Now Fraser is trying to defy the odds and make the Browns roster as an undrafted rookie. He is one of 20 players signed after the draft. Coach Romeo Crennel phoned and persuaded Fraser to sign with the Browns because Crennel likes big ends with long arms to occupy the offensive tackle.

''I'll do my best. It's all I can ask for,'' Fraser said. ''This is a team going in a positive direction. (Crennel) shed light on the situation at hand and really put it in perspective for me.''

Fraser had offers to sign with other teams, but chose the Browns, among other reasons, because they are close to his hometown of Upper Arlington.

It is impossible to assess after one practice without pads, with no veterans on the field, how well the 6-6, 288-pounder fits in with the Browns. Crennel will talk about individual players during his press conference today.

''We're going to have to build that wall on the line of scrimmage so the linebackers can make plays,'' Fraser said. ''It's a little different than at Ohio State, but I think once we get the pads on, I think I'll be able to fit in.

''I wasn't the best speed guy off the edge at Ohio State, but I wasn't the worst, either,'' he said. ''I had the heart and instinct to make plays. That's what I did.''

Fraser's best season at Ohio State was as a sophomore in 2002 when he had five of his 10 1/2 career sacks.

On the job

The first practice for Crennel as a head coach is history. He admits it was different than when he had specific duties as a position coach or defensive coordinator.

''It was a lot different,'' he said with a laugh. ''I'm standing around the receivers running routes and the backs coming out of the backfield and I almost got run over one time. I was putting my head on a swivel quite a bit.

''Before I would be off to one side and I knew exactly where my group was and I could control that. I'm going to have to work on my strategic placement on the field.''

Many new head coaches miss the hands-on teaching of being a positional coach or coordinator. Crennel said once the pads go on in July, he'll be able to talk to a player if he sees something.

''That's still coaching,'' he said.

Ouch, that hurts!

Tight end Tony Paciotti, a tryout player from Wisconsin, walked off the practice field with a left leg injury ... Chad Mustard, a tight end who played for the Browns each of the last two seasons, is another invitee. He did not distinguish himself. He dropped several passes that hit him in the hands ... One undrafted rookie that did look good was wide receiver Bradley Chavez from Alabama-Birmingham. He is quick and caught every ball thrown his direction ... Kent State quarterback turned receiver Joshua Cribbs struggled a bit and dropped two passes ... The Browns will practice twice today. Both are closed to the public.

NHBrowns@sbcglobal.net