Cleveland Browns: Signing Greg Robinson a head scratcher
By Joel W. Cade
The Cleveland Browns need help at left tackle. They searched the free agent market and found former first round pick Greg Robinson. But can he help?
The Cleveland Browns signed former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. The moves comes on the heels of Donald Stephenson’s two game suspension.
To make room for Robinson the Browns have released Rod Johnson whom they selected in the fifth-round last year.
One of two things could be happening with this signing. First, Robinson is being signed to fill the backup and swing tackle role. Or second, he comes it with the mandate to compete at left tackle for the Browns.
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The first scenario raises some questions. Shon Coleman has been getting the first team reps at left tackle. Donald Stephenson has be AWOL.
Rookie offensive lineman Austin Corbett played left tackle at rookie camp and was taking second team reps in team mini-camp.
If Robinson is coming to play the swing role, does this signal the end of Donald Stephenson? If did does, could anyone blame the Browns for doing so?
More interesting would be the impact that Robinson would have for Austin Corbett. At this point, Corbett is taking reps at tackle. This signing may signal the move of Corbett inside where he is probably best suited to play. He played center in the Senior Bowl. Signing Robinson as a back could mean the move of Corbett back inside.
Scenario two raises even more concerns. If Robinson is brought in to compete at left tackle, one has to begin asking how bad the left tackle situation is. Robinson is not a good offensive tackle. Pro Football Focus ranked Robinson 78th of 81 offensive tackles this past season.
If Robinson is a legitimate candidate to start at left tackle, then the situation with Shon Coleman must be pretty bad. Moving Coleman to left tackle should have begun immediately after Joe Thomas got injured last season. But Browns fans had to suffer through the play of Spencer Drango. Coleman was not exactly at his best pass blocking. He is best suited for run blocking.
Coleman to left tackle is an experiment in the making. It will probably work out. But there is no guarantee it will. Robinson will be good insurance against a monumental collapse by Coleman.
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Robinson could be a great addition for depth and veteran presence as a backup tackle. It would allow the Browns to move Corbett inside where his future most likely lies. Robinson could be counted on in a pinch.