Suddenly the Browns are relying on L.J. Shelton to protect Trent Dilfer’s blind side from the critical left tackle position. I doubt many Browns fans have seen much of Shelton in action. Arizona is not exactly our alternate viewing area. Perhaps MAC fans remember him blocking for Charlie Batch at Eastern Michigan (just one zip code away from Ace’s place). More likely we remember his father and namesake, a certain Lonnie Jewel Shelton, the power forward who ended his fine NBA career in Cleveland.

Expecting a detailed scouting report? A personal anecdote? An astute analysis comparing his game with Ross Verba’s? Sorry. But I do have this short list of Browns players who also went by their initials:

• A.D. Williams (1960) We traded DE Willie Davis to Green Bay to get this WR. Davis blossomed into a Hall of Famer for Vince Lombardi. Williams caught one pass for five yards as a Brown.
• J.K. McKay (1975 draft pick) Son of coaching great John McKay never played a down for the Browns.
• D.D. Hoggard (1985-87)
• P.J. Killian (1994 practice squad)
• O.J. (Otis Jason) Santiago (2000-01)
• R.J. Bowers (2002-03)
• C.J. Jones (2003-present).

It’s hardly an illustrious roll call, so the big man has an excellent shot to become the Premiere Initialed Player in Browns History. Even if it’s only a one-year deal.