Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: 5 players flying under the radar

By Joel W. Cade

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 12: Carl Nassib #94 and Jamie Meder #98 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after recording a safety in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 12, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 12: Carl Nassib #94 and Jamie Meder #98 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after recording a safety in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 12, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 2: Center Austin Reiter #62 of the Cleveland Browns sits injured on the field against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 2, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 2: Center Austin Reiter #62 of the Cleveland Browns sits injured on the field against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 2, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. Austin Reiter

Austin Reiter burst onto the scene in the 2016 NFL season. Fans may remember that season for the fateful decision to play Cameron Erving at center. That experiment did not go well. Early in the season Erving was injured. To replace Erving, the Browns moved then right guard John Greco to center. His play at center was less than spectacular.

That was the beginning of the black hole of death that was the center position. During the 2016 season then Browns played Erving, Greco and Austin Reiter. Reiter was picked up off the Washington Redskins practice squad as insurance against another injury at center.

Related Story: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Greco’s play merited him a return to right guard. Reiter then started his first ever NFL game at center. But right tackle Austin Pasztor apparently didn’t like another Austin moving in on his scene. During that game, Pasztor was unable to control a bull rush (this was typical for Pasztor). In the midst of trying to keep his quarterback from being injured, Pasztor threw his man into Reiter’s knee ending Reiter’s season with an ACL injury. Reiter’s play was promising but his year was cut short.

The following season the Browns brought in oft injured J.C. Tretter to shore up the black hole of death. In what must have been divine intervention, Tretter was healthy for all 16 games last season. Thus, our hero Reiter only played in eight snaps of offense last season.

But Reiter provides a solid backup option at center. Should Tretter have an injury (knock on wood), the Browns will need Reiter to step in and carry the load. Should that have to happen, Reiter’s presence will be a blessing and could solidify the position.

Home/Browns News