Cleveland Browns: Offensive line improves, still needs work
By Joel W. Cade
The Cleveland Browns offensive line showed improvement in the Week 1 loss to the Eagles. However, there is plenty of room to improve.
The Cleveland Browns lost their season opener for the 12th consecutive time. The game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday was ugly, as the Browns offense was flat-out painful to watch. The inconsistent play by the offensive line contributed to the debacle.
Three things that went right for the offensive line
1. The Browns offensive line effectively neutralized Fletcher Cox.
Limiting Fletcher Cox was a key to the Browns’ success heading into Sunday’s game. The Browns attacked Cox from every direction. They chop blocked him, double teamed him and trapped him. He had four solo tackles on the game along with one sack. Limiting Cox’s production was a key and the Browns successfully limited the amount of damage he caused in the front seven.
2. Handled the “Wide 9” look well
The Browns were able to handle the “Wide 9” look of the Eagles effectively. The Eagles lined up their ends in the wide look primarily on obvious passing situations. Joe Thomas handled the rush effectively all day. He did allow one sack on the day. When it became clear Austin Pasztor was struggling, the Browns effectively schemed him extra help from tight ends and running backs.
One of the keys to defeating the “Wide 9” was to beat the rush through power run schemes, screens and draws. The Browns gained significant yardage on well executed screens and draw plays.
3. Power run schemes were well executed
When the Browns ran power run schemes, the offensive line blocked it effectively. Allowing the “Wide 9” defender to rush up field enabled the Browns to tap the defensive end. The Browns effectively gained yards with power plays to the edge. On one play the Browns gained 17 yards on a power off-tackle play that was simply a thing of beauty.
Three things that went wrong for the offensive line
1. Communication is an issue
The Browns as a whole struggled with communication. Keeping all five linemen on the same page is key for success. The Browns failed to communicate effectively from quarterback to offensive line and offensive line to each other.
Isaiah Crowell suffered a big hit at one point when Robert Griffin III flipped the play but Cam Erving either did not get the communication or did not recognize the call. The play went left, Erving went right, and Isaiah Crowell went down four yards behind the line of scrimmage.
There were other miscommunications. On a screen play to Duke Johnson, the Eagles overload blitzed the left side leaving Joe Thomas to do only what Joe Thomas can do, block two players at once. Guy is amazing.
2. Austin Pasztor continues to struggle in pass protection
At some point, Hal Hunter will have to do a cost-benefit analysis to decide if the run blocking abilities of Austin Pasztor are worth the liability he brings in pass blocking. He struggled mightily in pass protection. As the game wore on, more and more people were kept in to help protect the passer. At one point the Browns kept two tight ends and a running back in to help on Pasztor’s side. When does the pass protection liability outweigh the benefit to the run game? When it is too much, expect to see Spencer Drango.
3. Struggled against other DTs
Even though the Browns were able to limit Fletcher Cox, they allowed the other defensive tackles to have good games. On several occasions the other defensive tackle in the game made Fletcher Cox-type plays. The game plan against Cox works well if the other defensive tackle can be blocked without help. That did not happen on Sunday.
Related Story: The offense was awful in Week 1
Moving forward the Browns can improve upon their run blocking success. The Eagles stacked the box most of the game against run formations. Yet the Browns were still able to run the ball when needed. They had great success with plays designed to beat the “Wide 9”.
Even though the pass protection looked worse than it was, the Browns offensive line needs work. Improving communication is the first key. When all the linemen are on the same page, then an evaluation of scheme effectiveness can occur.
Next: Too early to regret passing on Wentz
The Eagles front seven is very good. The Browns did a decent job of holding them at bay. The challenge will continue next week against Baltimore who always has a strong front seven.