Now that the 2006 season gets smaller and smaller in the Cleveland Browns rearview mirror, we here at www.DawgBones.com want to start looking ahead. In a weekly feature we are calling Browns Spotlight, we are going to take a look at the Browns current positional situations and whether or not they need to be upgraded or left alone. We will also explore whether or not we feel that the team would be best suited to fill their needs via the NFL Draft or free agency. We hope you all enjoy and look forward to hearing all your comments and concerns in The Bone Yard forums.

This off-season we have looked at many key positions on offense, none of them went through more trials and tribulations in 2006 then the center position. When all was said in done the Browns may have set an NFL record for most players attempting to fill 1 position in a single season. Seriously though, the Browns had many questions with the center position, questions that still remain today.

The Browns went into the 2006 free agency period with a goal, to get a Pro Bowl offensive linemen, center, who could match up with the premiere DT's in the AFC North. Many Browns fans hoped and prayed that the Browns would get who most projected as the #1 free agent on the market, LeCharles Bentley. All the way up to the 11th hour it appeared, at least it was rumored, that Bentley would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Before the bell could toll and the hands hit the mid-night hour, a whirlwind of activity took place in Berea, Ohio and LeCharles Bentley was a Cleveland Brown. Bentley came to his introductory press conference with a smile from ear to ear and a Browns jersey below his suit. Being an Ohio native, this was Bentley's life long dream. To come home and play for the Browns, to be a part of making them a perennial winner.

Browns fans were ecstatic. Talking about how Bentley would improve their line immediately and turning an offensive line, which struggled against their division foes, into a legitimate and respected unit. Questions like, will the Browns move Jeff Faine to guard and have Bentley play center or will Bentley play guard and Faine center were being batted around. Those questions were quickly answered at the 2006 NFL Draft. The Browns sent Jeff Faine to the New Orleans Saints in a deal that saw the 2 teams flip-flop 2nd round picks. The Browns got ILB D'Qwell Jackson with the pick and the Saints got Faine and picked safety Roman Harper in the draft. A good deal at the time, but one they may have wished they didn't make in the long run.

Bentley went to camp in July like the rest of his team mates. Anxious to knock the rust off and get learning a new offensive system. On the very first play of practice his dreams and career were forever changed. On a simple running play Bentley went to plant his foot in the ground, like he had 10's of thousands of times in his career, this time a bomb went off in his leg. Without being touched Bentley went to the ground with what would be diagnosed later as a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. After successful surgery, Bentley's battle was just starting. Shortly after the surgery Bentley got a staph infection. An infection that was catastrophic to the 1st surgery. In fact the infection destroyed most of the repair that was done in the 1st surgery. Bentley had another surgery and this time spent nearly a month in the Cleveland Clinic recovering. It now appears a 3rd surgery will be needed and Bentley's career with the Cleveland Browns may be over before it ever even began. He could be back in 2008, but we would not hold our breath Browns fans.

Even with Bentley going down the Browns felt they would be o.k. Not great, but o.k. They had signed veteran Bob Hallen to backup Bentley for just such an emergency. They could have never seen that Hallen would quit just days after getting promoted to starting center. Some say Bentley's injury was the catalyst for a very disappointing season in 2006, we think Hallen quitting was an even bigger blow.

The team scurried and acquired Ross Tucker from the New England Patriots for a conditional draft pick. Tucker played in a couple of pre-season games and was released. The team signed free agent Alonzo Ephraim and he showed signs that he could be the guy. That was until he was suspended for the first 4 games of the 2006 season for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. The Browns tried rookie free agent Rob Smith to no avail and also acquired veteran C/G Lennie Friedman from the Bears. Friedman ended up being a good pickup as he was used quite a bit at guard, but as far as playing center he was smaller then Jeff Faine.

Just before the final pre-season game of the year the Browns acquired center Hank Fraley form the Philadelphia Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick in 2008. A savvy move by the Browns considering the immediate need they had. Fraley's late arrival really set him and the entire offensive line back. They never seemed to be on the same page the entire year and consistency was lacking. Fraley had 1 year left on his deal when he was acquired and is now a free agent, a free agent the Browns are desperate to re-sign in lieu of what has transpired with Bentley.

More then likely Fraley will not have many suitors. While with the Eagles he had been demoted to 3rd string center and backup guard. He probably would have been released had the Browns not made a trade for him, but it was not a luxury the Browns could afford to wait on. Without a doubt Fraley will be better in year two and that means the line will be much better. With Bentley's future in doubt, the Browns must retain Fraley.

As it stands right now the only centers under contract, if you want to call them that, are Friedman and Smith. Both are admittedly better guards then centers.

Will the Browns be looking at a center in the draft in 2007 then? With both eyes wide open. If USC's Ryan Kalil is available in round 2 when the Browns pick he will be wearing Browns and Orange. Kalil is the best center in the draft this year and could step in day 1 and play. Although not the biggest guy, standing just under 6'3" and weighing 299 lbs., Kalil is a superb technician. He's not going to make anyone think he is Olin Kreutz or LeCharles Bentley in their prime, but he is every bit as good as Faine with the potential to be much better. Kalil is not alone though as the 2007 draft is quite deep at the center position.

Some other prospects the Browns may look at, if they don't grab Kalil in round 2, would be Ohio States Doug Datish, Samson Setele from Hawaii and Leroy Harris from North Carolina State. All would more then likely be 2nd day picks. The player that really sparks our interest and could be a draft day steal is Fresno State center, Kyle Young. Young is simply huge. At 6'5" and 330 lbs. he easily the biggest center in the bunch this year. He also has the strength to go with that size. He has a reputation of being physical and aggressive, a perfect fit for a power running football team. Some scouts have him rated as a 1st round talent, some of him as a 2nd day pick. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the Browns may get a steal if Young is available later in the draft.

As for the center market in free agency this year, well it is pretty much non-existent. The Jets did let go of veteran Trey Teague earlier in the week and the Browns would be foolish not to talk with him. As we have seen in 2006, a team can never have enough centers. The Giants are negotiating with former Browns center Shaun O'Hara and will more then likely retain his services. The Cowboys signed their All-Pro center Andre Gurode to a new 6-year deal as well. Teague would be our pick and with over 80 starts at center he has the experience the Browns would need at center.

So what should the team do? Well we would be taking a center in the draft for sure. Kalil would be our pick, but is round 2 too early? Nope. He is the highest rated center in the draft and if there wasn't such a bias towards centers he would be taken in the 1st round. It would be another draft in which the Browns got 1st round talent in round 2.

We also think the team needs to look very hard at re-signing Fraley, but not break the bank to do so. Regardless of whether the Browns draft a center or Bentley comes back healthy, Fraley won't be needed long-term. The Browns should also bring Trey Teague in today! He is a free agent and can sign with any team right now. His ankle is a concern, but if healthy he can add great depth and experience that is sorely missing.

Next week we will look at a the defensive side of the football and will begin with a look at the defensive end position.

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