The Cleveland Browns had one of the worst offensive lines in the league in 2016. As a result, the quarterbacks did not benefit. Cleveland put up a downright maddening -40 sack differential last year. Due to their abysmal 26 sacks (31st in the league, second only to Oakland), the Browns front seven did not help the sack differential either. However, that is another story for another day. Class is in session again today, and we will be looking at the Cleveland Browns offensive line. Where were the bright spots? Who was the worst of the bunch? Did Cameron Erving get any better in 2016? Let’s take a look.
Cleveland Browns 2016 Season Grades: Offensive Line
Joe Thomas: A+
Joe Thomas is going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. To this day, he still has not missed a single snap in his entire career. Thomas has played 9,791 straight snaps in his career without missing a single one. He has been an ironman for the Browns during his ten-year career.
As a player, Thomas fits the bill perfectly of an offensive tackle. At 6’6″ and 312 pounds, he can still be light on his feet. Although he is a veteran among lineman, Thomas still looks young. He can finesse with the best of them, and overpower his defender. Though he might be getting old, Joe Thomas is still one of the best offensive tackles in the league.
John Greco: B
John Greco is…interesting. He has his good days, but he has equally bad days to go with it. Despite what the coaching staff might think, Greco could be Cleveland’s best option at center. Since the departure of Alex Mack from the Browns, their center position has been sorely lacking.
Greco’s main problem is that he keeps getting injured. The injury bug always seems to bite him at the worst possible times, which is a major hit to Cleveland’s offensive line. Perhaps if Greco could stay fully healthy for an extended period of time, their line might improve with time.
Cameron Erving: F
Cameron Erving is an absolutely awful football player. And his review could end right there, but there are many reasons to explain why Erving is awful.
Highly touted coming out of Florida State University, scouts billed Erving as a terrific offensive line renaissance man. Contrary to the belief of scouts, Erving has been anything but terrific. He was supposed to be a force at every position. Much to the chagrin of Browns management, he has been a force at no position whatsoever. Either something needs to change with Erving, or he needs to go.
Alvin Bailey: D+
Alvin Bailey gets a D+. No matter how competent an offensive lineman Bailey might be, his suspension really hurts his grade. Don’t drive drunk, kids.
Austin Pasztor: C
Austin Pasztor started this season at right tackle and was mind-numbingly bad. His 2016 campaign was going horribly until he moved to right guard. As a guard, his performance did shine through on the offensive line.
Pasztor gets a grade of C because he salvaged his grade during his stint at guard. Perhaps Pasztor can continue to improve if he stays there. It seems only time will tell.
Composite Grade: C-
As a whole, the offensive line for the Cleveland Browns was pretty dismal in 2016. It did not do much to help an often anemic offense, which kept the inept defense on the field. If the Browns can bolster the line through the draft and free agency, 2017 might be a different story.
A good offense runs through a good offensive line. These Cleveland Browns are no different. Beef up your line, Hue Jackson. Until then, the Browns offensive line gets a composite grade of C-.
