close.

the "O" actually had a TD drive; and, the 1st String "D" played pretty Solid as well.

depth wise...the BROWNS Suck.....for sure.

BROWNSFan would give the game a "B."

LIONFan would give the game a "C or C-"....they came out very Flat as a 1st unit on both sides of the ball.

its preseason.

Degenerate · Post by **Degenerate** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 4:02 pm

mvscal wrote:
Qbert wrote:6-10 or 5-11...maybe.

You're dreaming. You have no quarterback. You have no skill position players and your offensive line is melting before your eyes.

Oh yes...you're in a tough division.

2-14

All of those applied last year and they didn't go 2-14.