Cleveland Browns: Zeitler solidifies right guard position
By Joel W. Cade
The Cleveland Browns addressed the massive black hole on their offensive line by signing right guard Kevin Zeitler. Will it be enough to protect the team’s future quarterback?
The Cleveland Browns made a splash in free agency by signing guard Kevin Zeitler away from the divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals. Adding Zeitler to the mix creates a top-tier interior offensive line that will do much of the heavy lifting in head coach Hue Jackson’s offense.
On Thursday, ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Browns planned to sign Zeitler as a free agent from the Bengals. The deal will make Zeitler the highest paid guard in the NFL. Per Spotrac, the deal is for five years $60 million, with $31.5 million in guaranteed money.
Former Bengals G Kevin Zeitler expects to sign with Cleveland, per sources. Big day for Browns O line. Highest paid guard in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Zeitler was a hot item at the beginning of free agency. Per Jay Glazer, NFL Insider for Fox Sports, Zeiter was a player that every team he spoke with showed interest, and for good reason. Pro Football Focus had Zeitler has their highest-ranked guard in free agency. Signing him is a major coup for an organization that had struggled early in free agency.
The one name nearly EVERY TEAM I spoke to showed interest in isn't flashy one but Cincy OG Kevin Zeitler. He's very hot name.
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 8, 2017
Although the Browns had the highest offer, it was more than money that attracted Zeitler to Cleveland. Per Andrew Gribble, senior writer for clevelandbrowns.com, Zeitler was attracted to working with Jackson again after spending time together with the Bengals. He knows Jackson’s offense and believes if anyone can turn the Browns into a winner it is Jackson.
Zeitler on @Browns_Daily : "Cleveland showed they wanted me the most." Not all financials. Hue Jackson had big impact.
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) March 10, 2017
Zeitler on Hue Jackson: "If anyone's going to do it, I think he's going to be the one to do it."
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) March 10, 2017
Per Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com, Zeitler stated his reasons for signing with the Browns. When asked if he needed convincing to come to Cleveland, Zeitler responded:
"No convincing was needed Sorry [to not beat] around the bush, but Hue (Jackson) is here. It might sound ridiculous, but because Hue is here, I believe."
Signing Zeitler is major win for the Browns front office. Zeitler was the most sought after offensive lineman on the free agent market and adding him addresses a major area of need for the Browns.
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Related: A healthy JC Tretter can stabilize the center position
The interior offensive line was a total disaster last season. Left guard was held down by Joel Bitonio until he injured his foot. Right guard was stable but merely average with John Greco, an aging veteran. At center, Cameron Erving proved why he was a highly regarded as a tackle heading into the 2015 NFL Draft.
To replace injured players, the Browns experimented with converted college tackle Spencer Drango at both left and right guards. Alvin Bailey has his opportunity to lock down the right guard position but proved he was not up to the task. Depth was a major concern heading into the 2017 offseason and the Browns have now addressed it.
They also played musical chairs at center while Erving was injured. They tried Greco, Austin Reiter and Anthony Fabiano at the position. None of these experiments panned out. The closest to looking like a good fit was Reiter, but he suffered a season-ending injury during the only game he started.
In terms of depth, Greco can now be a swing man on the line backing up both center and guard. The Browns could also go with a combination of Fabiano, Reiter and Drango to provide interior depth if they want to get younger at these positions. Either way, the Browns will have far greater depth at offensive line than years past.
Signing Zeitler adds a younger and more athletic lineman to the interior. Although he has never gone to a Pro Bowl, he was considered the best right guard on the market. He protects the passer and run blocks a high level.
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Adding Zeitler will stabilize right guard for years to come. His signing, along with the addition of JC Tretter, solidifies the offensive interior in terms of pass protection.
This signing brings the Browns closer to the days when quarterbacks running for their lives are a thing of the past.