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Cleveland Browns: Position grades from loss to Eagles

By Jonathan Goehring

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) shakes hands with Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) shakes hands with Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10), tackle Joe Thomas (73) and teammates huddles up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10), tackle Joe Thomas (73) and teammates huddles up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line: D

Cleveland’s offense had a rough preseason on offense mostly due to the sub-par play of their offensive line. As the regular season opened Sunday, little changed to reverse this trend.

For once, penalties were not an overwhelming epidemic. The Browns, who have struggled in the past with pre-snap penalties on the offensive line, avoided the silly five-yard losses for the most part on Sunday afternoon. But the battle in the trenches did not favor Cleveland, as none of the linemen blocked effectively.

Joe Thomas and Austin Pasztor had reasonably solid performances as outside runs were the most successful plays on the ground that Cleveland dialed up. But Joel Bitonio and John Greco struggled mightily in run blocking, and the offensive line had a very difficult time slowing down Philadelphia’s pass rush anchored by Fletcher Cox and the exotic looks presented by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Obviously, the most memorable play from Sunday’s game involved center Cameron Erving. Erving, who airmailed a shotgun snap well over the head of Griffin and through the back of the end zone for a safety, single-handedly altered the course of the game. This came after the Browns sustained a scoring drive the possession before and had just gotten a stop. The score was 13-10, and the Browns were well within the game with all of the momentum.

While it seems silly to pin the entire game on one play, and it seems unfair to criticize Erving so heavily based on one play, it was a play which had a significant impact on the outcome of the game. Fair or not, the offensive line is blamed for this shortcoming.

Next: Running Backs

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