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The Unofficial... Off-Season... O-line Thread

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  • Article on Bowie with a very good, imbedded video interview with Andy Moeller (OL Coach) that seems to be a couple weeks old.

    http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/OL-Michael-Bowie-fully-healed-ready-to-show-off-physicality-at-training-camp/0a97b0cd-1ce6-4102-ad1a-7008a0058fc4

  • Dawgs by Nature's 2-part, O-line Preview.

    Part One covers the left-side, lock-ins: Thomas, Bito and Mack.

    http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2015/7/5/8895409/cleveland-browns-training-camp-2015-ol-preview-part-1

    Part Two covers the right-side, battles: Greco, Schwartz, Erving and Bowie:

    http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2015/7/6/8903557/cleveland-browns-training-camp-2015-ol-preview-part-2

    Obviously Part Two is where it gets interesting... and the author has an interesting take...

  • Interesting that in the poll last year's starting duo of Greco/Schwartz was leading by only 4 %age points over Erving/Bowie (28% vs 24% of votes cast thus far)

  • Interesting that in the poll last year's starting duo of Greco/Schwartz was leading by only 4 %age points over Erving/Bowie (28% vs 24% of votes cast thus far)

    @texasag1969 said:

    Interesting that in the poll last year's starting duo of Greco/Schwartz was leading by only 4 %age points over Erving/Bowie (28% vs 24% of votes cast thus far)

    Last year's line was very solid, with Mack in it. Greco was excellent, and Schwartz was no slouch. If someone wants to replace Schwartz, they'd better be *very* good. Which is fine by me of course, just means our line gets better.

  • @texasag1969 said:

    Interesting that in the poll last year's starting duo of Greco/Schwartz was leading by only 4 %age points over Erving/Bowie (28% vs 24% of votes cast thus far)

    Last year's line was very solid, with Mack in it. Greco was excellent, and Schwartz was no slouch. If someone wants to replace Schwartz, they'd better be *very* good. Which is fine by me of course, just means our line gets better.

    @gftchris said:

    Last year's line was very solid, with Mack in it. Greco was excellent, and Schwartz was no slouch. If someone wants to replace Schwartz, they'd better be *very* good. Which is fine by me of course, just means our line gets better.

    And what I like best is that it brings out that competition to start that Pettine bases this team on. It can only make us better than last year.

  • @gftchris said:

    Last year's line was very solid, with Mack in it. Greco was excellent, and Schwartz was no slouch. If someone wants to replace Schwartz, they'd better be *very* good. Which is fine by me of course, just means our line gets better.

    And what I like best is that it brings out that competition to start that Pettine bases this team on. It can only make us better than last year.

    @texasag1969 said:

    And what I like best is that it brings out that competition to start that Pettine bases this team on. It can only make us better than last year.

    Another thing to note - although it's great that JT hasn't missed a snap and is currently being fitted for a gold jacket and a bust, as we saw with Mack, there's nothing to say his every-snap streak won't end on snap 1 of the pre-season even. For the first time in basically ever, we have someone in Erving who can actually do a reasonable job covering.

  • Interesting that in the poll last year's starting duo of Greco/Schwartz was leading by only 4 %age points over Erving/Bowie (28% vs 24% of votes cast thus far)

    @texasag1969 said:

    Interesting that in the poll last year's starting duo of Greco/Schwartz was leading by only 4 %age points over Erving/Bowie (28% vs 24% of votes cast thus far)

    Interesting AND surprising....24% want to replace 2 veteran players who performed really well with 2 unproven players with little or no experience?......Ok......

    @texasag1969 said:

    And what I like best is that it brings out that competition to start that Pettine bases this team on. It can only make us better than last year.

    .....love the depth and the competition all over the place.....so much better than players just winning the job by default, just because they're the only ones who can almost play.....😉

  • @texasag1969 said:

    And what I like best is that it brings out that competition to start that Pettine bases this team on. It can only make us better than last year.

    Another thing to note - although it's great that JT hasn't missed a snap and is currently being fitted for a gold jacket and a bust, as we saw with Mack, there's nothing to say his every-snap streak won't end on snap 1 of the pre-season even. For the first time in basically ever, we have someone in Erving who can actually do a reasonable job covering.

    @gftchris said:

    Another thing to note - there's nothing to say his every-snap streak won't end on snap 1 of the pre-season even.

    Shhhhhhhhhush!!!!......better take that back....otherwise, if it happens, its on you buddy.....

  • @gftchris said:

    Another thing to note - there's nothing to say his every-snap streak won't end on snap 1 of the pre-season even.

    Shhhhhhhhhush!!!!......better take that back....otherwise, if it happens, its on you buddy.....

    @mudfly said:

    Shhhhhhhhhush!!!!......better take that back....otherwise, if it happens, its on you buddy.....

