| Melvin Fowler is an underappreciated and miscast player early in his career. Fowler plays well in a short area when he can put his hands on a defensive tackle. Will battle and finish off blocks, but does not play overly well in space. Not overly quick or strong, Fowler is a fundamentally sound center, but lacks the agility to get to the second line of defense consistently. How Acquired: 2002 NFL Draft, Third Round, 76th Overall Links:
Pro Experience
Cleveland Browns (2002-Present)
2003: Started season at left guard, but lost his job as the team moved
Paul Zukauskas into the starting lineup and moved Shaun O'Hara to LG... Wound up
starting seven games at center due to injuries to Jeff Faine... Played several
games on special teams, and was inactive for two games... Started at center
against Bengals, when Browns amassed over 250 rushing yards.
2002: Made one start, against Tampa Bay, filling in for an injured Dave
Wohlabaugh... Inactive for 12 games, did not play in three others.
College Experience
Maryland (1997-2001)
Appeared in 44 games for Maryland over four years, starting all of them...
All-American and All-ACC first team his senior year... Never allowed a sack in
college career... Was lynchpin of offensive line for Maryland offense that
averaged 439.7 yards per game in 2001... Named All-ACC his junior year... Named
second-team All-ACC as sophomore... Named Freshman All-American in 1998... Won
starting job after practicing at center less than two weeks... Was red-shirted
in 1997.
Contract Status: Signed three-year contract in 2002. Contract runs
through 2004 season. |
