Cleveland Browns: 4 thoughts on the state of the offensive line
By Joel W. Cade
4. The Right Tackle Position is a Two Person Battle
The position that most looks like a mess isn’t actually a mess. With the departure of Mitchell Schwartz via free agency, the Browns right tackle position was vacated. To fill that vacancy, the Browns looked to the draft. They also brought in some lesser known free agents.
Mitchell Schwartz was a good fit for what the Browns had been doing. But he is not a good fit for what the Browns will be doing moving forward. The Browns need a more traditional road grater right tackle. But as Hal Hunter is fond of reminding us, that in the NFL both tackles have to be able to pass block effectively.
When addressing the right tackle position, Hal Hunter gushed over Alvin Bailey and Shon Coleman. He merely mentioned that Spencer Drango has a lot of work to do and that Michael Bowie had already moved to left tackle.
It does not take a genius to see the writing on the wall on this one. Spencer Drango is not a serious contender to start at right tackle. He has the body shape and size of an interior offensive lineman. Hunter originally asked Drango to work at right guard. His move to right tackle will end abruptly when Shon Coleman is ready to play. Michael Bowie has already played himself into a backup role for whatever reason. His chances to make the team are diminishing.
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This training camp will see a battle between Coleman and Alvin Bailey for the starting right tackle position. Hunter seemed genuinely surprised and excited when talking about Bailey. Bailey filled in for Russel Okung for the Seattle Seahawks. His work was impressive enough to lead Hunter to believe Bailey would remain a Seahawk. Now that he is a Brown, Bailey has been working to move from left to right tackle. Hunter is pleased with his progress thus far.
Shon Coleman has missed all of OTAs and minicamp due to a torn MCL. Like Joel Bitonio, Coleman reminds Hunter of a former San Diego All-Pro: Marcus McNeill. Hunter will follow the same blueprint for Coleman that he used for McNeil. If Coleman can improve enough, he could win the right tackle job coming out of camp.
The Browns seem to be making progress transitioning to a new offense. This transition is a complete overhaul in style and purpose. Hunter has one offseason to get these men ready. Can he get the Browns offensive line ready in time to compete?