As the starting left tackle for an Atlanta offense that led the NFL in rushing in 2004-05, Kevin Shaffer was part of a unit that produced long marches the likes of which the south hadn't since Sherman's armies.

Now the starting right tackle for Cleveland, the Conestoga Valley graduate has found that butting helmets with rival Baltimore on NFL Sundays is only slightly less intense than say, battling Manheim Central beneath Friday night lights.

"Oh yeah, crazy game," Shaffer said with a laugh following a bizarre 33-30 overtime win Sunday amid steel-gray surroundings at M&T Bank Stadium. "We thought it was over (at the end of regulation). Everybody was huddled on the sideline and I was trying to figure out what's the deal?"

The deal was that officials reversed the ruling that Browns placekicker Phil Dawson's 51-yard attempt with no time remaining in regulation was short, and Dawson then drilled the game-winner in OT, a 33-yarder 5:50 into the extra period.

"I probably had one of the worst games of my life," said Shaffer, a six-year NFL veteran now in his second season with the Browns and his first at right tackle. "But we won, so it's all forgotten."

For a guy who prior to this season spent 55 of his previous 56 NFL games at left tackle, switching positions has been a challenge. Especially when you find yourself hand-fighting Baltimore end Trevor Pryce, a four-time Pro Bowler who owned a team-best 13 sacks last season.

Still, for someone who majored in finance at the University of Tulsa as Shaffer did, Pryce-control would seem to be a topic he's familiar with.

"My protection wasn't real good on certain plays," Shaffer said, then shrugged. "It was just one of those games.

"The first couple of weeks (following the position switch) were tough, but now I feel good about where I'm at. It's all about muscle memory because everything's reversed. I'm still working at it, still learning. It's been a pretty good transition so far."

Shaffer knows all about making successful transitions. After earning L-L League honors as a two-way lineman his senior season at CV, he went to Tulsa, where his impact on the football program was almost immediate. He had a string of 26 consecutive starts until a leg infection forced him to miss a 2001 game against New Mexico State. He capped his collegiate career by being named honorable mention All-WAC.

Selected by Atlanta in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Shaffer played on special teams his rookie season before starting at left tackle for eight games in 2003 following an injury to starter Bob Whitfield. In 2004, Shaffer was part of a line that helped Warrick Dunn rush for 1,106 yards that season and the Falcons run for an NFL playoff record 327 yards in a win over St. Louis.

After starting a combined 31 games for the Falcons in 2004-05, Shaffer was signed by the Browns as an unrestricted free agent in March 2006. The versatility that allowed him to switch teams last year and positions this season also helped him deal with the variety of fronts used Sunday by Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

'They move around so much it's tough to know exactly who you're going against," said Shaffer, who on successive plays faced seven different defenders — Pryce, tackle Haloti Ngata, outside linebacker Antwan Barnes, end Dwan Edwards, nose tackle Kelly Gregg, 'backer Jarrett Johnson and LB/DE Terrell Suggs.

"Being in the NFL for a few years you get some experience and a true vet can go out there and know exactly what's going to happen by looking at the coverage. But Baltimore is one of those teams you just never know what they're going to do."

Still, Cleveland's confidence in the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Shaffer's run-blocking ability is as plain as the Browns' decal-free helmets. The Browns often sent former Raven Jamal Lewis pounding off the right side behind Shaffer and guard Ryan Tucker. For one play in the second quarter, Shaffer switched to right guard, Joe Thomas moved to right tackle and Lewis followed their blocks for a one-yard TD run.

"It's great playing next to Kevin because he's a cool-headed guy," said Thomas, a rookie. "He knows what to do out there; he's good with the line calls. It's invaluable to play with a veteran like him."

For longtime Browns' watchers, seeing a No. 77 fronting their ground game stirs memories of another veteran tackle who excelled while wearing that number, Dick Schafrath. A starter from 1960-71, the six-time All-Pro helped the Browns win an NFL championship in 1964 and six division titles from '64-71. He also paved a path to Canton, Ohio for Hall of Fame running backs Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly.

With playmakers like Lewis, QB Derek Anderson, tight end Kellen Winslow and wideouts Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius, the Browns have put together a potent offense that's looking to restore some of the glory of their team's past.

Out in front of the resurgence, as he has been since his days at CV, is Shaffer, a guy who knows a thing or two about Buck-ing the odds.

E-mail: egruver@lnpnews.com