Browns‘ Tucker out 4 games for steroids, By: Tom Withers

August 4, 2007

BEREA, Ohio - Desperate to resume his career, a "down and out" Ryan Tucker risked his football future by taking steroids. He‘ll pay for it — and so will the Browns.

Tucker admitted taking a banned substance, saying he did so while being treated for a mental disorder that limited him to nine games last season.

"I‘m going to fulfill this punishment and get it behind me."

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said he would support Tucker, but characterized the suspension as disappointing.

Crennel also said releasing Tucker at the end of his suspension is an option.

The 32-year-old Tucker, one of Cleveland‘s team leaders on the field and in the locker room, refused to divulge any details about what substance he took.

Tucker will be out during a brutal stretch of games for the Browns, who went 4-12 last season and have had only one winning season since 1999.

The Browns are just 1-11 against AFC North teams under Crennel, whose future could hinge on Cleveland getting off to a good start.

He talked about "getting the respect and trust back of my teammates" earlier this week, but he wouldn‘t elaborate.

The Browns upgraded their line in the offseason, signing free agents Eric Steinbach and Seth McKinney, re-signing center Hank Fraley and using the No. 3 overall pick to take Thomas, considered one of the most polished tackles to come into the league in years.

Tucker was placed on the reserve-non-football-illness list for the final eight games last season. At the time, the Browns said Tucker‘s disorder was one "commonly experienced by the general population as well as by professional athletes."

Tucker has given no details about his illness. He said he is healthy.

"Everybody is faced with countless obstacles," he said. "The other day somebody asked me if all this stuff is behind me — I just had to laugh. There‘s nothing funny about it, believe me. My family is suffering more than anybody because it‘s going to be public and people will make their own assumptions."

The suspension is the latest distraction for the Browns, who have had to overcome countless injuries, bad drafts and rotten luck since their expansion return eight years ago.

Earlier this week, defensive tackle Orpheus Roye, the club‘s best lineman, underwent knee surgery and could miss the season opener. Also, rookie quarterback Brady Quinn has yet to sign and report to camp.