May 22, 2013

Offensive Line gives Cleveland reason for optimism in 2012

May 1, 2012 by 47 Comments

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...]

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Making sense of the Browns’ offensive line decisions

March 16, 2012 by 21 Comments

Earlier this week I wrote about how the Browns needed to address the offensive line in free agency. This is not exactly what I had in mind.

If you aren’t familiar with twitter’s format, those would be consecutive tweets that the Browns (PR department) sent out to their followers. The point of putting the tweets here isn’t to blast the PR department. They are doing what they are supposed to do I guess. [Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns Film Room: Week 6 Field Goal Protection

October 27, 2011 by 16 Comments

Each week this season, we’ll take a seat in our very own WFNY Browns film room and break down a little tape from the previous week.  Do enjoy.

I spent some time going over all 4 of the Browns’ field goal attempts from last Sunday. You probably don’t need reminded that 2 of these kicks were successful, and 2 were blocked. Both of the unsuccessful kicks were blocked by Red Bryant, a 6’4″ 323 pound DE for Seattle. Before we look at the pictures, let me say a couple of things. Red Bryant is bigger than 6’4″ 323. And for a guy that size, he has some impressive agility.

[Read more...]

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Browns Continue to Struggle to Solidify Right O-Line

September 9, 2010 by 4 Comments

Welcome back Billy Yates.  Last night the Browns waived one of their many linebackers, Titus Brown, and we had to wait until this morning to find out the corresponding roster move.  The Browns brought back offensive guard Billy Yates just a couple days after he was let go on the same day as David Veikune.  That eventually led to the news that Browns rookie offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao (you know the guy who played impressively against Ndamukong Suh?) twisted his ankle and wouldn’t be practicing Thursday.  Lauvao was a sight for sore eyes this pre-season after Floyd Womack missed so much time due to recovery from an off-season knee procedure.  Womack was a sight for sore eyes a season ago because of John St. Clair.  Injuries happen in the NFL, but you just wonder if the Browns will ever feel comfortable with the right side of the offensive line. [Read more...]

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Browns’ Lauvao Bests Lions’ Suh: Mangini Asks League For Discipline

August 30, 2010 by 8 Comments

I went back and watched with great interest the match-up between Browns rookie right guard Shawn Lauvao and Detroit rookie Ndamukong Suh. Suh was the second pick in the draft, but widely considered to be the top player available. Lauvao was making his second preseason start, and looked pretty decent in his first effort against the Rams, but wasn’t tested the way Suh would certainly do. What I saw made me smile. Lauvao certainly held his own against the Nebraska uber-pick.

Before you go crazy remembering the face-twisting body slam Suh laid on Jake Delhomme, make sure you check the tape. Suh lined up across from Lauvao, and despite a wicked inside spin move Shawn kept his feet in the proper position and walled Suh. He then had to engage a stunting LB from the opposite side of the line, passing Suh to the inside. Originally I thought Mack should have picked up Suh, but Mack was also engaged. With the stunt the Lions had brought more rushers on the right side than the Browns had blockers. Lauvao, having stopped Suh’s forward momentum reacts and picks up the hard charging stunt keeping him from Delhomme. The line holds for at least 3 seconds, at which time Hillis disengages and becomes the outlet receiver. Jake is forced to step forward in the pocket because of an outside rusher who gets by Joe Thomas as he stumbles. Delhomme steps up right into Suh. [Read more...]

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Cleveland Browns Depth Chart News: The Turnstile Still a Starter

August 10, 2010 by 10 Comments

It’s not too late. Before pushing the big Orange and Brown panic button, fans should remember of course that this is merely the first preseason game. A lot can still happen. But as of right now, John “The Turnstile” St. Clair is still your starting right tackle.

Last year I sat down to watch the season opener and became instantly concerned with the man the Browns had chosen to replace Kevin Shaffer-

I am concerned about St. Clair. It doesn’t appear to me that we have solved the right tackle problem at all. I hope that I am wrong, but it seems like our new tackle is a lot like the old one (Shaffer) in that he will struggle against the speed rush from the edge.

