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Pro Football Focus down on Cleveland Browns offensive line

By Joel W. Cade

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Guard Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after kicker Travis Coons #6 of the Cleveland Browns kicked an overtime field goal to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-30 during a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Guard Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after kicker Travis Coons #6 of the Cleveland Browns kicked an overtime field goal to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-30 during a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns l(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns l(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns made eye-opening improvements to their offense. But did they take a step backward on the offensive line?

The Cleveland Browns have employed possibly the best left tackle the game has ever seen. In his final season, the Browns went 0-16.

There is no correlation between having great offensive linemen and wins. If there were, the Joe Thomas-era Browns would have won a lot more games.

There is also little correlation between having a great offensive line and wins. If this were the case the 2015 Browns would have won a lot of games. In 2015, the Browns started (from left to right) Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack, John Greco and Mitchell Schwartz. That offensive line was ranked as one of the best in the league. In 2015, the Browns finished 3-13.

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So, when Pro Football Focus comes out with their offensive line rankings, it is really a matter of indifference except that it makes good fodder for conversation during the NFL slow season. This year, PFF ranked the Browns’ offensive line as the 20th best out of 32 teams.

By comparison, the Cincinnati Bengals were ranked 27th. Their offensive line is a mess. They sought help in the draft by taking Alabama’s Jonah Williams with the 11th pick in the NFL draft. In June, Williams suffered a torn labrum and will miss the entire 2019 season.

The Baltimore Ravens came in ranked 11th in the PFF rankings. PFF correctly points out that tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Marshal Yanda are the only standouts on the line. But an average surrounding cast somehow makes them deserving of the rank. The Ravens are built to run the ball in a passing league. Should be interesting to see how the offense that made Colin Kaepernick a cultural icon will fare in 2019. In the NFL, past success is not an indicator of future performance.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked a whopping 3rd in this ranking. The Steelers lost their offensive line coach this past offseason. If you think that is not significant, look at what happened to the New England Patriots offensive line when coach Danta Sarcheneccia retired. Patriots head coach put in extra time talking him out of retirement the following season. The Steelers also lost significant offensive weapons this offseason.

But enough of division rivals. Let’s get to the nitty-gritty about the Browns.

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