    If it happens, come back here and I'll apologize 😉

  • So, if somebody has to fill in for Joe Thomas, GOD FORBID,...

    who would it be?

    Irving, I suppose. I don't see where Bowie ever played LT.

  • They're working Irving there right now, so Id think he's the logical choice.....but Id also say Bitonio would be a decent option...

  • They're working Irving there right now, so Id think he's the logical choice.....but Id also say Bitonio would be a decent option...

    @mudfly said:

    but Id also say Bitonio would be a decent option...

    Ding Ding Ding...

    Bito was clearly our best LT option last year had a non-Thomas need arose, and barring great strides at OT by Erving, it's the best option I see for 2015 as well.

  • @mudfly said:

    but Id also say Bitonio would be a decent option...

    Ding Ding Ding...

    Bito was clearly our best LT option last year had a non-Thomas need arose, and barring great strides at OT by Erving, it's the best option I see for 2015 as well.

    @tour2ma said:

    Ding Ding Ding...

    Bito was clearly our best LT option last year had a non-Thomas need arose

    This is just your opinion based on observation and last year's preseason right? Or did Bitonio actually play there a few plays during the season?

    Regardless, why not, then, start him at RT?

  • @tour2ma said:

    Ding Ding Ding...

    Bito was clearly our best LT option last year had a non-Thomas need arose

    This is just your opinion based on observation and last year's preseason right? Or did Bitonio actually play there a few plays during the season?

    Regardless, why not, then, start him at RT?

    @wargograw said:

    This is just your opinion based on observation and last year's preseason right? Or did Bitonio actually play there a few plays during the season?

    Regardless, why not, then, start him at RT?

    Bito didnt play there, but is the only other true OT on the team, so he would have been the logical back up last season. In re to playing RT, I think they feel he's a great guard, but would only be average at tackle.....plus...if he played RT, then we'd only have about the same level of play at that position, while having a huge drop off at LG......(cause, then, who would play there?)....

    Ha!.....poor Mitchell Schwartz....never missed a single play in his whole career....ranked in the top 1/2 of the league.....yet everyone wants him to be replaced......

  • Schwartz has a tough job. He plays right tackle opposite arguably the best LT in the

    entire NFL. So the major pass rushers have to go to his side to have much of a chance

    to stop plays. He's had his struggles, but he's also played well.

    the other problem was the lack of receivers who can get off the line and get open quickly,

    big enough to see on slants. I think that problem is fixed. Hoyer had to roll out so often

    defenses started going out to where he was going in the roll out. Not good.

    I can't wait til this offense take the field. The whole team. I don't see major weaknesses

    in the first and second string talent like before. And I don't really care that we didn't get

    a "superstar" qb. We know the left side of the excellent oline... my guess is, that Cam-Schwartz

    sounds better than Greco-Cam. Maybe Schwartz had the "sophomore blues". I wouldn't discount

    him staying at RT. With the upgrade of talent, and a qb with a stronger zip on the ball, more experience

    starting,... Greco's experience is still worth it's weight in gold if Cam isn't quite ready to start.

    But he might be ready. Cool situation. It will help that Duke is going to terrorize defenses, imho.

  • Schwartz has a tough job. He plays right tackle opposite arguably the best LT in the

    entire NFL. So the major pass rushers have to go to his side to have much of a chance

    to stop plays. He's had his struggles, but he's also played well.

    the other problem was the lack of receivers who can get off the line and get open quickly,

    big enough to see on slants. I think that problem is fixed. Hoyer had to roll out so often

    defenses started going out to where he was going in the roll out. Not good.

    I can't wait til this offense take the field. The whole team. I don't see major weaknesses

    in the first and second string talent like before. And I don't really care that we didn't get

    a "superstar" qb. We know the left side of the excellent oline... my guess is, that Cam-Schwartz

    sounds better than Greco-Cam. Maybe Schwartz had the "sophomore blues". I wouldn't discount

    him staying at RT. With the upgrade of talent, and a qb with a stronger zip on the ball, more experience

    starting,... Greco's experience is still worth it's weight in gold if Cam isn't quite ready to start.

    But he might be ready. Cool situation. It will help that Duke is going to terrorize defenses, imho.

    @calfoxwc said:

    Schwartz has a tough job. He plays right tackle opposite arguably the best LT in the

    entire NFL. So the major pass rushers have to go to his side to have much of a chance

    to stop plays. He's had his struggles, but he's also played well.

    the other problem was the lack of receivers who can get off the line and get open quickly,

    big enough to see on slants. I think that problem is fixed. Hoyer had to roll out so often

    defenses started going out to where he was going in the roll out. Not good.

