If the Browns are to turn things around next season- and that’s a big if- a number of improvements have to be made on the offensive side of the ball and it starts on the line.

The good news, if you are a Browns fan, is that there appears to be reason for optimism.

We have a few known variables- such as Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas. Even if you don’t think Thomas played at a Pro Bowl level last year, he is still in the top five in the league. He has been very durable throughout his career, starting and finishing all 80 games the Browns have played since drafting him. There may even be reason to believe the Browns have some depth in case the unthinkable happens and Thomas goes down.

The Browns decided to cut Eric Steinbach in what really amounted to a cost-efficiency move. They feel Jason Pinkston can do the job there for a lot less money. There was talk that the Browns may decide to bring Steinbach back at a reduced salary. As of now, Steinbach has not signed with any other team. Given what the Browns did in the draft to improve the line, and the improvement they are expecting from Jason Pinkston, I’m fairly certain Steinbach won’t be returning.

The center position will again be manned by Alex Mack, who is an above average center. Yes, he had a Pro Bowl appearance as an injury replacement. The AFC North has a few excellent centers. Mack might not be the best center in our own division, but what difference does that make anyway. He is a plug ‘em in and forget ‘em type of player.

Now we move to the right side of the line. [Read more...]