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Dispatch
8/21/06
8/21/06
BROWNS
Ex-Buckeye Fraser pushing for playing time
Monday, August 21, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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BEREA, Ohio — Former Ohio State defensive end Simon Fraser felt he spent his rookie year with the Browns playing catchup.
The Upper Arlington native began his pro career in 2005 with the uphill battle of making undrafted free agent. From there Fraser worked primarily on special teams while learning to play the 3-4 defense.
This season Fraser has a much bigger goal in mind: He wants to prove to the coaches that he can be an every-down player.
The coaching staff has taken notice.
Fraser saw action in just three games last season, recording one tackle. This year he has already earned occasional reps with the first-team defense during training camp and the preseason.
"I understand the system more and I feel more comfortable in my technique and my responsibilities," Fraser said. "Last year I came in and had no idea what to expect. I learned on the run and tried to make up for time missed because I was down in school while they were in minicamp. Now that I’ve been here for a year, I’m a leg ahead of where I was last year."
Fraser spent his offseason in the weight room and gained 9 pounds of muscle, up to 295, to help him better handle offensive linemen. He’s been more assertive in training camp. Last week Fraser got into a brief skirmish with William Green after nearly horsecollaring the running back in practice.
It’s the type of feistiness that coach Romeo Crennel wants to see out of Fraser to place him in the rotation.
"I think Simon has gotten a little bit bigger and is more physical," Crennel said. "He still has to get the technique down and is working at that."
On the personal side, Fraser was married this summer to the former Mallory Harvey in Columbus.
"It was a dream come true. Everything went perfect that day," he said.
Marriage has changed Fraser’s perspective in terms of responsibilities, commitments and the fact that he no longer makes decisions for just himself.
In his free time Fraser still resides in Columbus and keeps close tabs on the Buckeyes. He contributed to Ohio State’s national title in 2002 and was part of one of the most successful four-year runs in school history.
Although this year’s team has a chance to duplicate Fraser’s 2002 squad, Fraser believes it’s a little early to compare.
"It’s a completely different situation," Fraser said. "In 2002 I think we started off No. 14 in the nation and nobody had us pegged to go anywhere. This year they have a huge bull’s-eye on their back, and everybody is going to be gunning for them. But at the same time they have the talent to do it and the coaches that will have them ready. That’s all you need."
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