Mid-week thoughts

Three items today . . . 

No. 1. Game one in the books and attrition has already struck the strength (and heart and soul) of the offense -- the line. Either resting or on bikes are left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr, (ankle), his backup Chris Hubbard (triceps muscle), right tackle Jack Conklin (knee) and center JC Tretter (knee). Guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller have escaped the injury bug.

It's fairly safe to say Tretter and Conklin will be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Houston Texans in the home opener. Wills, who checked out after only 20 plays in the Kansas City loss is listed as day-day. Ditto Hubbard. 

If neither is ready by Sunday, that's a problem. A big problem. That's Baker Mayfield's blind side. And it needs to be manned by the most trusted man. 

Head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to make a critical decision if Wills and Hubbard are idled. He has at least a couple of options, one of which would solve a problem. The possibilities would require shifting positions,

He could move move Bitonio to left tackle -- he played the position in college -- and insert either Michael Dunn or Blake Hance at left guard. Or he could move Conklin to left tackle -- he was All-Big Ten and All-America at the position for two years at Michigan State before shifting to right tackle in the NFL -- and insert rookie James Hudson III at right tackle.

The problem with the latter move is Hudson, who is not nearly ready to compete at the pro level at such a critical position in an offense that loves to run to the right side of the formation. Putting him at LT is even worse. Judging from his performances in exhibition games, he projects better inside at guard. I'd rather see Hance or Dunn at RT or LT if not Conklin.

The Bitonio move, it says here, makes the most sense. Keeps him on the left side. Slot either Dunn or Hance at left guard, keep Conklin at his normal position and tether Hudson to the bench. He's a long way from being ready to start in the NFL.

It is assumed Stefanski will consult with offensive line coach Bill Callahan before announcing any change, should one be necessary. "We have some plans," he said Wednesday. "We'll make it work. That's certainly something we're up on the whiteboard figuring out who is going to be where."

Then there is always the possibility Wills and/or Hubbard will miraculously recover and be ready to suit up Sunday and make all this speculating turn out to be much ado about nothing. Still, impactful injuries are somewhat alarming so early in the regular season.

No. 2.  Stefanski hauled out his best imitation of Bill Belichick when talking about the Texans the other day. Called Houston quarterback Tyrod Taylor "outstanding." Yes he did. And called the Texans "a real good football team  , , ,  Their quarterback is playing at a very high level. I have been very impressed with him."

Ratcheting up the hyperbole machine is what Belichick does best when discussing the next opponent. Stefanski has caught on fast. What he doesn't say is Taylor is an NFL vagabond, a journeyman who has experienced only modest success (being kind here) when given the opportunity.

Stefanski correctly pointed out that Taylor has taken a team (Buffalo in 2017) to the postseason. Other than that, he has been mostly a backup on several teams in his 10 seasons. The only reason he is starting in Houston is because Deshaun Watson is in the midst of fighting 22 civil lawsuits and unavailable. Otherwise, he'd be in his most familiar position -- the bench.

Taylor, who opened the 2018 season with the Browns as the starter before going down with a concussion in game three, is coming off a 281-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 33-21 season-opening victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and feeling pretty good about himself.  

No. 3. Have read elsewhere along the Internet highway that at least a couple of pundits have labeled Sunday's home opener a "trap game." In other words, the Browns are the better team, but could be lulled into thinking the Texans aren't that good (they aren't) and won't have to work as hard as they did in the season opener in Kansas City and fall to 0-2.

Clearly a reach. First of all, it's hard to believe anyone who thinks that's the case honestly believes it. There is no way, none whatsoever, that will happen. Stefanski has already put a stop to that by constantly reminding his men they will be 0-1 entering the game. Fairly certain he has other motivating tools in his game-prep arsenal to drag out just in case.