Once upon a time — OK, two years ago — a May injury to a starter on the offensive line would’ve doomed the Browns’ season months before it began.
Times have changed.
The broken hip of right guard Ryan Tucker during the first week of organized team activities was unfortunate — “You’re always concerned when you lose a starter,” coach Romeo Crennel said — but it created only a fraction of the anxiety as when cornerback Daven Holly was lost to a season-ending knee injury the following week.
The reason is simple: The Browns finally have depth on the offensive line.
When Tucker, who is expected to return in August, walked slowly off the field after breaking the hip, Rex Hadnot stepped right in. Hadnot, signed to a two-year deal as a free agent, started 16 games at right guard for the Miami Dolphins last season and started every game the last three seasons.
“I just get a kick out of playing,” he said during OTAs last month. “Of course, I signed with the intention of coming in and playing.
“But these guys had a great year last year upfront and my whole thing was just come in, work hard and put myself in a position where I’m happy with the way I’m playing and after that see where my cards fall.”
Hadnot, 26, is listed at 6-foot-2, 325 pounds. He’s 4 inches shorter than Tucker and looks more fire hydrant than ladder.
“He’s a physical kind of player,” Crennel said. “Because he doesn’t know the system yet, there are some things he needs to work on.
“But he’s one of those physical kind of run-player guys. It looks like he’ll compete.”
Hadnot said he’s getting plenty of help learning the system.
“There are some differences, but the coaches do a great job in meetings of having a classroom setting where it allows guys to really get a chance to understand the system and any variations or nuances that are in this offense,” he said. “They do a great job explaining them and putting me in a position where I can go out and just play.”
The depth doesn’t stop with Hadnot.
The Browns re-signed Seth McKinney, who started eight games at right guard in 2007 before a season-ending shoulder injury. That’s when Tucker moved from right tackle to right guard and continued the Browns’ best offensive line season since their return in 1999. Jamal Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards and Derek Anderson was sacked just 14 times.
McKinney has 42 starts in six seasons and can play center or either guard spot. Hadnot has the same versatility, as does LeCharles Bentley — the wild card. Bentley has missed the last two seasons after tearing a patellar tendon and suffering a devastating staph infection.
Crennel says Bentley’s expected at minicamp next week, but it isn’t clear what, if anything, he’ll be able to do, or if he’ll be able to play this season.
The only other question concerning the line is: Who will be the third tackle in Tucker’s absence? Tucker can play right tackle, and starting right tackle Kevin Shaffer has significant experience at left tackle, where Joe Thomas starts.
General manager Phil Savage said the Browns will explore options to add another tackle, but for now Isaac Sowells is being asked to fill the role of swing tackle — the backup on the left and right sides. A fourth-round draft pick in 2006, he’s played just one game in two seasons.
Most of his time was spent at guard, after playing tackle at Indiana University. He more than welcomed the switch back to tackle when the Browns approached him with the idea before OTAs.
“He’s had his ups and downs,” Crennel said. “He has a big body, has decent ability and if he can continue to progress, he’ll be able to help us.”
“I was totally comfortable with it, going back to tackle,” Sowells said. “I’m pretty excited.”
Excitement is exactly the feeling of Browns fans as the season approaches. Talent and depth on the line are two of the reasons.
“This was probably one of the better lines, if not the best line, in the NFL last year,” Hadnot said. “I just want to try to add to it.”
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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