[Muniman]

Tucker on course to reclaim Browns' spot
document.title = "Tucker on course to reclaim Browns' spot";UPDATE: 12:27 PM, Thursday, October 4, 2007
BY Steve Doerschuk
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

BEREA Ryan Tucker hit the ground running, but it appears he’ll spend Sunday sitting.

Indications are the veteran Browns lineman will regain a roster spot in the wake of a four-game, steroid-related suspension.

However, a Browns offensive line that hasn’t been allowing sacks figures to send out the same starters as in the first four games Sunday at New England.

Crennel seems enthused about Tucker’s level of execution and conditioning, which bodes well for line depth. There had been doubts because Tucker was banned from the team complex for a month.

“He moves pretty well,’’ Crennel said today. “It was encouraging to see where he was.’’

Tucker has spent most of this decade as a starting right tackle, for the Rams and, since 2002, the Browns. However, the Browns have been using a $36 million free agent there in Kevin Shaffer.

Shaffer started at left tackle last year but was bumped to the right side by rookie No. 3 overall draft pick Joe Thomas.

Is it safe to say Shaffer has fared better on the ight side than he did on the left?

“It’s safe to say he’s done a good job for us on the right side,’’ Crennel said.

Tucker was the No. 1 right tackle in the preseason before his suspension was announced. He was allowed to stay with the team until the preseason finale, and he used the time to get some work at right guard.

Seth McKinney has started all four games at right guard. Crennel said Tucker’s Wednesday practice was restricted to playing tackle.

At this point, it appears Tucker will be the No. 3 tackle, with McKinney staying on as a starting guard. Tucker’s return puts backup tackles Kelly Butler and Nat Dorsey on the bubble.

Meanwhile, the Browns’ locker room was relaxed today, a calm before the storm against one of the league’s best-looking teams in recent memory.

Soothing music flowed out of defensive end Orpheus Roye’s locker stall. Players smiled and chatted in an easy manner as a mix of Lionel Richie, Peaches and Herb and The Temptations wafted softly out of Roye’s boom box.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden smiled when he walked in the room and glanced down to Roye’s stall. Then he talked about a serious matchup, against Patriots wideout Randy Moss.

Bodden covered Moss last year when the latter was a Raider, and was limited to one catch in a game at Oakland. “Everybody tells me it’ll be different,’’ Bodden said.

Moss has caught 31 passes for 505 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bodden seems unintimidated. “I look for to the challenge,’’ he said.

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