11/4/2011 11:00:00 PMFriends in Cleveland make way to OSU, St. Louis, now Carolina
By David Scott - dscott@charlotteobserver.com
When Jermale Hines and Bryant Browning say they're teammates, they really mean it.
That's because, with the exception of one season, they've been on the same team since 2005 - in high school in Cleveland, college at Ohio State and now as rookies with the Carolina Panthers.
"It's very interesting and exciting at the same time," says Browning, an offensive lineman on the Panthers' practice squad.
In 2005, Hines transferred to Cleveland's Glenville High for his junior season. Already on the roster was Browning, a highly recruited senior who was one of the top offensive linemen prospects in Ohio.
Hines quickly made his mark on coach Ted Ginn Sr.'s team (Ginn's son Ted Ginn Jr. also went on to an All-American career at Ohio State and now plays for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers).
"He played right away at linebacker, and that told everybody something," said Browning. "Because at my high school, you just don't get a lot of playing time unless you can really play."
Browning went off to play for the Buckeyes in 2006, redshirting his freshman season. In 2007, Hines arrived from Glenville. Awaiting was Browning, his friend from high school.
Browning had purchased a used 1995 Ford Taurus - nicknamed the "Ford T - that he drove around Columbus. During their years at Ohio State, Browning often picked up Hines and took him wherever he needed to go - to football practice, class, study hall or to get something to eat.
"That 'Ford T,' it got me everywhere," said Hines. "But (Browning) really was there to act as a big brother to me, to show me the right way to do things."
Browning and Hines played together from 2007-10 at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes to at least a share of four Big Ten titles and appearances in four Bowl Championship Series games.
During that time, Browning played in 52 games, starting 40. Hines started 29 of the 44 games he played in.
Browning and Hines no doubt thought their days together were finished after their Ohio State careers ended.
Hines was taken in the fifth round of last spring's NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. When Browning was signed by St. Louis as an undrafted free agent in August, the two went to Rams training camp together.
But they were both waived. Browning was cut in August, when he was picked up by the Panthers; Hines was also waived in the preseason, but was then picked up by the Indianapolis Colts.
Then, one day in October, Browning's cell phone rang. It was Hines.
"Are you still with the Panthers?" Hines asked.
"I'm still with the Panthers," Browning replied.
"Yeah, I'm on my way," said Hines, who had just been waived by the Colts.
Browning is sticking with Carolina on the practice squad. Hines has played in four games, mostly on special teams. He got in the Atlanta game two weeks ago, coming up with a solo tackle after Sherrod Martin and Jordan Pugh went out with injuries.
And Browning is again showing Hines around town. But this time it's Charlotte instead of Columbus. And this time it's in a new SUV, not the Ford T. <<Full Story