Daily Dawg Tags: Browns offensive line on the rise
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns moved up two spots in Pro Football Focus’ annual rankings of the league’s offensive lines.
The Cleveland Browns have had a solid offensive line for a number of reasons.
The team made two major moves a year ago to strengthen the position even more by signing right guard Kevin Zeitler and center J.C. Tretter in free agency.
Those moves, along with a return to health from left guard Joel Bitonio, helped the Browns move up two spots in Pro Football Focus’ annual rankings of the league’s 32 offensive lines.
The Browns clocked in at No. 14 this year, with a nod to Bitonio and left tackle Joe Thomas:
"The Browns invested heavily in their offensive line prior to the 2017 season; however, their best performers were still their incumbent starters in left tackle Joe Thomas and left guard Joel Bitonio. The veteran Thomas was still going strong in 2017 as he did not allow a single sack on his 331 pass-blocking snaps prior to his season-ending injury. Following his injury, pass protection became a liability on the edges, however, as young tackles Shon Coleman and Spencer Drango both struggled in their second season in the NFL. Nevertheless, the unit had relative success in run-blocking throughout the season as the Cleveland running backs averaged 1.81 yards before contact, the eighth-most in the NFL."
As the site noted, things took a turn for the worse once Thomas was lost for the year with a torn triceps. Quarterback DeShone Kizer quickly learned that life without Thomas protecting your blindside is rough, as Spencer Drango did his best to play left tackle, but only wound up confirming that he is best suited to be a backup guard.
The Browns are still waiting on Thomas to decide if he will return for another season or retire and start the wait to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Quarterback Tyrod Taylor may not want to ponder very hard about that reality.)
As for the rest of the line, Coleman held up OK during his first season at right tackle, but needs to make a big improvement in his second season. Barring an injury, there is no reason to believe the interior of the line will not be solid again in 2018.
Cleveland Browns news:
Browns must work out a new deal with Duke Johnson
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly talking about a new contract with running back Duke Johnson, who has been the team’s best offensive player the past three years.
Browns being linked to predictable free agents
The Cleveland Browns are expected to be players in free agency, and here are four players the team is reportedly interested in.
Should the Browns look at Pacman Jones?
The Cleveland Browns need serious veteran help in the secondary. Would a guy like Adam “Pacman” Jones be a good fit? There’s only one way to find out.
Danny Shelton trade was business, not personal
The Cleveland Browns traded Danny Shelton on Saturday to the New England Patriots, a move that was a business decision and not a reflection on his talent.
"I wrote a letter to save Browns fans from the inevitable in-fighting that will occur over Tyrod Taylor."
NFL news
Teams that might target Ndamukong Suh (ESPN)
"Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry was traded to the Cleveland Browns on Friday. Ndamukong Suh could be the next player to depart Miami. Suh’s release will likely happen Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Here’s a look at teams that might target the former All-Pro tackle for the Lions and Dolphins."
Buffalo Bills trading Cordy Glenn to Cincinnati Bengals (NFL.com)
"The Cincinnati Bengals are adding to their Andy Dalton protection unit. The Buffalo Bills have agreed to trade left tackle Cordy Glenn to the Bengals, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport."
Vikings reportedly reaching out to Drew Brees (CBS Sports)
"It is a widely-held belief that free-agent quarterback Drew Brees will end up signing with the Saints this offseason, but Brees is very much a free agent. He is not restricted by anything other than sentimentality and/or loyalty when it comes to leaving New Orleans. And the idea of Brees, who has Tom Condon for an agent, taking less money and sticking around for those reasons has always felt a little foolish."