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#35: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada

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Strikes me more as a road grater than pass blocker. His poor footwork could be a death knell. The guy looks more like a power lifter than an offensive lineman. I think he'll get blown by quite a bit, not quick, but matched up on 300 pound lineman he'll win the pushing match. If he doesn't win the starting job the Hyde backers will be out in force.
 
oasis05 said:
Strikes me more as a road grater than pass blocker. His poor footwork could be a death knell. The guy looks more like a power lifter than an offensive lineman. I think he'll get blown by quite a bit, not quick, but matched up on 300 pound lineman he'll win the pushing match. If he doesn't win the starting job the Hyde backers will be out in force.
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Not after Terrance West out plays Hyde over the next 2-3 years.
 
oasis05 said:
Strikes me more as a road grater than pass blocker. His poor footwork could be a death knell. The guy looks more like a power lifter than an offensive lineman. I think he'll get blown by quite a bit, not quick, but matched up on 300 pound lineman he'll win the pushing match. If he doesn't win the starting job the Hyde backers will be out in force.
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Bitonio is an excellent player; he can iron out links in his game. Beating out Pinkston and Mcquastian or whatever the fuck that guy's name won't be particularly difficult.
 
Since Schwartz moves like a sloth in quicksand, an athletic right guard is a necessity. Still love the pick, and I'll still love the pick when our wide receivers are the biggest weakness on the roster.
 
Fragel is 6'8. Won't be surprised if he beats out Schwartz. I'd like to replace the whole right side of the line. Schwartz is too slow for technique to over come. Bitonio isn't running around cones for a living, so he's got to be more mindful of his footwork to take advantage of his quickness he shows off the snap that often disappears with a wrong step, and a right one from the defender.

I really like Fragel's size, and athletic package. He looks like a prime time tackle, but hasn't played the position for long. When he gets it, i think he's going to be our right tackle for a long time. I think Schwartz is just holding the fort for now.

I'll expect the line to go

LT Thomas
LG Bitonio
C Mack
RG Mcquistan
RT Fragel

With the need for more athletic lineman I don't think Greco or Schwarz really make the cut.
 
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McQuiastan is awful. We have a problem if he becomes a starter.
 
MGMT said:
McQuiastan is awful. We have a problem if he becomes a starter.
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IMO, he's not going to start... I expect the starting line to be something like this:

LT: Joe Thomas
LG: John Greco
C: Alex Mack
RG: Joel Bitonio
RT: Mitch Schwartz

Now, you're going to need to find a few dependable back-ups there... Bitonio & Greco are going to serve as utility linemen; they'll move if injuries dictate a necessity. I see Chris Faulk having a real chance to stick, as well as McQuiastan and, of course, Pinkston. Pinkston needs to bust his ass to supplant one of the starters and I just don't see it happening. He actually could be cut, but I'm not going to predict that. Also, there's Gilkey, who's worth a look, IMO.

So, my 9 linemen would be: 1) Joe Thomas; 2) Alex Mack; 3) Joel Bitonio; 4) Mitch Schwartz; 5) John Greco; 6) Garrett Gilkey; 7) Chris Faulk (Or Reid Fragel); 8) Jason Pinkston and; 9) Paul McQuiastan
 
Fragel is 6'8.

Oh...well...he should definitely start then.
 
Greco is the back up center. I don't think he'll start. He's a very important utility. Schwartz still has something to prove IMO. I don't think the line is set. They are going to compete.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>News: Browns have agreed to terms with rookie OL Joel Bitonio</p>&mdash; Cleveland Browns (@Browns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Browns/statuses/480779769315733504">June 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
oasis05 said:
Greco is the back up center. I don't think he'll start. He's a very important utility. Schwartz still has something to prove IMO. I don't think the line is set. They are going to compete.
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Greco is a starter because he's one of the 5 best lineman on the team. They aren't going save him because he's a good utility guy or backup C. He's better than Pinkston or McQ. Gilkey could challenge him but he's pretty raw still and may need another year to develop.

Thomas & Mack are locks to start. I think Bitonio is a near lock to start. Greco is also a near lock. The question is will Schwartz start and if he doesn't, does Bitonio move to RT and Gilkey take a G position or does Bitonio stay at guard and Faulk get his shot at T?
 
^ Thanked because Greco is just a solid player and I think the chain of events that put him on the field makes people discount his ability.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It's truly official for <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelBitonio">@JoelBitonio</a>. <a href="http://t.co/ynmY6uXzm7">pic.twitter.com/ynmY6uXzm7</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Browns (@Browns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Browns/statuses/481071704932765701">June 23, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I don't see a reason why Justin Gilbert would ever hold-out. Plenty of time to get him in the fold.
 
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