Right tackle Chris Hubbard could fit better in the Kevin Stefanski offensive line scheme than he did in the last one. (David Richard/AP)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Fifth in a series.
The blueprint of the Browns’ player transaction season will be written after a thorough evaluation of the roster that coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry inherit from their predecessors.
Stefanski and his coaching staff, and Berry and all the scouts, must have a clear understanding of their own players before they head to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis beginning Feb. 23.
We’re previewing each Browns position group to set up yet another important offseason for the franchise with the longest playoff drought in the NFL.
(Salary information courtesy of overthecap.com)
Offensive line
Position coach: Bill Callahan, 63.
Recognized as one of the top three offensive line coaches in the NFL, he’s been a position coach with four previous NFL teams, has been an offensive coordinator with two teams, a head coach or interim coach with two teams, and a head coach at Nebraska. Callahan unofficially serves as a senior offensive assistant to head coach Kevin Stefanski. He should be a “tremendous” resource for Stefanski, according to Gary Kubiak, who was Stefanski’s senior offensive assistant last season with the Minnesota Vikings. “Bill has tremendous respect whenever he walks in a room. So that will help Kevin,” Kubiak said.
Players under contract (with projected 2020 salary cap figures in millions)
Joel Bitonio ($9.0), Drew Forbes ($.585), Colby Gossett ($.585), Chris Hubbard ($7.268), Eric Kush ($2.425), Kendall Lamm ($2.65), Wyatt Teller ($.660), JC Tretter ($9.975).
Players with expiring contracts
Justin McCray, Greg Robinson.
Overview
Robinson started 22 games at left tackle the past two seasons and is not expected to return. Hubbard, who started 29 games at right tackle the past two seasons, is an interesting case. A John Dorsey signing, Hubbard is out of guarantees and has the 12th-highest salary cap number on the roster. But the truth is Hubbard actually may be a good athletic fit for the zone-blocking scheme being deployed by Callahan and Stefanski. The interior starters of Bitonio, Tretter and Teller appear to be safe.
What’s needed
If the Browns determine two starting tackles have to be acquired, one has to be a veteran because two rookie starting tackles would be a risk not worth taking. The switch to the zone-blocking scheme requires athleticism and mobility over straight-ahead power and strength. Along with the starting tackles, most of the backup positions are up for grabs.
(Next: Wide receiver).
Part 1: Defensive line
Part 2: Linebacker
Part 3: Defensive secondary
Part 4: Running back