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jc -

OL is going to be less of an issue now that we have a QB.

It's amazing how a good QB makes the OL better.

j/c:



And Tretter has been playing with a high ankle sprain.

#NoRealPlayers

Cleveland Browns: The Browns' offensive line has really played well together of late and put together another top-notch effort against the Carolina Panthers. Aiding an offense that amassed 348 yards (232 passing, 116 rushing), the O-line wasn't credited with a sack or quarterback hit in the win. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield deserves some credit, too, for buying time in the pocket to help his line secure blocks. Left guard Joel Bitonio, who was PFF's highest-graded guard of the week, and center JC Tretter didn't give up a pressure, while right tackle Chris Hubbard allowed one pressure on 31 pass plays.

Link

I still can't get over the stat of our QB pressures since week 9 .. just amazing

How Baker Mayfield has helped Browns reduce sacks, increase production

By Nate Ulrich
Posted Dec 12, 2018 at 7:14 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2018 at 7:35 PM

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181212/how...impression=true

Chris Hubbard blanked J.J. Watt, looking to do same against Denver’s dynamic duo

https://www.brownszone.com/2018/12/12/ch...rs-dynamic-duo/

BEREA — Chris Hubbard changed technique, and it saved his season.

The Browns have allowed one sack over the last four games, and Hubbard’s improved play at right tackle has been a critical piece. He held Texans superstar J.J. Watt without a sack two weeks ago and faces another huge challenge Saturday night against Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, Denver’s dynamic duo of edge rushers.

“Hub’s really turned it on,” center JC Tretter said. “Hub’s played really well these last few weeks. You look at that Texans game, he probably did the best job of any tackle on J.J. this season, so he’s played really well and really settled in and it’s been a big part of us as a team settling in, too.”

Hubbard had never been a Week 1 or full-time starter until this year. After four years with the Steelers, including 14 starts in his final two seasons, he hit free agency and signed a five-year, $36.5 million contract with the Browns, including $15 million guaranteed.

The start to his time in Cleveland wasn’t what he envisioned. The Browns allowed 31 sacks in the first seven games — compared to only three since Freddie Kitchens took over as coordinator five games ago — and Hubbard wasn’t getting it done.

He adjusted his pass set, taking a much shorter step back off the line. He studied other right tackles and was quick to get comfortable with the significant change. Offensive quality control coach Brian Braswell supervised.

“He said he’s seen a big jump from me,” Hubbard said Thursday.

Hubbard’s noticed the greatest improvement in balance and power, areas critical for a lineman.

“At first I was getting a lot of bull rushing going on, now I’m stopping the bull rush and it’s helping me out a lot,” he said. “The way I switched up my stance and then the way I attack people now is different.”

Hubbard, 27, expects to see a lot of Miller and Chubb in Denver. The outside linebackers in the Broncos’ 3-4 alignment switch sides throughout the game, bringing different challenges to the tackles. Miller has 13.5 sacks and Chubb 12 in his rookie season.

“Bradley Chubb, he comes off. He has a really good bull rush, and he can lull you to sleep as well with his pass-rush moves,” Hubbard said. “Von Miller, he’s a crafty guy. He’s one of those guys that you can’t go to sleep on. He’s one of those guys that plays the game at a high level, and he’s quick. He comes off the ball pretty fast, and he reacts off of what you do. So you’ve got to be careful with what you do as far as blocking him.”

Miller has added variety to his repertoire but is best known for his speed at the snap and around the edge. Hubbard would seem vulnerable to that with a more shallow drop but said he’s still able to deal with the outside rush.

“So if he speed rushes, I’m going to run with him like it’s a run block,” he said. “Instead of opening up (his hips), I’m running him by, try to create more space in the pocket.”

The technique is working. Mayfield went three straight games without being sacked before the Panthers got one Sunday on a blitz by the slot cornerback.

Mayfield’s been especially effective stepping up in the lanes between the guards and tackles, as the tackles are directing the rushers wide.

“He’s done a great job of doing that, keeping the ball, staying clean and making the proper adjustments,” Hubbard said of Mayfield. “And that’s what you see in a lot of top quarterbacks in the league. And he’s doing a great job doing that.”

Miller, a six-time Pro Bowler, has 97 sacks since being the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft. He’s one away from setting the Broncos’ career record, and ranks second in the NFL with 13.5 this year.

Interim coach Gregg Williams said Miller does a great job anticipating the snap, which makes life miserable for a tackle, especially on the road using a silent count.

“He uses that to his advantage because a lot of guys panic as far as getting back,” Hubbard said. “My goal is to get back quick and then once I get back quick just react off what he does.

“That crowd is always loud and the stadium is always rocking. So he has that advantage, but my advantage is to get off the ball fast.”

Miller was impressed when told the Browns held Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and the Texans without a sack.

