Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Alex Mack (55), Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas (73) and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz (72) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
I’m always the first guy to volunteer … for the easiest assignment.
So when our DawgPound Daily editors asked the minions to pick a position group to preview, I immediately hit “reply” taking the team’s strongest suit – the offensive line. Might as well wear the rosiest color glasses during this summer lull when every NFL fan harbors Super Bowl dreams. Or dreams of a .500 season for us Clevelanders.
Despite losing center Alex Mack to an injury five games into the season, Pro Football Focus still ranked the Browns offensive line as the league’s sixth-best in 2014 – a remarkable rank given the team’s poor scoring output. (For those keeping score at home, the site ranked the line as the second best in pass blocking and No. 7 in run blocking.)
Related: Browns Offensive Line Key to Success in 2015
With this line, the offense would be unstoppable with even marginally positive skilled players.
Assuming no pre-season injuries, six roster spots appear locked for 2015: Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack, John Greco, Mitchell Schwartz and Cameron Erving. Unless he’s a real bust, let’s give Michael Bowie the seventh spot, with the eighth a dogfight amongst the flotsam and jetsam, with my prediction being that Ryan Seymour will grab it, unless someone jumps out during pre-season.
Here’s my July 4th preview of the group that’ll take the MetLife field on Sept. 13 vs. the New York Jets.
Next: The Starters
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
May 26, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Cameron Erving (74) and defensive lineman Randy Starks (94) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Erving – Maybe it’s just me, but I jumped for joy when the Browns drafted Erving with their second pick in the first round of the 2015 draft. Versatile, smart, solid and the perfect insurance policy to back up Thomas and Mack. Best case: Erving sits the whole year. Worst Case: He gets injured and starts 2016 as a rookie all over again.
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Michael Bowie – The great unknown. He’ll either be too good to keep off the field … or a big, fat bust that’s not worth another year on the taxi squad. My bet’s on the latter. Best case: Bowie plays to his press clippings and starts over Greco or Schwartz, making our good line as good as it gets in the NFL. Worst case: He’s forced into the lineup and he makes us long for Roger Chanoine.
8th (and 9th?) Lineman – Can’t see the team suiting up more than seven on most game days, and the long-snapper role may come into play as well, so my money’s on Seymour or a camp pick up. Best case: This guy never sees the field. Worst case: He plays regularly in more than a real emergency – like JT and Mack both going down in the same game.
If they stay healthy, the 2015 Browns’ should once again field a Top 10 NFL Offensive Line – now if they can just get some guys to produce behind them.
Who do you think will make the final cut along the offensive line for the Browns?