@wargograw said:

I think its an indictment of just how good the AFCN really is.

@canton-dawg said:

PFF has all 4 AFCN teams OL's ranked in the top 10. . .

@PFF: Top 10 Offensive Lines:

1. Cowboys

2. Ravens

3. Browns

4. Packers

5. Bengals

6. Eagles

7. Texans

8. Steelers

9. Lions

10. Saints

https://twitter.com/pff/status/638064016439517184

Yep. That's only one writer though. The site's opinion as a whole has us #1.

@PFF: Top 10 Offensive Lines:

1. Cowboys

2. Ravens

3. Browns

4. Packers

5. Bengals

6. Eagles

7. Texans

8. Steelers

9. Lions

10. Saints

https://twitter.com/pff/status/638064016439517184

@tour2ma said:

when you get to doing some grades, one guy who is flying under the radar is Eric Olsen.....he's gettin a lot of reps and plays both guards and center....and(according to pff at least) is our best rated reserve OL so far...which isnt saying much because they all have low scores....blech...

anyhow....curious if he's a candidate to stay.....

I honestly think Erving got tired in the 2nd half. His technique, such as it is, all but disappeared in the 4th. Both his conditioning and technique will improve, but I am not sure the latter will ever rise to LT worthiness.

Joe's greatness makes him indispensable, but I still maintain that our best back up LT is our starting LG. It's equally possible that our best back up RT is our starting RG.

At any rate... we are one player deeper this year than we were last... and that's called improvement.

So, while I understand that anyone can go down on any play, historically this group has proven to be as reliable as any. And if we have a couple guys who can play several positions, Id say a couple back ups are enough to start. These other OL guys can be stashed on the PS and brought up if needed or just waived and resigned later(or maybe we sign someone better??).....etc etc....

Was gonna go to practice on sat, but now have another engagement I gotta go to....kinda bummed Ill miss it....oh well

You going to practice tomorrow?

Honestly, they were terrible. Seymour - Painter - Barton picked up right were they left off last season.....(getting beat).....Bowie wasn't good either.....(Ima give Cam a pass, even though he had a rough game, simply because hes had barely any reps at OT)

So....#1) praying to avoid injury on the OL.....#2) Hoping they dont carry too many of these 2nd tier OL guys(if any) in lieu of some better skilled players at other spots.....

According to Thomas, he has torn his MCL 3 times and suffered 2 high ankle sprains(the worst kind)....yet, he plays on....

One of the main reasons why Thomas was so confident it wasn’t serious? He’s had serious knee issues before, most of which he’s discretely played through during his eight-years-and-counting run as the Browns’ cornerstone left tackle.

Thomas said he’s torn his MCL three times and suffered two high ankle sprains over the past eight seasons.

How’s he done it?

“You suck it up. You’re a lineman,” Thomas said. “The great part about being a lineman is you need to be quick and fast, but you don’t need to be that quick and fast. If you lose a little bit because you’re hurting, you can make it up with technique.”

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-OT-Joe-Thomas-walks-away-from-injury-scare-with-humor-intact-/ec8f8144-6c4c-4c83-b17b-8f37eb085af3

Wow....I now have even more admiration for his legacy(if thats possible)......

@gftchris said:

Well, he is a deity: "May The Schwartz be with you".

@canton-dawg said:

JT must have an OL coaching job for life in cleveland - heck, he's probably already doing the job. Being his position coach must be like being Peyton's OC.

@mudfly said:

I've heard "The Schwartz" on a couple of interviews last year, and you're right the dude is cerebral.

You gotta think that after his playing days are over, a coaching spot could be in his future.

As for which has more to learn....yeah that's OL too.

@calfoxwc said:

Doesn't an offensive lineman have a lot more to learn than a defensive lineman?

I don't get the idea that Irving isn't a big a talent as Shelton just because he hasn't stepped

in and locked up a starting postion on the oline. Maybe it's just me.....

In a sense you could say oline requires a bit more situatonal awareness and quick thinking. However on the flip side you have to be just as quick as well.

Ultimately I'd yield to Oline as being the more cerebral group of the two.

http://www.stationcaster.com/player_skinned.php?s=70&c=476&f=4699363

@gftchris said:

Thanks for that.....The Oracle....ha!

The Oracle (Mitchell Schwartz)

“We call him the Oracle because he’s so smart, he knows everything,” said Joe Thomas.

“He knows all and sees all,” said John Greco. “He’s the ever-knowing being. And our big thing is he’s never wrong. But even if he is, he convinces you that you’re wrong and he’s right.”

Schwartz accepts the nickname as a badge of honor.

“It’s a cool nickname,” Schwartz said. “I don’t like being wrong. In this job, you can be out of a job just as easily for mental errors as you can for physical ones. I always try to be on top of everything.

“I do have a good memory for specific plays a year or two ago, or like a scheme we did last year against a certain team. I just have a good memory for that stuff.”

@gftchris said:

could be....I always hear how smart our O line guys are, though wasnt aware it was Schwartz.....

Ive only heard him a few times commenting after games, as its rare that he speaks(usually Thomas or Mack)....but he sounds like a freaking brain surgeon...ha!

I don't get the idea that Irving isn't a big a talent as Shelton just because he hasn't stepped

in and locked up a starting postion on the oline. Maybe it's just me.....

Very impressive to hear him speak.....sounds like he really has a grip on the game and his role with the team......and a great sense of humor about being the worst guy on the best line.....wish I had a link to post, cause it was a great interview....

Andrew Gribble @Andrew_Gribble

Joe Thomas not in pads today but he's in good spirits and stretching with the team.

Cam is getting his 1st team reps. Bowie to go with the 2's.

Day 5 from http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2015/8/4/9096469/cleveland-browns-training-camp-report-day-5

4. A Peek at the Offensive Line:

If things have been going hot for NT Danny Shelton, they haven't been so hot for the team's other first-round pick, OL Cameron Erving. The Browns continue using Erving at right guard with the second-team offense. He isn't struggling in camp by any means, but his primary competition right now is RG John Greco, and there haven't been any signs of a change coming with the first-team offensive line. My projection right now is that Erving starts the season as a backup, but would be the first player to enter the game is an injury should occur.

Here is what offensive line coach Andy Moeller said about Greco after practice:

"Last year, John did a great job for us. John really exceeded my expectations a year ago. He has played well this fall. He is a competitive guy. He is a veteran. He knows how to play. He is smart. John is obviously an important guy, and I like the way he has played so far."

Moeller also talked about OL Michael Bowie, who has lost 40 pounds since February. Moeller praised his effort to get in shape, but also noted that he needs to be more consistent. The language Moeller used didn't seem to indicate that Bowie is any form of a threat to Mitchell Schwartz' starting job this camp.