The Offensive Line

[Shep]

We can remove all the "buts" and just say this is an excellent OL, one of the best 2 or 3 in the NFL. Clearly not a need... by miles.

 

[Shep]

BTW, Corbett was at RT on the TD pass to Fells, obvious designed rollout because he sprints to his right and engages a LB at the line. Probably in for his athleticism.

We have OT depth as well.

 

[jaydog]

Was he the RT or was he the tackle eligible?

 

[OconRecon]

Over last 6 games: Browns OL is #1 in pass-block efficiency, allowing only 2 sacks and 0 QB hits.

 

[EastSideDawg]

Over last 6 games: Browns OL is #1 in pass-block efficiency, allowing only 2 sacks and 0 QB hits.

another thing to take in if the browns hire an outside HC all the assistants will probably be gone including beloved Bob W.

 

[OconRecon]

Just wow.

QB Hits Allowed between Weeks 9-16:

CLE: 7
NE: 28
BAL, IND, MIN, NO, TEN: 29
PHI: 33
CHI: 34
NYG: 36
CIN: 38
PIT: 39
BUF: 41
CAR, LAR: 42
NYJ, SF: 43
ARI, DEN: 44
HOU: 48
SEA: 50
DAL, JAX: 51
GB: 52
OAK: 53
ATL, WAS: 54
KC: 55
DET, LAC, TB: 56
MIA: 61

 

[NDneighbor]

Just wow.

QB Hits Allowed between Weeks 9-16:

CLE: 7
NE: 28
BAL, IND, MIN, NO, TEN: 29
PHI: 33
CHI: 34
NYG: 36
CIN: 38
PIT: 39
BUF: 41
CAR, LAR: 42
NYJ, SF: 43
ARI, DEN: 44
HOU: 48
SEA: 50
DAL, JAX: 51
GB: 52
OAK: 53
ATL, WAS: 54
KC: 55
DET, LAC, TB: 56
MIA: 61

Cool. Okay. Since we're on this page, here's the time to throw list.

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing#average-time-to-throw

Baker is averaging 2.8. Number 29 on the list.

At first you'd think Baker is making the line look good.

But when you see the TTT list, you see the line has been great.

 

[Enigmatic Evil]

And you look at some of those names who he has a better time than...

He's doing just fine, as is the OL. None of us could have predicted what losing JT would mean but I think things have been pretty okay all around.

 

[nickers]

And you look at some of those names who he has a better time than...

He's doing just fine, as is the OL. None of us could have predicted what losing JT would mean but I think things have been pretty okay all around.

It's strange.. Idiots like Wiley and Whitbeck have this notion our line sucks...

 

[Shep]

We're just well past wondering if the line is good. It's very good.

Sobleski Tweeted something we can all see: The IOL is at the very tip top of the NFL in pass blocking, creating a nice pocket play after play. It's especially important for non 6'5" QBs. The OTs have performed quite a bit better than expected, especially since the midpoint. There are zero guarantees we could flip either and get play this solid.

But... the IOL does not get much push. Odd because Zeitler is a physical mauler, not as quick as the others. Tretter's ankle likely plays a role.

 

[Geech]

losing JT

I spent some time marveling at that fact this past weekend while watching the game. The OL is doing fine. They and Baker's elusiveness and Kitchens's playcalling all have each other to thank for it.

OT is a need this offseason. Don't fool yourselves. Greg Robinson signed a one year deal ($790,000). Do you resign him? Plug in Harrison? Draft an OT?

-Al

 

[DaBrowns41]

I spent some time marveling at that fact this past weekend while watching the game. The OL is doing fine. They and Baker's elusiveness and Kitchens's playcalling all have each other to thank for it.

OT is a need this offseason. Don't fool yourselves. Greg Robinson signed a one year deal ($790,000). Do you resign him? Plug in Harrison? Draft an OT?

-Al

I think Robinson needs to be retained and given an opportunity to earn a starting spot next year. You can't have too much depth and while his play hasn't been outstanding, he's been at the very least serviceable.

At the moment, the tackle class looks to be above average at best, but it does look like it's deep in terms of top 100 talent. As of now, I have around nine OT's ranked in the top 100. I think we should be looking to add a body around rounds 3-5 to hopefully compete for RT since Hubbard is a stop gap.

I see both tackle positions needing upgraded, but if we were to go in with the same unit next year, I think they could make enough progress in the off-season. I could see a battle with a new body, Harrison and Robinson in TC next year and possibly even Corbett if they want to keep experimenting with him outside.

Sign Robinson and continue trying to develop him and Harrison, add a body in the middle rounds for more depth and competition as well. I think an OL and DL should be drafted in every single draft given how crucial it is to win in the trenches.

 

[Shep]

I just don't agree. You can't be the clear cut best pass blocking line in the league (which we've been for a while now) with lame tackles. Doesn't happen. They've shut down some serious pass rushers too, and while Baker certainly helps, his TTT isn't on some magical plane.

He helps in other ways too, like negotiating the pocket, but he's getting very good protection. 100%, Greg Robinson has earned a new deal and the job is his until he does something to lose it. Ditto for Hubbard, who's really come on. Harrison and Corbett (who played some at RT last week) are the young developmental OTs.

