Hallen leaves Savage fuming
Browns say center never said he was hurt
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
Browns General Manager Phil Savage admitted Friday that he's upset with center Bob Hallen for leaving the team so abruptly and said Hallen never showed signs of being injured - even on the day he left.
"I have to admit, I'm upset that he walked out on us two days before the first [preseason] game without any warning, especially in light of us losing LeCharles Bentley," said Savage. "It was totally unexpected. It really put us in a vise."
Hallen, a Mentor native and Kent State alum, notified the Browns of his retirement Friday in a letter, citing a medical situation and the best interests of his family. Signed as a free agent in March, he's agreed to pay back his $200,000 signing bonus.
Savage said Hallen, 31, never underwent a medical exam by Browns doctors after Monday morning's practice, as was reported by the team. "We basically said he's being looked at [for back spasms], but he left the building and our people never saw him again."
Savage said the Browns were trying to help Hallen save face - and leave the door open for his return - by saying he had the exam and previous back issues.
"He passed every medical check we had and never spent any time in our medical room," said Savage. "He never even had an ice pack on his back."
Another source questioned whether Hallen went to Los Angeles for a second opinion, which his agent, Cliff Brady, said he did. Brady, who could not be reached Friday, told The Plain Dealer that Hallen had two damaged disks and stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column.
After skipping the Monday night practice, Hallen called coach Romeo Crennel on Tuesday and told him his back hurt. Crennel asked Hallen to call trainer Marty Lauzon, which he did. But Hallen never called back to set up an exam.
Later that night, Hallen met in Cleveland with assistant head coach / offensive line coach Jeff Davidson. By Wednesday morning, he called Davidson and Crennel and told them he was retiring.
"When would he have had time to go out west for a second opinion?" said the source.
The source said the Browns think Hallen didn't feel up to the pressure of replacing two-time Pro Bowler Bentley - and in front of his hometown crowd. There are also indications he was pondering retirement as early as May.
Hallen's biography shows no games missed because of back trouble. In November 2001, he had a cortisone shot in his back, but played. One Internet site said Hallen also left Kent for a while after being named the starter there. Hallen did leave Kent, but it was for his entire freshman season. He returned, using the first year as a redshirt season, and played four years.
Savage said he made calls to 12 teams with a surplus at center. A source said the Browns would be willing to part with running backs William Green or Lee Suggs. "But teams know we're in dire straits," Savage said. "They're also one injury away from where we are."
One of their top choices is the Eagles' Hank Fraley, who started half of last season before having rotator cuff surgery. He's now slightly behind Jamaal Jackson in the battle for the starting job.
The Eagles - who need a running back - haven't returned the Browns' calls. They might be reluctant because the Browns stole Bentley away from them in free agency. The Eagles also wanted to trade for Jeff Faine, who was dealt to New Orleans in a draft-day move that let the Browns move up to draft linebacker D'Qwell Jackson of Maryland in the second round.
Savage said he would not have traded Faine if he hadn't signed Hallen, his insurance policy. "But I don't regret it and given the same information, I'd do it again," he said.
The Browns also thought they had a deal this week with Miami for backup center Seth McKinney, but he suffered a back injury Tuesday and underwent season-ending surgery on Thursday.
"At this point, a trade will be tough," said Savage. "If something happens, it will be in the next two to three weeks."
The Browns' best hope right now is Ross Tucker, whom they acquired in a trade this week with New England for a conditional 2007 pick. Savage said Tucker, who's started 24 NFL games, is on a fast track to get ready for the opener. He'll either start Friday against Detroit, or see significant action.
Alonzo Ephraim, signed as a free agent July 29, is not expected to be the answer.
Savage said Hallen's announcement even stunned the normally unflappable Crennel. "It's the first time in 1½ years that he had a certain look on his face," said Savage. "We've gone from having the best center situation in the NFL to one of the worst."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670
