Cleveland Browns: Greg Robinson benefiting from scheme change

The Cleveland Browns came out of the bye week and put a hurting on the Bengals. But it is Greg Robinson that is benefiting most.

The Cleveland Browns have a much improved offensive line. Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Browns offensive line as the number three overall group in the league. It doesn’t get much better than that for a group that was previously on pace for an astounding number of quarterback hits.

In fact, the Browns offensive line has surrendered the fewest quarterback hits in the month of November. The Browns have also reduced the numbers of hurries and pressures. This newfound time has allowed Browns quarterback and Cleveland folk hero Baker Mayfield to wake up feeling dangerous.

But what exactly has led to this amazing turnaround? Did the offensive line suddenly learn how to pass block when previously they looked inept?

There has only been one major change along the offensive line. To the bench went undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison. Harrison shows a serious amount of potential. But he has yet to develop functional strength to stop bull rushes. His play was a major reason Mayfield experienced a large number of hits. Harrison also was committing false start and holding penalties due to his technique issues. As bright as his future may be, that future is not right now.

Enter Greg Robinson. Robinson is the retread offensive lineman from the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. He was the second pick in the 2014 NFL draft. It was a pick the Rams acquired in the Robert Griffin III trade.

Robinson did not enter the league prepared to start. He struggled with the Rams and was eventually traded to the Detroit Lions. He obviously failed to impress there as the Lions allowed him to leave via free agency. This is Robinson’s fifth year in the league. Had he lived up to his draft potential, he would be on the fifth year of his rookie contract.

But he did not. Robinson struggled greatly to protect the blind side of quarterbacks for the Rams and the Lions. Robinson came into the league from Auburn with great athleticism but without much technique. Browns fans will be familiar with this narrative as it is the same one fans endured with former Browns offensive lineman Shon Coleman also from Auburn.

But can one really put the newfound success of the offensive line on the choice to replace one offensive tackle with another? Surely you jest.

The Browns have changed schemes that have led to more success on the field. The offensive line scheme changes have also contributed to that success.