The rest of the season did little to change that point of view. St. Clair earned the dubious nickname of “The Turnstile” from me, which in case you are wondering is not good for an offensive lineman. In our “Holmgren reports” during the winter I implored the Browns to make a move at the RT spot- [Read more...]

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NFL Draft: Browns Offensive Line

April 22, 2010 by 3 Comments

Offensive line is another of the strange positions for the Browns.  Joe Thomas rules.  Eric Steinbach mostly rules.  Alex Mack ruled a lot more toward the end of the Browns season than he did throwing wild shotgun snaps early on. I guess Womack is pretty solid depth on the right side.  The offensive line looked horrible when Jamal Lewis was running behind them.  After Jerome Harrison exploded the last few weeks of the season they looked a lot better.  Neither quarterback really did much to make them look spectacular.  I think the consensus amongst Browns fans is that the Browns could use a prospect at right tackle and additional depth anywhere and everywhere.

Tony Pashos, signed this off-season, should fit in nicely somewhere on the right side of the line, preferably at right tackle.  You would think that with this addition and other needs all over the field that the Browns wouldn’t draft any offensive linemen, but I don’t know.  The Browns have enough picks that I wouldn’t be too surprised if they ended up finding some value on the offensive line after their first two picks. [Read more...]

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Holmgren Report: The Offensive Line

January 19, 2010 by 23 Comments

Browns Roster Upgrade ElevatedNow that The Big Show Mike Holmgren has shored up his front office roster, it’s time for him–and for us–to look at the team’s roster. We’ve borrowed from the Department of Homeland Security and will be looking at each position group day by day, finishing with a roster upgrade ranking based on need. Check back each day this week for a new position group.  Previous Reports: RB

One of the first things that Mike Holmgren said his group would need to do was evaluate the roster, the coaching staff, the hot dog vendors- in short everything. Then they would make decisions. We here at WFNY agree. Take the time to evaluate what you have. (Josh Cribbs will still be there in a month.) Then start making decisions to turn this franchise around. We would like to offer our assistance. That’s the premise behind the Holmgren Report. Today, the offensive line. [Read more...]

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Focus On The Line

September 17, 2009 by 14 Comments

I thought I’d do a weekly piece breaking down the play of the Browns’ offensive or defensive line. I had a chance to review Sunday’s game last night, and thought I would share some thoughts about the offensive line today.

joe-thomas-camp

The line as a group played decently, particularly when you consider their opponents. The Vikings have been effective putting pressure on the QB with just their front four because of the quality of their line. When they choose to blitz, they are generally effective, again because of the studs that are up front.

I know that it has been said already this week, but Joe Thomas was outstanding this week. Jared Allen is an outstanding defensive end, and he was completely neutralized by Thomas. Allen recorded one tackle, but was nowhere near the play when Thomas was responsible for him. In fact, several times when the Vikings got pressure on Quinn Jared Allen was the only defender not even close to the QB. I would go so far as to say Thomas played better Sunday than he did all last season. [Read more...]

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The Company Line

July 30, 2008 by 9 Comments

The Orange and Brown Report asked if I would do a piece for them about the line play during training camp. I jumped at the chance. Anything for some access…

Quick- what was the strength of the Browns last year?

If you said offensive line, Phil Savage agrees with you. Now, what was the biggest weakness? If you said defensive line you get a second jewel in your Browns crown.

Savage attacked that problem area in the off-season, which has been well documented. Heading up to practice Monday night, I expected to see a good battle. I was disappointed however. It wasn’t much of a ‘battle’. It was more like a one-sided thumping, and you won’t believe who was on the receiving end of said thumping. [Read more...]

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Browns Looking to Bolster O-Line?

May 27, 2008 by 3 Comments

Camp SavageIt sure is a tough time to be a General Manager in Cleveland, eh?  Danny Ferry is on the hot seat for his supporting cast.  Mark Shapiro could pass as a statue after standing still for the last six months.  And Phil Savage is in dire need of a warm body to plug in at defensive back – preferably one that can walk. 

Terry Pluto mentioned the possibility of former Buckeye Ashton Youboty getting some attention from the Browns.  He also mentioned that Ty Law is “too old and too expensive.”  Thus, the search continues.

However, this hasn’t stopped Savage from looking at other positions.

[Read more...]

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