Cleveland Browns: Position battles to watch during training camp
By Dan Justik
Left Tackle
The most publicized position battle on the Browns roster is trying to find the replacement for Joe Thomas. So far for Cleveland, they are having as hard of a time as expected trying to replace the future Hall of Famer.
After signing Chris Hubbard to become the team’s starting right tackle, the team moved last year’s starting right tackle Shon Coleman to left tackle. Throughout summer workouts, Coleman has been the player most likely to take over the starting left tackle job.
Although he struggled last season on the right side of the line, there is hope that he can excel on the side that he is used to playing from his college years. He has also received help from Thomas, which could help him clean up his technique and take him to the next level.
But Coleman will be pushed during camp by rookie Austin Corbett. The team drafted Corbett with the 33rd overall pick in this year’s draft. Although he has taken snaps all across the line this off-season, it is unlikely the Browns used such a valuable selection on a lineman they did not expect to take over the left tackle job.
There are concerns that Corbett’s body-type does not make him a good fit to play tackle in the NFL. But he proved that he is a technician that can control a defensive linemen and make the blocks that he needs to make.
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Expect to see Corbett take snaps primarily at left tackle when training camp opens. If he shows that he can play well at the position, it may not take him long before he earns his spot as the starting left tackle. But if his frame does not translate well to playing tackle, there is no other real threat to the starting job for Coleman.
Cleveland has undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison on the roster, but he may need a year on the practice squad or as the backup tackle until he truly becomes a threat to become the starter.
Greg Robinson was also signed late in the off-season after Donald Stephenson was placed on the reserve/retired list. But Robinson is not expected to push to become a starter and instead fight for a roster spot as a linemen that can play both tackle and guard.