BEREA - Ryan Tucker says he will take his four game
suspension and will not appeal it.
“I didn’t intend to compromise the integrity of the team or
the NFL,” Tucker said. “I apologize to the team, my family and everyone
involved.”
Tucker indicated he took the banned substance last season
when he was trying to return from an undisclosed mental disorder.
“The bottom line I took a banned substance and now I have
to deal with it,” he said. “In my attempt to come back last year, I took a
substance. I was down and out last year. I just want to get on with it.”
Romeo Crennel said the Browns will be without Tucker for
the first four regular season games and then they have a week to decide to add
him to the roster.
“We will not have him, nor will he be around the team,”
Crennel said. “He needs to keep in shape and stay up on football and then we’ll
evaluate where he is.
“Ryan has not been a problem for us,” he said. “He had a
medical problem last year he had to deal with and we’ve supported him.”
Crennel said Tucker has made good progress and it will be a
blow to the line, as he was holding down the starting right tackle slot.
“It’s disappointing because we were depending on him.”
Tucker said he intends to put this behind him and return
for his 11th NFL season.
“Things happen in life and it makes you appreciate all the
more what you have,” Tucker said.
The suspension allows for Tucker to take part in training
camp and even play in the preseason, but he must stay away from the Browns
facility the first four weeks of the regular season.
For now, said Kevin Shaffer will take more reps at right
tackle and either Shaffer or Kelly Butler will carry the load there. Meanwhile,
the door is now open for Joe Thomas to take over at left tackle.
However, Crennel said Thomas doesn’t necessarily win the
position by default.
“Joe is making good progress,” Crennel said. “Don’t assume
he is going to be the starter. If Kelly Butler does a better job at right
tackle, we’ll leave Shaffer at left tackle.”
Notebook
Injury Update: The injury list is starting to get longer:
WR Tim Carter (hamstring), OL Isaac Sowells (concussion), RB Jason Wright
(concussion), DB DeMario Minter (ankle) and WR Mike Mason (leg). DB Gary Baxter
was to practice in the afternoon.
Troops Give Browns a Flag: Seargent Zurga from the Army
presented a flag to Romeo Crennel that was flown over Iraq by U.S Troops.
Crennel present Zurga an autographed Browns jersey with the No. 9 on it.