    I can't wait til this offense take the field. The whole team. I don't see major weaknesses

    in the first and second string talent like before. And I don't really care that we didn't get

    a "superstar" qb. We know the left side of the excellent oline... my guess is, that Cam-Schwartz

    sounds better than Greco-Cam. Maybe Schwartz had the "sophomore blues". I wouldn't discount

    him staying at RT. With the upgrade of talent, and a qb with a stronger zip on the ball, more experience

    starting,... Greco's experience is still worth it's weight in gold if Cam isn't quite ready to start.

    But he might be ready. Cool situation. It will help that Duke is going to terrorize defenses, imho.

    This right here. Having small, shifty, slot receivers is cool and all - but a big bodied pass catcher that can use a tall frame to shield the defender away is a damn nice thing to have.

    Our oline situation is pretty damn awesome. We have 3 pro bowlers on the left side of the line, a top 10 guard on the right and another upper tier tackle on the right. Name me the last time the Browns had, across the board, this much talent up front. It's been a while.

    When the run game picks up where it left off, there will be a ton of high percentage throws and calculated deep shots that will open up for McCown.

  • @wargograw said:

    This is just your opinion based on observation and last year's preseason right? Or did Bitonio actually play there a few plays during the season?

    Regardless, why not, then, start him at RT?

    Bito didnt play there, but is the only other true OT on the team, so he would have been the logical back up last season. In re to playing RT, I think they feel he's a great guard, but would only be average at tackle.....plus...if he played RT, then we'd only have about the same level of play at that position, while having a huge drop off at LG......(cause, then, who would play there?)....

    Ha!.....poor Mitchell Schwartz....never missed a single play in his whole career....ranked in the top 1/2 of the league.....yet everyone wants him to be replaced......

    @mudfly said:

    Bito didnt play there, but is the only other true OT on the team, so he would have been the logical back up last season. In re to playing RT, I think they feel he's a great guard, but would only be average at tackle.....plus...if he played RT, then we'd only have about the same level of play at that position, while having a huge drop off at LG......(cause, then, who would play there?)....

    Ha!.....poor Mitchell Schwartz....never missed a single play in his whole career....ranked in the top 1/2 of the league.....yet everyone wants him to be replaced......

    ... and undeniably the weakest link compared to our other starting four. Hey! Someone has to be... but Mitch always has had Z's love to see him through.

    Exactly right on Bito... he was an easy call last year. Bito's combination of athleticism and technique rocketed him to third place behind Joe and Mack. The only thing he lacks is height and reach to be a great LT... make that height as surprisingly Joe lacks the "required" arm length as well... lol...

    Player .......... Ht / Arm Length / 3-cone / Shuttle

    Joe Thomas .. : 6'6.5 / 32-1/2 / 7.95 / 4.84 https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=joel+bitonio+combine+results&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7TSNF_en&gws_rd=ssl#q=joe+thomas+nfl+combine+results+arm+length

    Joel Bitonio .... : 6'4.2 / 33-7/8 / 7.37 / 4.44 http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/joel-bitonio?id=2543737

    Cam Eving ..... : 6'5.4 / 34-1/8 / 7.48 / 4.63 http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/cameron-erving?id=2552240

    Mitch Schwartz: 6'5.3 / 33-1/2 / 7.86 / 4.87 http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/mitchell-schwartz?id=2532945

    Michael Bowie : 6'4.5 / 31-1/2 / 8.06 / 4.84 http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90268&draftyear=2013&genpos=ot

    Like I said, Cam makes it more interesting this year.

  • @calfoxwc said:

    Schwartz has a tough job. He plays right tackle opposite arguably the best LT in the

    entire NFL. So the major pass rushers have to go to his side to have much of a chance

    to stop plays. He's had his struggles, but he's also played well.

    the other problem was the lack of receivers who can get off the line and get open quickly,

    big enough to see on slants. I think that problem is fixed. Hoyer had to roll out so often

    defenses started going out to where he was going in the roll out. Not good.

    I can't wait til this offense take the field. The whole team. I don't see major weaknesses

    in the first and second string talent like before. And I don't really care that we didn't get

    a "superstar" qb. We know the left side of the excellent oline... my guess is, that Cam-Schwartz

    sounds better than Greco-Cam. Maybe Schwartz had the "sophomore blues". I wouldn't discount

    him staying at RT. With the upgrade of talent, and a qb with a stronger zip on the ball, more experience

    starting,... Greco's experience is still worth it's weight in gold if Cam isn't quite ready to start.

    But he might be ready. Cool situation. It will help that Duke is going to terrorize defenses, imho.

    This right here. Having small, shifty, slot receivers is cool and all - but a big bodied pass catcher that can use a tall frame to shield the defender away is a damn nice thing to have.

    Our oline situation is pretty damn awesome. We have 3 pro bowlers on the left side of the line, a top 10 guard on the right and another upper tier tackle on the right. Name me the last time the Browns had, across the board, this much talent up front. It's been a while.

