QuoteUndrafted center becomes anchor of line
By Michele Tafoya
ABC Sports, for Insider
Enough of Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb already. It is, indeed, a highly entertaining subplot. But McNabb has other relationships with other teammates.
None may be more valuable than his working relationship with center Hank Fraley.
For the past four seasons, the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Fraley has snapped the ball to McNabb. The two have dinner every Wednesday night while locked in the quarterbacks' meeting room, watching extra film of their upcoming opponent.
At first glance, the two have very little in common.
McNabb went to Syracuse. Fraley was a non-scholarship player for Division 1-AA Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
McNabb was the second overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. Fraley went undrafted, signed as a rookie free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000, was released and claimed off waivers by the Eagles.
McNabb is on the Board of Trustees at Syracuse. Fraley planned on being a high school teacher and coach had his NFL career not panned out.
Despite their different backgrounds, the center and quarterback have developed a relationship based on respect and a common goal.
The goal, of course, is to win a Super Bowl. But the similarities don't end there. They have a mutual respect based on a common work ethic.
Fraley's entire career has been a product of extraordinarily hard work. After college recruiters overlooked him, he paid his own way to attend and play for Robert Morris. While there, he got some notice. Playing tackle, Fraley was a three-time All-America selection helping the Colonials to three straight Northeast Conference Championships.
Undrafted in 2000, Fraley tried to make the Steelers' roster. Pittsburgh signed him, but let him go during training camp. The Eagles took a chance and claimed him off waivers. Fraley made the 53-man roster, but he was inactive for all 16 games his rookie season.
At the end of the 2001 preseason, Fraley stepped in for injured center Bubba Miller. He started 15 games that season. Since then, Fraley hasn't missed a start. And in 2002, the Eagles signed him to a lucrative five-year extension.
"It was exciting," said Fraley of his early days in the league. "I've always been an underdog. But I was always taught to take the underdog's approach; I just tried not to be overwhelmed. I was always told not to be intimidated."
But there he was, on a team featuring the likes of McNabb, safety Brian Dawkins, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and offensive tackle Tra Thomas.
"I sometimes still look at [my career] and it amazes me," he said. "My dad, too. He's so proud. But it's not overwhelming anymore."
Now, Fraley is the anchor of Philadelphia's offensive line. And his main responsibility is helping protect a player he holds in high regard.
"I believe Donovan McNabb is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. He's a great leader," Fraley said. "He lets his play do his talking. He'll let people take their own opinion away. He has one focus: to win and be a great teammate."
No wonder they get along.
who wins the fart contest, Traylor or Fraley?
(http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2005/players/02/01/first_person0207/t1_players.jpg)
the white guy has black shoes and the black guy white shoes
things that make you go hmmmm???
Did you guys knows that Traylor actually started his career as a LB? :o
Hanky Bagga Donuts needs to work on his scary/intimidating faces.
Traylor about to toss a salad and Fraley is taking a Shtein.
Traylor's got a helluva "eddie Munster" goin' on there. :-D
i really dont like fraley.
isnt this article about 4 years too late?
Quote from: Wingspan on September 12, 2005, 04:51:35 PM
isnt this article about 4 years too late?
no, madden talks about him every MNF game.
My man in the middle says it's about time he gets props. And no, he is not fixing to defecate. He is thinking about how much defensive lineman look like donuts.
Robert Morris University motto, "Knowledge is Good".
It is obvious why Stevie Left College - How can you not like #63.
I don't even want to know what that picture is really for.
Quote from: sallad selgae on September 12, 2005, 05:00:05 PM
My man in the middle says it's about time he gets props. And no, he is not fixing to defecate. He is thinking about how much defensive lineman look like donuts.
Robert Morris University motto, "Knowledge is Good".
It is obvious why Stevie Left College - How can you not like #63.
youre an idiot.
How about try "you're and idiot".
Knowledge is Good.
Quote from: sallad selgae on September 12, 2005, 05:49:03 PM
How about try "you're and idiot".
Knowledge is Good.
If you're going to correct someone's grammar...
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 12, 2005, 05:39:55 PM
Quote from: StevieLeftCollege on September 12, 2005, 04:49:25 PM
i really dont like fraley.
why?
weak against stunts, cant hold the POA againt NT. hes a big reason we arent good against the 3-4.
i will give him credit at the second level, blocking on screens, and calling the line assignments.
i also watched him pour a shot of jager on the floor one night.
he cheats on his wife.
Quote from: FFatPatt on September 12, 2005, 06:05:37 PM
Quote from: sallad selgae on September 12, 2005, 05:49:03 PM
How about try "you're and idiot".
Knowledge is Good.
If you're going to correct someone's grammar...
for real. i forget the " ' " and he goes and butchers his own work.
btw, correcting grammar has been beat to death.
Quote from: StevieLeftCollege on September 12, 2005, 06:16:07 PM
i also watched him pour a shot of jager on the floor one night.
he cheats on his wife.
