Cleveland Browns OL...let's discuss (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

They didn't lose much on their OL and seemed to resign a couple of guys that could have gone elsewhere. To me that is always a sign of players wanting to stay with the current team because they want to be part of a winner.

The Browns success and especially their offense seems in large part due to an improved OL which allows for the QB to be able to stand int he pocket and deliver the ball to weapons like Edwards and Winslow, now add Stallworth into the mix. Couple that with the fact that when they do run defenses are likely anticipating the pass more often than a run so they are able to knock guys backwards, thus creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space.

So I ask the board, how good is the OL in Cleveland? Was it a 1 year wonder or is Cleveland a top5 offense heading into 2008?

 

[Bri]

They didn't lose much on their OL and seemed to resign a couple of guys that could have gone elsewhere. To me that is always a sign of players wanting to stay with the current team because they want to be part of a winner. The Browns success and especially their offense seems in large part due to an improved OL which allows for the QB to be able to stand int he pocket and deliver the ball to weapons like Edwards and Winslow, now add Stallworth into the mix. Couple that with the fact that when they do run defenses are likely anticipating the pass more often than a run so they are able to knock guys backwards, thus creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space. So I ask the board, how good is the OL in Cleveland? Was it a 1 year wonder or is Cleveland a top5 offense heading into 2008?

They ran more than 300 times probably threw 550 times, that's not so uncommon where I'd say Ds are expecting the pass. I think it's fairly balanced(as far as NFL O's go)The Browns OL is better but I don't think it's just there. A genuine threat at QB is fairly new in Cleveland sure so is a solid OL but I think it all comes together with every facet of the offense benefitting. Most notable for me is that Phil Savage is terrific. Not too long ago he pointed out that a tiny percent of the team he inheritted is even in the league anymore. Not just not on the Browns but in the league. There's a dramatic player evaluation improvement there that's real obvious whether it be coaching or scouting or bringing in a FA. Green and Suggs and what the previous Browns front office thought of them vs what the current regime did is a fairly good indicator.They've got a team now and there's all sorts of confidence and trust issues that are now present where they can build a solid foundation for years to come. Whether it's Romeo or a captain getting on a guy for slacking. Whether it's good natured competition in camp. Whether it's helping with assignments in the huddle or relying on the RB to pickup the blitz at the last second. There's so many little things that were way too much of a concern before and now they just do them, like an everyday occurence. He built them a team.

 

[wadegarrett]

Definitely not a 1-year wonder.

What they added this offseason was depth. The left side of the line is All-Pro with Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach. Hank Fraley and Rex Hadnot are both above average at center. Hadnot can also play guard. Seth McKinney started at RG before getting injured last year. Ryan Tucker moved to RG and was a monster there. He can also play at his original RT position where Kevin Shaffer started all last year. That's 7 viable OL competing for 5 spots. And this doesn't even include LeCharles Bentley who expects to come back this year.

I'd put that OL up against any in the league.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I think it's a very good OL. That was actually one of the things that I was right about last season. I predicted a better Cleveland offense because of a vastly improved line. With an entire year under their belt, they should be even better too.

One interesting thing to keep an eye on will be what happens with LeCharles Bentley. If he manages to finally make a come back, that gives them a lot more flexibility and depth since Fraley can play C or G.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Definitely not a 1-year wonder.What they added this offseason was depth. The left side of the line is All-Pro with Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach. Hank Fraley and Rex Hadnot are both above average at center. Hadnot can also play guard. Seth McKinney started at RG before getting injured last year. Ryan Tucker moved to RG and was a monster there. He can also play at his original RT position where Kevin Shaffer started all last year. That's 7 viable OL competing for 5 spots. And this doesn't even include LeCharles Bentley who expects to come back this year.I'd put that OL up against any in the league.

Great summary. IMO, Hadnot was a monster signing. Hadnot was arguably the best OL for the Dolphins and the Browns waited...and waited...and waited...and was able to get Hadnot for pennies on the dollar (2-year deal for a few $$$ million per). Hadnot provides excellent insurance for Fraley, Tucker and Bentley's knee.

 

[Big Score]

creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space.

Haven't heard Jamal Lewis being described as shifty...tippy toes yes...but shifty? But I digress, so back on point...I agree, their O'line looks to be a strength for 08.

Anyone know if there's a chance that LeCharles Bentley makes it back this year?

 

[Weiner Dog]

creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space.

Anyone know if there's a chance that LeCharles Bentley makes it back this year?

I think the Hadnot signing shows the Browns doubts. Hadnot plays the exact same positions as Bentley.In addition, Bentley agreed to restructure his contract this past offseason. This tells me the Browns hold the cards and both player/team know there's issues with the knee.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space.

