Things are getting really strange in Browns camp. The Browns placed Bob Hallen on the exempt-left team list tonight after he left camp. The reasons are not very clear. Romeo Crennel cited Hallen’s back injury and personal problems as the reasons he left camp, saying the two were related.
This is a big blow to the Browns’ season, as they were relying on Hallen to take over the starting center position after the injury to LeCharles Bentley.
Crennel and Phil Savage moved quickly to deal with the situation, sending a conditional 2007 draft pick to New England to acquire Ross Tucker.
Tucker (6-foot-4, 310) played in one game for the Patriots last year. He started 12 of 16 games at guard and center for Buffalo in 2004 after starting 12 and playing in five in 2003.
He’s started 24 games and played 42 since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Princeton in 2001. He played with Washington in 2001 and the start of 2002. After being waived by the Redskins, he went on to start the final seven games of 2002 at left guard for the Cowboys.
On paper Tucker looks like someone who should be able to help. At this point the Browns at least need to get a professional center who won’t hurt them. Hopefully Tucker can fit the bill.