Honestly, Browns can certainly feel free to draft another OT and churn out Harrison. Maybe they will. I wouldn't. I could see an interior guy with our second three, which would be a pretty damn good one.

First two rounds are 3-tech and WR in some order... unless we score one or the other in free agency. Grady Jarrett or Tyrell Williams pop to mind.

Say we got Jarrett and N'keal Harry... what would I do in R2? Honestly no clue but I'd think the top options would be CB and LB. OL would be next.

 

[OconRecon]

ZERO SACKS YESTERDAY

Good to hear Dorsey wants G-Rob & Perriman back.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Browns offense allowed 70 QB hits in 2018.<br><br>61 in games 1-8<br><br>9 in games 9-16.<br><br>You have to keep Freddie Kitchens.</p>— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brickwallblitz/status/1079557820830363648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Shep]

The Browns' pass blocking performance over the back half of the season was amazing, shutting down one elite pass rusher and blitzing team after the next. Robinson deserves a pretty solid extension and a hard lock on the starting job.

For me, it's about figuring out why the interior couldn't get a push... and what to do about it. That and adding a big, physical WR does it for me on offense.

 

[DaBrowns41]

I think Robinson deserves to be extended, but I'd hardly put a solid lock on him as he was still just above average. I do think the job is his to lose at this point going into TC, but I still want to see an OT drafted to push him and Hubbard, Harrison, Corbett, etc.

 

[Shep]

We won't draft an OT higher than R3B, I bet. It's a position we just don't need to flip based on performance, and we have Harrison and Corbett. Just don't see how we can do better than blanking one great pass rush team after the next. We can only do worse.

 

[DaBrowns41]

We won't draft an OT higher than R3B, I bet. It's a position we just don't need to flip based on performance, and we have Harrison and Corbett. Just don't see how we can do better than blanking one great pass rush team after the next. We can only do worse.

I'd be fine with that, but I do think we need to add one for the future and to add competition in camp. Our current guys still need to improve, but the good news is that they're still young with upside.

 

[OconRecon]

Final overall guard grades on PFF:

1 Shaq Mason NE 69 82.1 78.6 77.8 954 526 428 A
2 Zack Martin DAL 70 80.5 84.7 73.4 877 522 355 A
3 Marshal Yanda BLT 73 77.5 84.2 70.5 1,162 646 516 A
4 Joel Bitonio CLV 75 74.5 88.1 64.8 1,091 694 397 A
5 Kevin Zeitler CLV 70 74.4 91.7 63.8 1,091 694 397 A
6 Quenton Nelson IND 56 74.3 81.9 69.8 1,136 730 406 A
7 Brandon Brooks PHI 79 73.6 85.4 64.9 1,087 692 395 A
8 Rodger Saffold LAR 76 73.5 71.2 72.8 1,069 648 421 A
9 Ali Marpet TB 74 73.2 79.9 65.7 1,117 773 344 A
10 Mark Glowinski IND 64 72.3 72.0 68.9 601 350 251 A



And guard pass blocking grades:

Kevin Zeitler CLV 70 74.4 91.7 63.8 1,091 694 397 A
Joel Bitonio CLV 75 74.5 88.1 64.8 1,091 694 397 A
Joe Thuney NE 62 70.7 87.2 61.5 1,120 629 491 A
T.J. Lang DET 76 72.0 86.5 60.4 282 185 97 IR
David DeCastro PIT 66 71.7 86.1 59.1 959 661 298 A
Brandon Brooks PHI 79 73.6 85.4 64.9 1,087 692 395 A
Zack Martin DAL 70 80.5 84.7 73.4 877 522 355 A
Ramon Foster PIT 73 69.1 84.5 56.0 1,117 777 340 A
Marshal Yanda BLT 73 77.5 84.2 70.5 1,162 646 516 A
Kyle Long CHI 75 63.7 83.0 54.6 511 314 197 A


And Tretter a top-10 center despite being injured pretty much all year:

1 Jason Kelce PHI 62 84.9 87.7 82.9 1,037 657 380 A
2 Matt Paradis DEN 61 79.0 78.6 77.4 569 356 213 IR
3 Alex Mack ATL 51 77.3 79.1 76.4 1,057 715 342 A
4 Rodney Hudson OAK 61 76.5 90.8 66.2 1,042 651 391 A
5 Brandon Linder JAX 65 74.8 83.1 67.4 507 364 143 IR
6 Corey Linsley GB 63 73.8 85.0 64.8 1,074 774 300 A
7 J.C. Tretter CLV 64 72.3 85.8 64.2 1,091 694 397 A
8 Cody Whitehair CHI 65 70.7 77.8 65.4 1,075 635 440 A
9 David Andrews NE 60 70.4 79.9 66.0 1,104 628 476 A
10 Ryan Kelly IND 78 69.9 74.3 66.3 777 494 283 A

 

[Shep]

Yeah, Tretter was like 2nd or 3rd in pass blocking and 12th in run blocking, both very good. Amazing that he did that on a bum ankle. If he can stay well, Pro Bowl next year.