Haven't heard Jamal Lewis being described as shifty...tippy toes yes...but shifty? But I digress, so back on point...I agree, their O'line looks to be a strength for 08.

Anyone know if there's a chance that LeCharles Bentley makes it back this year?

For a bigger back, he is pretty shifty. He doesn't just fall forward for 3 yards.2,000 yards rushing one season...that wasn't all against the Browns and he did more than just run straight ahead...but I digress.

 

[MAC_32]

Top 5 starting OLine, #1 in regards to depth, which I believe is more important.

 

[notdarkyet]

They have a nice OL. My concern would be with Anderson. He struggled a bit his last few times out when the pressure was on to get into the playoffs. It will also be interesting to see how they handle being the trendy pick for the AFC North. How will they handle being the hunted? How will they handle a tougher schedule? They wont catch anybody by surprise this season.

 

[treat88]

The entire AFC North benefited from an extremely soft schedule in 07.

The Browns played 4 games against teams with a record over .500 and lost 3 of them. The one win was an OT win at home over Seattle.

This season the North has a simply brutal schedule.

I think it's too early to tell how this O-line will hold up against playoff caliber defenses on a regular basis.

There's certainly reason for optimism in Cleveland, however reality could come crashing down very quickly for all the teams in the North.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Definitely not a 1-year wonder.What they added this offseason was depth. The left side of the line is All-Pro with Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach. Hank Fraley and Rex Hadnot are both above average at center. Hadnot can also play guard. Seth McKinney started at RG before getting injured last year. Ryan Tucker moved to RG and was a monster there. He can also play at his original RT position where Kevin Shaffer started all last year. That's 7 viable OL competing for 5 spots. And this doesn't even include LeCharles Bentley who expects to come back this year.I'd put that OL up against any in the league.

 

[Big Score]

creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space.

Haven't heard Jamal Lewis being described as shifty...tippy toes yes...but shifty? But I digress, so back on point...I agree, their O'line looks to be a strength for 08.

Anyone know if there's a chance that LeCharles Bentley makes it back this year?

For a bigger back, he is pretty shifty. He doesn't just fall forward for 3 yards.2,000 yards rushing one season...that wasn't all against the Browns and he did more than just run straight ahead...but I digress.

MOP....that 2,000 yards was a long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away. If you've watched him the last few years, you'd know tippy toes is a far more apt description of his recent running style, than shiftiness.

Also as big as he is, yeah he does tend to fall forward for three yards...a lot. Now when he does manage to break into the secondary, look out, the man is a load & still has some speed.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

creating some room for a shifty Jamal lewis to find space.

Haven't heard Jamal Lewis being described as shifty...tippy toes yes...but shifty? But I digress, so back on point...I agree, their O'line looks to be a strength for 08.

Anyone know if there's a chance that LeCharles Bentley makes it back this year?

For a bigger back, he is pretty shifty. He doesn't just fall forward for 3 yards.2,000 yards rushing one season...that wasn't all against the Browns and he did more than just run straight ahead...but I digress.

MOP....that 2,000 yards was a long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away. (True)If you've watched him the last few years, you'd know tippy toes is a far more apt description of his recent running style, than shiftiness. (True...but he looked shifty at times last season...take into account he is a big back.)

Also as big as he is, yeah he does tend to fall forward for three yards...a lot. Now when he does manage to break into the secondary, look out, the man is a load & still has some speed. (I'd like to quote an Anchorman line here but it might be deemed adult content so I'll refrain)

 

[MAC_32]

The Browns played 4 games against teams with a record over .500 and lost 3 of them. The one win was an OT win at home over Seattle.

While I agree this season's schedule is much harder I think the above fact is a bit skewed. One of the losses was with Charlie Frye starting and another was to the Patriots. The other two games were the aforementioned OT win over Seattle and the other was a nail biting loss @ Pittsburgh. Just wanted to point that out. 10 wins should win the AFC North this season. I think we have to beat Buffalo, Denver, two of the four NFC East opponents (split the home games with the Giants and Cowboys, beat the Skins on the road), two of the four AFC South opponents (Houston at home is a must), and four divisional games (all home wins and take one in Cincy or Baltimore). We're likely to be dogs against all AFC South opponents outside of Houston so it wouldn't surprise me to see us fall to all of them, in which case we'd need to either take both home games against the NFC East or take both road games against Cincy and Baltimore. Yes, I realize I didn't mention Pittsburgh, beat them at home then we'll talk about possibly winning there; until we beat them at home I don't think we have a chance at their place.