The Cleveland Browns signed JC Tretter to stabilize the center position. Is he the longterm answer or will his injury history make him a just a quick fix?
One of the main offseason priorities for the Cleveland Browns was to stabilize the center position. After watching Cameron Erving struggle for a season, Browns fans will be delighted when they see free agent acquisition JC Tretter lock the position down.
On Thursday, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Browns would sign Tretter as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers:
JC Tretter will officially be a Cleveland Brown in about five hours. That deal is getting done. Expected to be their new center.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
Per Josh Edward of 247 Sports, Tretter will receive $16.75 million over three years with $10 million in guaranteed money:
#Browns 3-year deal for center JC Tretter worth $16.75 million. Will pay $10 million in guaranteed money.
— Josh Edwards (@EdwardsCBS) March 10, 2017
Tretter is 26 years old and entering his fourth season in the league after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his career has been plagued by injuries, but when he is on the field, his play has been outstanding.
According to Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus had Tretter ranked as the ninth best center last season with an 84.1 grade. Heading into free agency, Pro Football Focus had Tretter ranked as the highest-rated center on the market.
The combination of age and production was too much for the Browns to pass up. Signing Tretter potentially brings stability to a position that saw three different players be ineffective in 2016, and one player effectively play the position before getting injured.
Head coach Hue Jackson welcomed Tretter to the team, according to the Browns’ team website:
"J.C. is a very athletic center who played in Green Bay and did a good job for them. He had a little injury history, but comes here healthy and ready to go. We’re happy to have him."
When on the field, Tretter’s play is deserving of the contract he received from the Browns. Let’s see what the Browns are getting from him.
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.
JC Tretter’s career has been hampered by injuries.
In 2013 Tretter spent his rookie season on injured reserve after breaking his ankle during OTAs. Reportedly, he was participating in a fumble drill when the injury occurred. The injury kept Tretter from playing his entire rookie season.
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The 2014 season was not without injury. About a week before the season opener, Tretter injured his knee and missed half the season before coming back to the lineup.
In 2015 Tretter played in 16 games, making three starts. Heading into 2016 he was regarded as the Packers’ starting center.
But the injuries returned in 2016. He suffered a sprained MCL and missed nine games. In January, he had a procedure done on his knee and should be ready for upcoming OTAs.
When healthy, his play has been outstanding. The problem is, he has not shown the ability to be available.
The multiple injuries should not be a serious concern for Browns fans as the injuries are ones that Tretter can fully recover from. The concern is the history of continued injuries. His injury history means that the Browns must have a longterm plan in place before the 2017 NFL season.
Overall, Tretter should be viewed as a bridge player to a longterm solution. Although his age suggests he could be a longterm answer for the position, his injury history makes entertaining such a possibility out of the question. Even if he were to be healthy all of 2017, the Browns must begin looking for a player to eventually take over the position.
Next: Browns loading up on draft picks
A player on the Browns roster who has the talent and intelligence to become a Tretter type of player is Anthony Fabiano. One could conclude that Tretter is a bridge to Fabiano, especially if the Browns pass on center in the draft.