Hank Fraley Has Given the Cleveland Browns O-Line Stability and a Running Game

You may think this is crazy, but the Cleveland Browns have improved over the last three games due to the insertion of an old face at a new position.

Over this three game span, the Browns have found a way to run the ball very successfully against teams like the Raven, Bengals, and the Bills.

So two out of those three teams have a winning record and the Browns have only won one of them, but a constant in each of those games were that the Browns could effectively run the ball.

Okay, the Browns only ran for 71 yards against the Ravens in week three, but the Ravens do have one of the top run defenses in the NFL year in and out.

Going back to the Browns' first two games, the offensive line was absolutely manhandled at the line of scrimmage, giving up a total of nine sacks and only rushing for 143 total yards.

In the last three games the line has only given up five sacks and the team has rushed for a combined total of 388 yards (with both Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison each running for over 100 yards in separate games) against the Ravens, Bengals, and the Bills.

That is a very big turnaround, and most of it can be attributed to replacing right guard Floyd Womack, who started the first two games, with Hank Fraley (No. 66 in the picture), who has started the last three games.

With the left side of the line locked down with tackle Joe Thomas (who did not give up a sack against Jared Allen of the Vikings, and look what Allen's done lately) and guard Eric Steinbach, the right side was hurting until Fraley stepped in.

Once Fraley was in at right guard, the Browns pass protection and running game began to click.

Maybe one of the best things that Fraley brought to the line was that he lined up next to the guy who took his starting center job away from him in rookie Alex Mack.

Fraley's addition next to Mack can only help improve the young center throughout the rest of the 2009 season. And even though Mack has not dominated at the inside, his improvement week by week is showing in the consistency he has in the middle.

There may be other things that may be attributed to the sudden improvement of the line, besides the addition of Fraley at guard.

But the above numbers do show that he has helped bring stability to the Browns line after a horrible showing against the Broncos in game two (specifically the right side and Elvis Dumervil's four sack performance).

In a season of turmoil and drama, at least part of the Browns' offense has began to show signs of consistency.

Now the entire offense needs to get on the same page.

(Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper)