JC Tretter can stabilize the center position if he stays healthy
By Joel W. Cade
After watching Tretter’s 2016 tape vs. the Jacksonville Jaquars and the Atlanta Falcons, there is one burning question: Why are the Green Bay Packers letting him leave? His tape was that good. Tretter is an extremely athletic and smart football player and will be a great addition to the offensive line room.
Tretter plays well in the run game, especially on zone plays as he is able to overtake a one technique or opposing defender with relative ease. Watching him zone block will remind Browns fans of watching Alex Mack zone block. Tretter makes it look so easy.
Cleveland Browns
He can get to the second level and cut off linebackers and is so quick (when uncovered) to the second level that linebackers often do not see him waiting to block them. He is extremely quick off the snap, which gives him an advantage versus the defender. He double teams well and plays intelligently.
Which brings up the most important part of Tretter’s game.
Tretter is an extremely intelligent player. He knows the angles to take in anticipation of where linebackers and defensive linemen will eventually be given the design of the play. Only by knowing your offense and the tendencies of opposing defenses does one acquire this ability.
The Packers play a “spread” style offense that uses primarily zone run schemes. It will be interesting to see how Tretter fits into the Browns power run scheme.
In pass protection Tretter seeks work, which is an important and often overlooked aspect of offensive line play. When the defense does not bring someone into his area, he immediately helps one of his guards. He could simply “take the play off” and no one would say anything, but he goes the extra mile to engage the defender. He also holds the top of the pocket well.
Like in the run game, Tretter plays intelligently and understands angles and defensive schemes. The Browns lacked a center who understood these concepts last season. He knows when to pass off defensive linemen and pick up on-coming rushers. More importantly, Tretter knows where the rushers are coming from when a defensive lineman leaves. His intelligence as a player cannot be underestimated.
So why would the Packers let him leave? The answer is injuries. Tretter has a difficult time staying on the field.