Finally, training camp is here. About damn time. As I watch video on Twitter of practice, I’ve noticed a few things. Myles Garrett is a beast, Greedy Williams is working hard be the starting corner opposite Denzel Ward and everyone is trying out to be the starting RG for the Cleveland Browns. So as the journey begins, lets look at two of the position groups I’m most concerned about, Offensive line and the secondary.
Looking at the depth chart for the offensive line, the locks are, LT Greg Robinson, LG Joel Bitonio. C JC Tretter and RT Chris Hubbard. The competition is at Right Guard. Austin Corbett took the reps with the first team on day one, Kyle Kalis took first team reps on day two and Eric Kush took first team reps on day three. Of the three, I like Eric Kush. He was rated last year as the best pass protection guard by Pro Football Focus. Kalis and Corbett can play center and Corbett can play tackle.
As for the Tackle position, after Hubbard and Robinson, there’s Kendall Lamm and that should scare all Browns fans. Frankly I don’t think he’s that good. After that, there’s Ka’John Armstrong and rookie Drew Forbes who can play both guard and tackle and I really don’t know much about Brad Seaton other than he’s a 1 year pro out of Villanova. Also there’s Bryan Witzmann at back up guard. As mentioned earlier, Kalis is listed as the back up center as is rookie Willie Wright and newly signed John Yarbrough. So, would an injury to a starter be cause for concern? You bet your ass it would. But then again, last year with the plays Kitchens called, it helped Robinson and Hubbard look better than they are. It also helps when your quarterback goes though his progressions quickly, feels pressure and is always looking to pass down field.
Right now my starting five are Robinson, Bitonio, Tretter, Kush and Hubbard. Lamm is probably the swing tackle and Drew Forbes is probably heading to the practice squad. As for the rest, I’ll wait till the preseason games start. I’m really curious as who starts the first preseason game and who plays in the fourth quarter or as I call it, “the paper or plastic” quarter.
The other position group that concerns me is the secondary. Okay, if Greedy Williams is as good as they say he is, starting corner back is not a problem. From what I’ve seen on video and read on line he is earning the starting job. He’s covering OBJ and winning some of the battles. Denzel Ward needs no comment, other than his tackling technique. Please, no more concussions. We know Steve Wilks will play a lot of sets with extra corners, so we know guys like T J Carrie and Terrance Mitchell can play. I’m curious in seeing guys like Phillip Gaines, Lenzy Pipkins and Juston Burris. At worst, they can help the special teams.
As for the safety position, Damarious Randall is the leader of the secondary and needs to get paid. Give the man an extension. Morgan Burnett can play the run, but not the pass. Jermaine Whitehead and Eric Murray are having good camps, but Murray maybe better suited for special teams. Rookie Sheldrick Redwine is also having a good camp. Man, it would be great to get contributions to the secondary from two 2019 draft picks. There are still rumors the Browns might sign Eric Berry. If they do they might wait till after week one, then his money wouldn’t be guaranteed. He’s only played 3 games in two years. Also, the Cowboys may have an interest.
I didn’t mention depth at the defensive line position as a concern because I have a feeling John Dorsey will sign someone prior to the season. They just need to find a guy who will embrace the position as a rotational player.
Other news, Duke Johnson’s agent Drew Rosenhaus was in Berea again Monday. Still think the Browns would be crazy to trade Duke Johnson. Dontrell Hilliard is a nice back but not a Duke Johnson. Also the uncertainty of Kareem Hunt scares me. Please stay home at night Kareem, for gods sake stay home.
News that affects the Browns. Taylor Lewan, starting left tackle for the Browns first opponent, the titans, suspended for the first four games. He’s their best lineman and now swing tackle Dennis Kelly will have to play LT. Marcus Mariota better practice a quicker release. By the way, one of the back up tackles is Austin Pazstor. So yes, depth is an issue.
Finally, Dee Haslam says the Browns helmet will not change when the new uniforms a unveiled. That’s great news to me. I like the classic helmet. The Browns are having trouble with the league and their color rush uniforms. The are allowed to wear them twice, but the Browns want to wear them a few more times. It’s almost like the NFL doesn’t want the fans money for uniform sales. Go figure.
I hope you enjoyed my take on the Browns early in training camp. Their roster is more talented on paper than it’s been in awhile that’s for sure. But remember the movie “Ishtar” looked good on paper as well and we know how that turned out. Just kidding, this team is going to be fun to watch and to follow. When’s the last time Browns fans could say that.
P.S. I think there should be a new rule in Major League Baseball. At every pitching change, the pitcher should throw the ball over the outfield fence. Who’s with me?