After checking out Cam Erving with PFF, I have to concede that he is pretty bad at center. But again, it was RG John Greco, more than anybody else, who did a batwing door impression and let the quarterbacks get slammed vs the Steelers.
Nor were Erving's line calls responsible. Every passrusher had a hat on him. The individual blockers were physically beaten. I feel like I'm back in junior high, watching a bunch of eighth graders torture a seventh grade nerd.
I mean, it's so much fun to abuse somebody! Everybody wants to get in on it! Haha!
Well, I feel for Erving. Bad enough he's playing so badly. Now he's being blamed for Greco's blown blocks, and for the quarterbacks holding the ball all day, and for guys not executing their assignments too.
Even Terry Pluto got in on it. Very few scouting services had Erving rated as a first rounder? Wrong! Almost all of them did, and a few had him rated as the best overall offensive lineman. I can't believe my buddy Terry giggling and kicking the guy too---are we wolves, or something? We smell blood and stop thinking?
But Terry suggesting that Greco at center might work better makes sense.
Hue Jackson said that if Erving couldn't master center, he would be tried at tackle. There you go again, snickering and laughing. Don't let him get up! Keep kicking him! He's not even crying yet!
Erving was an elite college tackle before he moved to center in his last five college games. He had good height and good feet. His height and long limbs were an advantage outside in space, but are a disadvantage inside vs defensive tackles.
But that's for next training camp. Cam played left tackle in college, and playing on the right side is like night and day, as LeCharles Bentley stresses. If Cam Erving can't play right tackle, THEN he's a bust.
Which brings us back to center: John Greco is a nice option for now, and Austin Reiter made a strong first impression before hitting IR.
Reiter was entering his second NFL season. His scouting reports were mixed. He had a ton of college starts, but played at the lowest level. His bench press was phenominal, and (bullcrap aside) his speed and agility were slightly above average. In short, he proved to at least have the physical tools to succeed in the NFL.
Most reports projected him as a backup in his first NFL season, owing to his extensive experience and solid technique. Some declared him a carreer backup, while others said he could start eventually.
Reiter blocks well at the second level, in space, and drives people off the ball. Because of his level of competition, his college stats aren't reliable, but for what it's worth, he protected exceptionally well too.
Reiter is being taken very seriously as a potential starter in 2017 for the Browns. It will be his third NFL season, and he has now proven that, at least for one game, he can take on NFL starters and beat them.
At guard, Spencer Drango is emerging as a pleasant rookie surprise, especially in protection (well I mean for any quarterback who doesn't need all freaking day).
Bitonio will of course reclaim left guard when he returns.
Center would ideally be Reiter, but could be Greco if he's not good enough. Right guard is between Drango, Greco, et al. Shon Coleman, Erving, Pazstor, and maybe Drango can fight over right tackle.
Note on Pasztor: Per PFF, he has improved dramaticly at right tackle, and is also a potential starting guard.
In short, the Browns will no doubt draft an offensive lineman or two high, but this is not the disaster Chicken Little is squawking about. There are five offensive line positions, and Bitonio is one of them.
Who starts at the other three positions is unknown, but there are good and emerging players who should do fine.
As Lesmerisis so eloquently points out, Hue Jackson shouldn't have to defend Sashi Brown among adults. This IS a rebuilding, and developing young players SHOULD BE the main focus.
Sashi will ideally ignore Chicken Little in the draft. He doesn't need to replace the whole offensive line. He has a solid foundation that can be enhanced.
He doesn't need any more "playmakers", either. He just needs a quarterback.
The cornerbacks have actually been playing pretty well, but they're all vertically challenged. Brien Boddy-Calhoun is a big surprise, and has a bright future.
The defense in general doesn't need a major upgrade (no. It. Doesn't.). The safeties need to improve vs the run, and make the correct presnap calls. Nassib needs both hands. They need to re-sign Jamie Collins, and design ways to feature him.
This is the plan. Jimmy Haslam doesn't need to be patient. The fans do.
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