Cleveland Browns 2015 position preview – Offensive Line

Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns guard John Greco (77) and running back Chris Ogbonnaya (25) and center Alex Mack (55) at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Thomas (left tackle) – While the national media probably overrates him (PFF had him as the league’s 20th best player, and 2nd best offensive lineman), 2014 wasn’t JT’s best season as he drew some untimely procedure and holding penalties, and he rarely dominated opponents. But he’s hands down the Browns’ best player post-return (and Phil Savage’s best move), and arguably the team’s all-time best tackle (including Hall of Famers Mick McCormack and Lou Groza). Thomas has already earned unanimous, first-ballot Hall of Fame status for his consistency alone as he has never missed a snap in his NFL career. Best case: Stays healthy and keeps on keeping on. Worst Case: Injury, either an age-induced lingering one that saps his effectiveness or … don’t even think about it.

Joel Bitonio (left guard) – Exhibit “A” in response to anyone who beefs about Ray Farmer’s draft skills as the 2014 second rounder earned NFL All-Rookie and All-Pro honors. Dominating, disciplined, mature, max effort (who can forget his running down of the fumble recovery against Atlanta?). Best Case: He stays healthy and learns a few more tricks of the trade. Worst Case: Sophmore slump.

Related: Joel Bitonio Tabbed as Breakout Player

Alex Mack (center) – Exhibit “A”in response to all the Eric Mangini-haters, as trading down in the first round of the 2009 draft netted this five-time Pro Bowler who, like Thomas, didn’t miss a snap until last season’s Week 6 win against the Steelers. While BrownsNation feared the worst when Mack was carted off, reality turned out much worse as the Browns’ offense literally tanked from that point forward. Isaiah Crowell and especially Terrance West ran tentatively, Brian Hoyer became an interception machine and “genius offensive coordinator” Kyle Shanahan became the “too smart by half,” PowerPoint presenter that bailed on the team as the players were still cleaning out their lockers at the end of the season. Mack’s a premier second-level blocker, super intelligent, Renaissance Man (with a weightlifting cameo in Draft Day) who, hopefully, will bounce back and finish his career a winner in Cleveland. Best case: Full recovery from the broken leg and he returns to consistency, if not Pro Bowl form. Worst case: Re-injury, cutting short his Browns if not NFL career.

John Greco (right guard) – Most teams salivate for a player who’s only missed five starts over the past three seasons, so why is Greco under-appreciated? He is a solid, consistent performer who doesn’t make the big play, but doesn’t make the big mistak,e either. When Mack went down, Greco moved over to center and, in hindsight, maybe should have stayed there last year as the Seymour/Nick McDonald tag team failed. Greco’s another “local” (Boardman High and Univ. of Toledo) who grew up a Browns fan (that always earns extra credit) and who, if he sticks around a few more seasons, may someday get added to the team’s Ring of Honor.  Best case: Erving or Bowie are SOOO good that Greco moves to the bench as a swingman. Worst case: He gets hurt and we see just how much worse we could do than penciling in Greco week after week.

Mitchell Schwartz (right tackle) – If Greco is under-appreciated, then poor Mitch gets no love as it seems that his every mistake becomes front page news. Admittedly, when Schwartz whiffs he really whiffs, so he can’t hide, but this fellow M.O.T. has started every game at right tackle since being Tom Heckert’s best pick in the 2012 draft. The Pro Football Reference site has Schwartz rated much higher than Browns’ fan perception, so again – we could do a whole lot worse than Mitchell Schwartz. We also tend to forget the United Nations of really bad right tackles since 1999: Roger Chanoine, Tony Pashos, Joaquin Gonzalez. Best case: See Greco above – a healthy Schwartz can’t keep Erving and/or Bowie on the bench. Worst case: Injury and the replacement proves just how consistently acceptable Schwartz has played.

Next: The Reserves