The Cleveland Browns need to become Terrelle Pryor’s team
By Joel W. Cade
The problem for this line comes when they are asked to play as a unit. The Browns offensive line looks like five individuals trying to pass block – which is not good. The offensive line need men of five acting in one accord if they are to be successful. In addition, there must be a leader of the offensive line who galvanizes the group and sets the tone.
The Browns offensive line lacks that leader.
Do not get me wrong. Joe Thomas is a great individual player. He is not a great leader. After the game on Sunday he decided to express his feelings when asked about the protection issues.
When asked about the possibility of demanding an influx of talent, Thomas referred to the loss of Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz as “the best at their position.” He then, correctly, looked to management as the decision makers as to who will be retained and who will not.
As to the loss of Mack and Schwartz, last year’s offensive line gave up the most hits on the quarterback of any team in the NFL. So, it is not like the offensive line was providing stellar protection when they were in Cleveland. Pass protection was a mess last year, it is still a mess this year.
Austin Pasztor struggled early in pass protection but has come on strong lately. Cam Erving continues to struggle at center. However, unless he played center this year, the front office would never had known what they had in him.