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Training camp thoughts

In no particular order . . .

At the risk of sounding repetitious, the Browns’ offensive line holds the key to the success and/or failure of that side of the football this season.

Of the five men whose performance will make or break the skill players, only two – left guard Joel Bitonio and center JC Tretter – can be counted on as solid to the point where you really don’t have to worry about them.

On the other hand, tackles Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard, both overrated, appear to be solidly plugged in at their positions. More on them later.

The new right guard, who will replace the departed Kevin Zeitler, has not been identified after five days of practice in Berea. Austin Corbett, Kyle Kalis and Eric Kush have rotated, by design, at the position.

It’s almost as though they are auditioning for new offensive line coach James Campen, a rather odd move that causes one to think that uncertainty is leading the parade at this juncture.

Corbett was a questionable selection by Browns General Manager John Dorsey at the top of round two in the 2018 college draft. He was so good, he languished on the bench for just about the entire season.

With the likes of James Daniels, Will Hernandez and Connor Williams still on the board, Corbett was the choice. Hernandez started all 16 games with the New York Giants last season. Daniels started 10 for Chicago, as did Williams with Dallas.

Corbett by now should be more than ready to step right in and replace Zeitler. The fact he hasn’t is an indictment on Dorsey’s apparent misread on his ability to step up and play at the next level.

He might eventually make that step, play well in exhibition games and win the job. But if the event he doesn’t, it will serve as a stain on Dorsey’s judgment with regard to offensive linemen.

As for Robinson and Hubbard, don’t for a minute think last season’s performance is a harbinger of what lies ahead this season. Yes, the offensive line permitted only five sacks of quarterback Baker Mayfield in the final eight games and they were key factors in that stat. Both are mediocre (being kind here) at pass protection.

The Browns last season led the NFL in offensive holding penalties with 42, a number that needs to be drastically reduced this season to keep Mayfield vertical. A dozen were declined.

The lumbering Robinson, who is routinely beaten by quicker defensive ends, holds on numerous pass plays (he was flagged six times), but is adept at disguising them. The former No 2 overall draft choice could be pushed by sixth-round pick Drew Forbes and veteran Kendall Lamm.

The fact Mayfield stepped up and praised Robinson’s work, added to the fact there was no one else good enough to replace him, no doubt led to his ability to hold onto the job last season.

Hubbard, on the other hand, is not as strong at the point of attack or pass pro on the strong side of the formation. Once the exhibitions begin and weaknesses start to become apparent, Dorsey might move to correct that and procure a veteran offensive tackle (with Washington holdout Trent Williams an outside possibility).

And with the NFL announcing it will crack down on offensive holding this season, including the so-called lobster block by offensive linemen (grabbing the torso or shoulders of defenders from behind to prevent progress from the backside), Robinson and Hubbard are that much more vulnerable.

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Mayfield’s normal pinpoint passing accuracy has been off somewhat thus far and has caused some concern. Not sure why. It’s way, way, way too early to make judgments like that.

Success in the passing game is dependent mostly on timing between the

quarterbacks and their receivers. They don’t just show up at training camp and voila, it’s just like last season. Doesn’t work that way.

Mayfield became a much better thrower last season in the final eight games as he and his receivers reconciled on the same page. It enabled him to set a rookie record for most scoring passes,

He’s too good and confident to let something like this bother him. It might not even show up in the games that don’t count, but that unerring accuracy will return when the games become more meaningful. Now if this was week four, that would be a legitimate concern.

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When the Arizona Cardinals released defensive end Robert Nkemdiche the other day, some Browns fans wondered if he would look good in a Browns uniform. After watching him for a few years here in Arizona, the correct answer is a resounding no.

The Cardinals’ top pick in the 2016 draft is an underachiever who has trouble staying healthy.. And when he is healthy, he does not produce. The Browns don’t need someone like that.

Besides, Cleveland defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and linebackers coach Al Holcomb, Nkemdiche’s head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, with the Cardinals last season, know all about him and probably took a hard pass.

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Sione Takitaki became a different player when the Browns donned the pads for three straight practices, catching the attention of the coaches. The question is which of the linebacker positions is the rambunctious rookie best suited for?

He is listed third behind middle linebackers Joe Schobert and Adarius Taylor, who is also the lone listing at strong side linebacker on the initial depth chart revealed by the team Tuesday.

Takitaki always seems to be around the football and is fearless when it comes to sticking his nose and other body parts into the fray. There is no question he will make the final 53, but I wonder whether he has the discipline to play such a demanding position.

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Finally . . . Other young players catching the coaches’ eyes: Wide receivers Blake Jackson and Derrick Willies, running back Dontrell Hilliard and cornerbacks Greedy Williams, Lenzy Pipkins and Donnie Lewis Jr. . . . Chad Thomas, last season’s second-biggest disappointing rookie behind Corbett, finds himself listed behind Myles Garrett and Anthony Zettel at right defensive end. . . . Incumbent Greg Joseph appears to be winning the placekicking battle, at least in camp. He hasn’t missed a field goal yet, while fifth-round pick Austin Seibert is kicking at a .500 clip. The four exhibitions will determine the winner of that battle. . . . The Browns also seem to like the left leg of rookie punter/placekicker Jamie Gillan, a former rugby player, but it appears the Scottish Hammer needs to become skilled at holding for whoever wins the kicking job to be in a position to oust veteran punter Britton Colquitt.