Position Breakdown: O-Line

Current Roster Makeup:

Capizzi, Jason OL 6-9 330, Fraley, Hank OL 6-3 310, Hadnot, Rex OL 6-2 320, Kooistra, Scott OL 6-6 335, Mack, Alex OL 6-4 311, Murray, Pat OL 6-3 310, St. Clair, John OL 6-6 320, Steinbach, Eric OL 6-6 295, Thomas, Joe OL 6-6 312, Tucker, Ryan OL 6-6 315, Womack, Floyd OL 6-4 328, Yates, Billy OL 6-2 305

Breakdown:

Left Tackle Joe Thomas proved once again that he is one of the best tackles the game, earning his 3^rd trip to Hawaii South Florida in 3 years and was given the even greater honor of being named All-Pro. Rookie Alex Mack started every game at Center and more than held his own. The difference from Week 1 to Week 17 was night and day. Mack gets excellent push at the point of attack, drives defenders back, and has the ability to get to the second level. Mack also showed the ability to pull, opening big running lanes for Jerome Harrison, Chris Jennings and Josh Cribbs. Jamal Lewis loved the rookie so much he preferred running into his backside and falling down. Outside of the stellar play of the two former 1^st Round picks, the play of the supporting cast was average at best (I’m being kind this morning).

Although the line play improved in the latter part of the season, allowing Jerome Harrison to rush for 561 yards and average 5.29 yards a carry over the last three games, the line play as a whole, well, sucked. The Porkchop-St. Clair combo on the right side to start the year was ineffective (again, I’m being kind). Hank Fraley played relatively well when he stepped in for Womack. Rex Hadnot missed the majority of the year with a knee.

While the right side of the line was undoubtedly the weak side (the left side, well, you remember: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHPO4pKOZO4), perhaps most disappointing has been the steady decline of high-priced free agent, Eric Steinbach. Steinbach played at a Pro Bowl level in 2007 when the Browns went 10-6. The website, Pro Football Focus, which compiles stats and grades players would have you believe he is the worst guard in the NFL (http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=G&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1). Whether you agree with their assessment or not, he has certainly not played to the level he did in 2007. We'll give him a pass in 2008 as he was battling some nagging injuries. Head Coach Eric Mangini came in this past offseason wanting to employ a power run scheme similar to what he was able to run with Alan Faneca and the Jets. Mangini made Steinbach gain weight in training camp, but Steinbach never seemed comfortable carrying the extra pounds. Perhaps the quick fix here is to put him on Nutrisystem and he’ll get right back in the game! Another interesting thought is that, being more of a finesse player, he may carry more value as a Left Tackle. We’ll see if anything transpires there but we expect Steinbach to be back on the roster in 2010.

Free Agency Outlook:

Jahri Evans and Logan Mankins are the cream of the crop but I would be surprised to see them hit the open market come March 1^st, especially without a new CBA in place. The odds of landing a real difference maker in Free Agency are slim to none.

Draft Prospects:

We fully expect the Browns to address the O-Line in the draft and probably earlier rather than later. My guess is that they either take a tackle or guard with one of their first four picks (probably with one of the two 3rd rounders). Hopefully they pick someone who can step in immediately and solidify the right side of the line. As we start to really study for the draft we will note the potential fits for the Browns. Stay tuned.