Cleveland Browns O-Line: Big kids rule
The always-awesome Cleveland Browns big kids are back and expected to be better than ever.
There are many reasons for the resurgence of the Cleveland Browns, but five of them are the rotund individuals on the offensive line. All five gravitationally challenged men are coming back this season, making it the second year in a row that all five players have played together.
Continuity in the offensive line, needless to say, is a major advantage.
The Big Five have four legit threats to make the Pro Bowl. Left guard Joel Bitonio has made the last three Pro Bowls in a row and is just as rock-solid as can be. Fans would like to see Bitonio’s contract extended, but so far it has not happened.
Center J.C. Tretter is monstrously important to the NFL. His leadership basically saved the NFL from Covid-19 death last season by getting the owners to negotiate an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement that became a model for other major league sports.
Without Tretter and the NFLPA, the owners were basically just going to suspend players without pay when they got sick, and that was their plan. That would have been a fiasco. Tretter saved the owners from self-inflicted death by stupidity that might otherwise have toppled the league. Tretter has yet to be named to a Pro Bowl, although his play suggests that he is worthy.
Similarly, Wyatt Teller has a brilliant future in the pancake industry when he retires from football. Pro Football Focus named him to their All-Pro Team after he flattened defensive tackles in the AFC North this season. Likewise, he was joined by teammate Jack Conklin, who also made the Pro Bowl in addition to being honored by Pro Football Focus.
That leaves Jedrick Wills among the starters. We do a deep dive on Mr. Wills in the next page.
Beyond that, let’s look at the overall depth. Last season, most of the time, the Browns only has eight offensive linemen. They are losing a very skilled backup tackle in Kendall Lamm, but replacing him with fourth-round pick James Hudson as well as guard Drew Forbes coming off the Covid-19 list.
They also have late-season call-ups Michael Dunn and Blake Hance, who played well against the Steelers in the Playoffs. Hence they are potentially deeper this season than they were in 2020.
Browns comings and goings
Core Group: (5) LT Jedrick Wills LG Joel Bitonio C J.C. Tretter RG Wyatt Teller RT Jack Conklin
Core 2nd String (2): C Nick Harris T/G Chris Hubbard
Late Season Adds (3): G Michael Dunn, G Blake Hance C Anthony Fabiano
Browns lost: (-1) OT Kendall Lamm
Browns Add: (2) G Drew Forbes (Covid list) OT James Hudson (4th Round)