Ultimate Fantasy Football Strategy - Offensive Line Analysis

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Cleveland Browns

2008 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Joe Thomas
Left Guard: Eric Steinbach
Center: Hank Fraley
Right Guard: Ryan Tucker
Right Tackle: Kevin Shaffer

2007 Injuries:
RG Seth McKinney: Weeks 10 to 17
C LeCharles Bentley: All season

2007 Statistics:

LEFT END		LEFT TACKLE		MID/GUARD		RIGHT TACKLE		RIGHT END		Passing
ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	Sacks	Rank
5.97	1	5.14	3	4.35	8	4.73	3	5.07	2	19	3

ALY (Adjusted Line Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per carry developed by Football Outsiders that takes into account various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent.
� [2007] Football Outsiders, Inc. All rights reserved.

Overview:
The Cleveland Browns offensive line had been one of the main weaknesses of the team for many years until 2007. The turnaround began in the 2006 off-season with the signing of current starting RT Kevin Shaffer and the acquisition of C Hank Fraley from the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the two main pieces arrived in 2007 when the Browns signed all-star LG Eric Steinbach, who had spent the previous five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, and drafted LT Joe Thomas from Wisconsin with the third overall pick. Another important change was the hiring of offensive line coach Steve Marshall who had spent the previous season in Alabama after spending four years in the Houston Texans organization. The new Browns line allowed Jamal Lewis to run for 1,300 yards, his highest total since 2003 when he became only the fifth running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.

At left tackle, the Browns are in excellent shape for years to come with 2007 draft pick Joe Thomas who was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and will only improve as he continues to gain NFL experience. Thomas is an extremely athletic lineman which makes him one of the best pass blockers in the NFL. He is not the most powerful blocker so he still has plenty of room to grow as a run blocker but his athletic abilities allow him to block to the outside for Lewis. Kevin Shaffer was moved to right tackle after a very disappointing season on the left side. Shaffer is a much better run blocker than a pass blocker. He adjusted surprisingly well to the switch to the right side and became an asset for the Browns in 2008.

The Browns are in excellent shape at guard with LG Eric Steinbach and RG Ryan Tucker. Steinbach will be 28 years old when the season begins and is currently in the prime of his career. Steinbach is one of the best run blockers in the NFL and is a strong pass blocker as well. His excellent run blocking abilities combine very well with LT Joe Thomas’s great pass blocking abilities and the two of them make up arguably the strongest left side in the NFL. At right guard, the Browns can count on veteran Ryan Tucker who was a tackle for his entire career before making the switch to guard in 2007. Tucker missed the first four games of the season due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s steroids policy. Because of the suspension, Tucker lost the starting job at both right tackle and right guard but became starter when guard Seth McKinney suffered a season ending injury in week 9. The Browns had a 4.3 yards per carry average both with McKinney at guard in the first half and with Tucker in the second half of the season. This off-season, the Browns added Rex Hadnot from Miami who can play both the guard and center positions. This creates great depth for the Browns at guard with Hadnot joining Seth McKinney who was resigned to a one year deal in the off-season.

Hank Fraley will return as the starting center for the Browns for a third consecutive season. Fraley was named a team captain in 2007 because of his leadership and exemplary work ethic. Fraley is not the most powerful blocker or the quickest but his intensity and awareness make up for his lack of athletic abilities. Fraley will be 31 years old in September and is getting older but still has a few years left in him. Three-time Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley who signed with the team in 2006 has not yet played a game in a Browns uniform due to a severe knee injury suffered in the 2006 training camp. After spending two years recovering from the injury, Bentley is expected to be ready for the 2008 season and if healthy, could compete for a starting position on the line at center or guard.

2008 Outlook:
The Browns offensive line will return its five starters for the 2008 season. Ryan Tucker and Kevin Shaffer will continue improving at their new positions while Joe Thomas can only get better in his second NFL season and Eric Steinbach is currently in his prime. The line was very healthy in 2007 and although there is very good depth at guard, there is very little at tackle. If either Thomas or Shaffer were to be injured, Ryan Tucker would likely switch back to tackle and McKinney or Hadnot would step in at guard. This setup is not ideal since an injury at tackle would require two changes on the line but the Browns still have a lot of depth and should be able to deal with injuries. It is unsure if Bentley will be able to perform at the level he did before 2006 but either way, the line should keep improving in 2008 as it continues to build chemistry. As demonstrated by the average line yards statistics calculated by Football Outsiders, the Cleveland line is one of the best in run blocking but Lewis only averaged 4.4 YPC, well below the calculated ALY. The Browns offensive line is undoubtedly one of the best in the NFL and their play will continue to improve in 2008 but according to those statistics, the Browns running game could be much better if Jamal Lewis stepped up his play.

Updates:
August 4, 2008 - Ryan Tucker suffered a hip injury but it looks like he should be back in time for the season opener and possibly the last exhibition game. LeCharles Bentley won’t be back but the Browns have good depth at guard with Hadnot and McKinney so the injury to Tucker should not be a concern.