None of the first-round draft choices made by the Browns from 1999-2003 is with the team. Tim Couch is out of football, Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren play for the Broncos, Green is looking for a job and Jeff Faine is the starting center for the Saints.

Lee Suggs, a fourth-round pick in 2004, was cut a week ago today. At one point Green and Suggs were supposed to be the strength of the backfield. Jason Wright was kept instead.

''At a certain point, we grew weary of waiting and waiting,'' general manager Phil Savage said. ''There would be a flash here and a flash there. That's not to take anything away from the talent that Lee Suggs and William Green have.

''As you backed away from the situation and looked at it, Jason Wright was going at it every day. He was doing all he could to make this team. Particularly, when Jerome Harrison began to emerge, it seemed like Jason Wright continued to fight harder. He's a guy who is going to be here every single day and show up for work. Basically, our decision was dependability over pure ability.''

Wright had 16 carries for 66 yards in the preseason.

A vote for Fraley

Savage said he would like to see Hank Fraley start at center against the Saints. Coach Romeo Crennel said he might not decide until tomorrow whether to start Fraley or Lennie Friedman. Quarterback Charlie Frye has been taking snaps from both players during practice. The three stayed after practice to perfect their exchanges.

''I don't know how it is going to play out in terms of who is going to start, but I think ideally, we would like to see Fraley start and see Lennie be the swing center-guard,'' Savage said. ''He probably has more mileage as a swing backup than a full-fledged starter.''

JSchudel@news-herald.com