That's inexcusable.
Wasting Jager is a farging crime.
Fraley is divorced.
Quote from: FFatPatt on September 12, 2005, 06:18:10 PM
Quote from: StevieLeftCollege on September 12, 2005, 06:16:07 PM
i also watched him pour a shot of jager on the floor one night.
he cheats on his wife.
That's inexcusable.
Wasting Jager is a farging crime.
i know man. that really put me over the edge. the wife thing was bad too because they just had an article in the paper about him being a family man with his son and wife.
Quote from: StevieLeftCollege on September 12, 2005, 06:20:15 PM
the wife thing was bad too because they just had an article in the paper about him being a family man with his son and wife.
He is divorced.
:sly
So how's his marriage?
Hank Fraley is Phreak's brother.
Anyone who has met Phreak can attest.
Fraley should lose his job after his performance last night.
Hicks looked worse than Fraley...but that's not saying much.
Fraley should lose his job after his performance last night
fraley shouldnt have a job to begin with
has anyone as subpar ever started in the league for as long as him
if he wasnt an undrafted free agent he woulda been gone long ago...cause reid loves his UFA's
Quote from: ice grillin you on September 13, 2005, 10:06:50 AM
has anyone as subpar ever started in the league for as long as him
Thrash, Trotter, Kyle Boller, Ramsey, ...
Fraley is not a strong blocker at the point of attack. His strengths are calling the right protection schemes, pass protecting, and 2nd level blocking.
this is hanks 5th year as a starter...longer them all those boys...cept trotter whos better
Quote from: ice grillin you on September 13, 2005, 12:34:55 PM
this is hanks 5th year as a starter...longer them all those boys...cept trotter whos better
huh?
Hank apologizes -
- Too many donuts before game
- Misses his wife
- Upset that Stevie doesn't like him
Knowledge is Good
Donuts is Bad
Quote from: MURP on September 13, 2005, 12:37:37 PM
Quote from: ice grillin you on September 13, 2005, 12:34:55 PM
this is hanks 5th year as a starter...longer them all those boys...cept trotter whos better
huh?
he babbles to much.
Quote from: sallad selgae on September 13, 2005, 12:55:15 PM
Hank apologizes -
- Too many donuts before game
- Misses his wife
- Upset that Stevie doesn't like him
Knowledge is Good
Donuts is Bad
[/qu :-Dote]
Quote from: StevieLeftCollege on September 13, 2005, 07:17:41 PM
Quote from: sallad selgae on September 13, 2005, 12:55:15 PM
Hank apologizes -
- Too many donuts before game
- Misses his wife
- Upset that Stevie doesn't like him
Knowledge is Good
Donuts is Bad
[/qu :-Dote]
best quote ever
Quote from: Wingspan on September 13, 2005, 07:19:52 PM
Quote from: StevieLeftCollege on September 13, 2005, 07:17:41 PM
Quote from: sallad selgae on September 13, 2005, 12:55:15 PM
Hank apologizes -
- Too many donuts before game
- Misses his wife
- Upset that Stevie doesn't like him
Knowledge is Good
Donuts is Bad
[/qu :-Dote]
best quote ever
i hate quoting on this board!
:-D
How do so many of you retards have problems with quoting? Two farging tags, numbnuts. [ quote] and [/ quote]
[quot
Quotee author=QuoteGeneral_Failure
link=topic=16372.msg314114#msg314114 date=1126654342]
How do so many of y
ou r
Quoteetards have p
roblems with quoting? Two
Quotefarging tags, numbnuts. [ quote] an
d [/ quote]
Quote
What?
Best use of features since the drooling smiley!
If the IQ level here matches that of the Eagles, I'm not worried at all :-D
Quote from: TRUCK RATHMAN on September 13, 2005, 11:06:52 PM
If the IQ level here matches that of the Eagles, I'm not worried at all :-D
To that, sir, I only have one thing to say.
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Quote from: QB Eagles on September 13, 2005, 11:10:45 PM
Quote from: TRUCK RATHMAN on September 13, 2005, 11:06:52 PM
If the IQ level here matches that of the Eagles, I'm not worried at all :-D
To that, sir, I only have one thing to say.
[li]QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuote:drool [/li]
| [li]QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote [/li]
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say what? that you know how to work a slot machine? ok, my bad, ive been proven wrong
We have a new post of the year. And it's not from 9erfan.
Quote from: General_Failure on September 13, 2005, 07:32:22 PM
How do so many of you retards have problems with quoting? Two farging tags, numbnuts. [ quote] and [/ quote]
then teach me how to multi quote...
Fraley got 1 point in this year's version of "Earn Your Wings". He couldn't answer any of the things he listed in his media guide bio.... :-D
Knowledge is good
Tests is bad
Donuts taste good but still is bad
I played against that tubby bastich in college.