Worry about the offense

As usual at this stage of the National Football League season, there are always many more questions than answers regarding the future whether immediate or far-reaching. Time to place the Browns under the inquisitive microscope.

The following questions will receive answers based more on expectancy than what will actually eventuate. A large part of this exercise will deal with the offensive side of the football. That's because the solid defense, scrutinized the last time, required just a handful of questions.

Let us start with the obvious strengths. Like the running game and new quarterback. That's it. No offensive line. No receivers or tight ends. All of which begs the first question.

Q: Why not the offensive line? Isn't it supposed to be one of the best in the NFL?

A: That's what the experts say. Maybe a year or two ago, but not this season. There are two weaknesses and a huge question mark along that unit. Outside of guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, trouble lurks at the tackles and center.

Jedrick Wills Jr. is not playing like a high first-round draft pick at left tackle. Hasn't for his first two seasons. Last season, he couldn't stay healthy. He needs to get stronger in pass protection. He's a turnstile to the quarterback.

Jack Conklin at right tackle is clearly a more superior player. But he's coming off major surgery and might not be ready for the season opener in Carolina. Until he is ready, that's a minus because no one on the bench even approaches Conklin's talent.

The Browns are gambling on the most important position on the line -- center. The anchor. He does a lot more than snap the football. He's responsible for calling the blocking schemes depending on the defensive alignment. And be ready to make quick adjustments if the quarterback calls an audible.

In other words, it takes more than brawn to play the position, It takes brains and the Browns had one of the best in the NFL in JC Tretter, who missed only one game (COVID-10) in his five years with the Browns before they released him for penurious reasons in mid-March. 

Filling Tretter's big shoes is Nick Harris, a smallish third-year man with precious little playing time in the league. The barely six-footer played a couple of games at right guard as a rookie and failed miserably. He fared slightly better subbing for Tretter in a game last season. Trimming Tretter was a big mistake.

The success or failure of an offensive line depends largely on everyone being on the same page from a timing and execution standpoint. In other words, cohesion. All it takes is one slip-up to blow up a play. Right now, I see at least two weak links. That's two too many.

Q: How is that going to impact guys like Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and D'Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton off the bench?

A: First of all, I see one of this group (not Chubb) being traded close to the start of the season. It's an embarrassment of riches at running back and with the drafting of Jerome Ford of Cincinnati, someone's gotta go. 

Hunt, who should be starting elsewhere instead of backing up Chubb, probably fetches more in return. Johnson's star-turn season last year earned him more than just a look-see for clubs seeking workhorse running backs.

As for how this group will perform, look for less running, especially when Deshaun Watson returns from his suspension. Watson is not a game manager. The game revolves around him. Chubb and whoever backs him up will see fewer carries.

Q: Now that the passing game has been brought up, how jazzed should fans be for the club's wide receivers and tight ends?

A: Don't know about the fans, but this group does not excite me. Too many question marks with one notable exception. Amari Cooper is clearly the No. 1 wideout. And that's it. The cupboard is bare after that. 

Right now, it looks as though the disappointing Donovan Peoples-Jones and rookie David Bell will battle it out for WR2. After that, you'll find the unreliable and oft-injured Anthony Schwartz, who boasts world-class speed, along with Ja'Marcus Bradley, rookie Michael Woods II and lanky free agent Isaiah Weston.

Outside of Cooper, who will probably draw double coverage most of the season, and Bell, it's hard to understand why General Manager Andrew Berry pronounces himself satisfied. Watson, who had several reliable receivers with Houston, will be severely challenged upon his return unless changes are made.

Q: And what about the tight ends? Only two this year in the new Kevin Stefanski offense -- David Njoku and Harrison Bryant.

A: Still trying to figure out why Berry signed Njoku to a four-year contract worth nearly $57 million a couple of months ago.The former first-round pick has operated a notch or two below mediocre for five seasons. But if you follow the notion a player should be paid handsomely for the future regardless of the past, then it makes perfect sense.

It says here, though, Bryant is the better receiver. Better hands, has little trouble being available for his quarterback, runs well after the catch, works hard at blocking. Only one problem: His head coach/playcaller rarely calls his number. Only 66 times in two seasons, including a measly 28 in 16 games last season.

The forgotten tight end catches 68% of the balls thrown his way, including six touchdowns. Njoku has caught just 62% of his targets. Taking into account again that Watson's offense will heavily feature the forward pass, it's reasonable to assume both tight ends will be busier this season.

Q: So what should be expected of Jacoby Brissett, who will keep the starting quarterback's seat warm while he sits out his suspension?

A: A lesser game-manager version of Baker Mayfield. He doesn't have the tools to throw the ball like the former Browns quarterback. But he is smarter from the neck up and will not be a turnover machine. Until Watson returns, Stefanski will button it down on offense and rely on the defense to duplicate its strong finish last season.

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