    When the run game picks up where it left off, there will be a ton of high percentage throws and calculated deep shots that will open up for McCown.

    @tiamat63 said:

    This right here. Having small, shifty, slot receivers is cool and all - but a big bodied pass catcher that can use a tall frame to shield the defender away is a damn nice thing to have.

    Can you say Terrelle Pryor?

    Our oline situation is pretty damn awesome. We have 3 pro bowlers on the left side of the line, a top 10 guard on the right and another upper tier tackle on the right. Name me the last time the Browns had, across the board, this much talent up front. It's been a while.

    Last year......but the whole thing went south with Mack's injury. His replacement was shite and the whole OLine suffered.

    When the run game picks up where it left off, there will be a ton of high percentage throws and calculated deep shots that will open up for McCown.

    And, maybe, unlike under Shanahan, this new OC Flip will actually throw some passes to his RBs......and hopefully a guy like Duke Johnson can play like Greg Pruitt.

  • @tiamat63 said:

    This right here. Having small, shifty, slot receivers is cool and all - but a big bodied pass catcher that can use a tall frame to shield the defender away is a damn nice thing to have.

    Can you say Terrelle Pryor?

    Our oline situation is pretty damn awesome. We have 3 pro bowlers on the left side of the line, a top 10 guard on the right and another upper tier tackle on the right. Name me the last time the Browns had, across the board, this much talent up front. It's been a while.

    Last year......but the whole thing went south with Mack's injury. His replacement was shite and the whole OLine suffered.

    When the run game picks up where it left off, there will be a ton of high percentage throws and calculated deep shots that will open up for McCown.

    And, maybe, unlike under Shanahan, this new OC Flip will actually throw some passes to his RBs......and hopefully a guy like Duke Johnson can play like Greg Pruitt.

    @the-gipper said:

    @tiamat63 said:

    This right here. Having small, shifty, slot receivers is cool and all - but a big bodied pass catcher that can use a tall frame to shield the defender away is a damn nice thing to have.

    Can you say Terrelle Pryor?

    Our oline situation is pretty damn awesome. We have 3 pro bowlers on the left side of the line, a top 10 guard on the right and another upper tier tackle on the right. Name me the last time the Browns had, across the board, this much talent up front. It's been a while.

    Last year......but the whole thing went south with Mack's injury. His replacement was shite and the whole OLine suffered.

    When the run game picks up where it left off, there will be a ton of high percentage throws and calculated deep shots that will open up for McCown.

    And, maybe, unlike under Shanahan, this new OC Flip will actually throw some passes to his RBs......and hopefully a guy like Duke Johnson can play like Greg Pruitt.

    Replace Pryor with Hartline and I agree with your statement.

    As for Macks injury, we now have an upper tier replacement in Greco. Thus Cam can move in at RG.

    Flip has expressly said he's getting his backs involved, which I'm all in agreement for. I can't begin to stress how difficult it can be as a linebacker

    to track a back and then make an open field stop, more specifically after there's been an assignment change from motion.

  • @the-gipper said:

    @tiamat63 said:

    This right here. Having small, shifty, slot receivers is cool and all - but a big bodied pass catcher that can use a tall frame to shield the defender away is a damn nice thing to have.

    Can you say Terrelle Pryor?

    Our oline situation is pretty damn awesome. We have 3 pro bowlers on the left side of the line, a top 10 guard on the right and another upper tier tackle on the right. Name me the last time the Browns had, across the board, this much talent up front. It's been a while.

    Last year......but the whole thing went south with Mack's injury. His replacement was shite and the whole OLine suffered.

    When the run game picks up where it left off, there will be a ton of high percentage throws and calculated deep shots that will open up for McCown.

    And, maybe, unlike under Shanahan, this new OC Flip will actually throw some passes to his RBs......and hopefully a guy like Duke Johnson can play like Greg Pruitt.

    Replace Pryor with Hartline and I agree with your statement.

    As for Macks injury, we now have an upper tier replacement in Greco. Thus Cam can move in at RG.

    Flip has expressly said he's getting his backs involved, which I'm all in agreement for. I can't begin to stress how difficult it can be as a linebacker

    to track a back and then make an open field stop, more specifically after there's been an assignment change from motion.

    @tiamat63 said:

    Replace Pryor with Hartline and I agree with your statement.

    Hartline isn't all that "tall to shield a defender away from him" is he?

    As for Macks injury, we now have an upper tier replacement in Greco. Thus Cam can move in at RG.

    Definitely....or at least hopefully, an upgrade for sure.

    Flip has expressly said he's getting his backs involved, which I'm all in agreement for. I can't begin to stress how difficult it can be as a linebacker

    to track a back and then make an open field stop, more specifically after there's been an assignment change from motion.

    The Duker should be supreme at this.