Rams kick the tires on another former Eagle, OL Hank Fraley

by Ryan Van Bibber on Mar 11, 2010 9:55 AM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams offseason

The St. Louis Rams will visit with free agent C Hank Fraley to possibly add depth along their offensive line.

It should come as no surprise that Fraley is a former Eagle, playing there from 2001-2005, the same time Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur were coaching with that organization. Fraley has been with the Browns since 2006.

The Rams have added solid starters to the o-line, but depth in the middle, especially at center, is a critical need. C/G Mark Setterstrom was not tendered a RFA offer.

I can't speak to what kind of player Fraley is, though he seems like he'd be useful for depth, especially since he's an experienced center. We'll see what happens. I know there are plenty of people disappointed by the Rams free agent season haul, but finding quality depth this time of year is a smart way, if not very sexy, way to approach it.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: I had the chance to interview Rams DE Chris Long yesterday. We talked a little bit about Spagnuolo and Flajole's philosophy of the defense line, the situation with Leonard Little and James Hall and more. I'm transcribing the interview today, and plan to post it tomorrow. Stay tuned.

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Looking forward for the Chris Long post

Thanks VanRam

by PCarn on Mar 11, 2010 10:12 AM CST reply actions

Long interview

Noiii-ce.

by 81 Witness on Mar 11, 2010 10:23 AM CST reply actions

Another Eagle?

I didn’t mind that we were looking at former Eagles and Giants before, and there’s nothing wrong with Fraley. He could provide some nice depth.

However, it worries me that we are only looking at players within our comfort zone. I’m sure Spags and Devany know a lot about their former players – and filling depth holes with that talent makes sense – but it gets me wondering if we’re not a bit myopic.

Our scouting teams and talent evaluators need to get out to the west coast and other places to check out some players, too. This was my previous beef when we didn’t draft DeSean Jackson. It’s as if everyone else in the football world knew how good he was (especially out west), but we didn’t perform our due diligence.

I’m not critizicing this move, I’m just raising a caution flag…

by Oski Bear on Mar 11, 2010 10:25 AM CST reply actions

Also looking forward to the Long conversation!

by Oski Bear on Mar 11, 2010 10:25 AM CST reply actions

Hank Fraley is a solid center

Excellent move by Rams.Who cares if the dude a ex-Eagle.Last 10 years most successful franchise in the NFL.Keep stocking Rams.

by Thomas W on Mar 11, 2010 10:46 AM CST reply actions

I wish SBN would give some stats for O-linemen

If you go to his profile page, it lists sacks, tackles and INT’s.
He’s a Guard, chances are he’ll never have a sack, tackle or INT. Well, maybe tackles on fumble returns but that’s negligible. The sacks are the defensive kind, not the “given up” kind.

by CoachConnors on Mar 11, 2010 11:13 AM CST reply actions

Try ProFootballFocus

I can’t vouch for their stats, but they do have them. Here‘s Fraley’s page.

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Mar 11, 2010 12:41 PM CST up reply actions