“We have to pay attention to that,” he said on a conference call. “If the Browns did a good job on those guys, they can do a good job on anybody.”

Hubbard gained confidence by holding Watt in check but said he can’t use the same game plan because Miller and Chubb are different types of rushers.

“These guys that we’re facing are fast, man,” he said.

Hubbard and left tackle Greg Robinson will get help from the tight ends and running backs, but Hubbard said he approaches each snap like he must win one-on-one. He doesn’t shy away from the task many consider daunting.

“I look at it as other great guys to go against and another great opportunity for us to showcase and play very well at a high level,” he said.

And for Hubbard to show off his new technique.

I've noticed Hubbard playing better the past couple of weeks compared to the first 10 or so games.

and, 4life, there have been some pretty good pass rushers and our oline has pretty much kept Baker clean. If our guys do the same thing this w/e all this talk about needing to replace our two tackles needs to stop. our oline is pretty solid.

yeah, this week is a big test. I'm hoping we keep holding up

I found this article on Greg Robinson. Jake Burns uses cut ups to show what Robinson is doing right, and where he needs to improve.

thanks W8 ... Jake Burns is a good follow

This assessment doesn't agree with Burn's. His quickness is good, according to Burns, it's technique that is at the root of his problems. He didn't say, but intimated, that GR may not have to smarts to 'get' the changes he needs to make.

I was listening to Joe Thomas on the radio Monday morning coming home from Cleveland. He essentially said that Robinson is a beast physically and that his issue is with technique. He raved about Robinson's physical abilities.

Thomas was a great player but I find most of what he says to be complete garbage. The guy has said some of the dumbest things ever with the consistency of being wrong time and time again. Maybe the Manziel comments were on point, but everything else....nope. I guess his comments on tackle hold merit because he has played there, but I'm pretty sure he said stupid stuff about other tackles too.

Joe reminds me a lot of my good friend tabber ... everythng is viewed through the rosiest of rose colored glasses .... sometimes the glasses are so rosey that reality is completely out of site ... *LOL* ...

Joe should be in the browns PR department ...

Or start a show with Colin Cowherd and Stephen A Smith.

I know JT auditioned for MNF and they chose Witten instead ... I wonder if ESPN is regretting that one

I'm guessing ESPN regrets a lot of things.

not if he wants me to watch ... they may be the two BIGGEST BLOWHARDS ever ... and i haven’t watched espn in close to two decades now ..

100% BLOWHARDS ... there SHOCK JOCKS and no more IMO ...

Thanks for posting, W8. He clearly struggles with getting beat on the inside. That is a technique issue. He also seems to have a rededication of purpose, so maybe if he continues to work hard he can improve. I wish Joe would spend some time with him this off season. Joe may be the eternal optimist (why shouldn't he be? He had a hall of fame career on the worst team in the league, has a great family, is set for life, and has a great second career), but he is definitely one of the best technicians to have played the position. He could help him immensely. Wish he'd come coach for us.

It appears you think what Dorsey says is complete garbage too. So we'll take that with a grain of salt.

I'll add here some more of Joe's comments from the radio show last Monday:

Joe was asked if he works with the OL when available. He said he does and will but doesn't want to be 'that old guy who used to be a player trying to tell others what to do'.

He has a relationship with many OL including Robinson and said he will sometimes text Robinson after a game and point out a few things with technique. But he won't force himself on anyone.

Joe also said that at this time in his life with his children, he doesn't see himself taking on a full-time coaching gig as the time requirement is too great. He DID say maybe later in life he would seriously consider it.

j/c

I just wanted to add the closing line of every ThomaHawk podcast; Joe Hawk yourself.

Is that Andy Reid?

j/c:



#NoRealPlayers

#NoRealPlayers

Wah...

That is the living legend, Maserati driving, mountain of an OL Coach ....... none other than Bob Wiley himself.

Are those guys horny?

We have rapped about line play for a long time. I still maintain that having a great up the middle line is more important than have great edge protection.

If you can give your QB a few feet to move up, the edge angles are ruined. If you allow a bum rush up the middle, it goes to crap in a hurry.

I think this has the most important impact on why the sacks and hits are way down, because even if the tackles get beat, Baker is able to slide up and around away from the edge rushers.. Thats huge. I'm still curious if John still looks for upgrade at the tackles. I think our guards at center are top notch in the pass game, could use more push in run game but overall nothing but good things. Esp when you consider tretter been playing hurt most of the season. Trying to hold back and drive 300+lb DT's on one legs is impressive

Pressure up the middle is extremely disruptive, no doubt.

Most of the pressure in the league comes from the edges though. There are just more talented edge rushers than interior rushers, and the edge rushers are usually harder for linemen to contain because there's more space to work in.

Good points.

I think LT will be addressed with a big acquisition. I'm guessing Hubbard will get another year at RT, both because of his improved play and contractual status. We might draft a developmental tackle this year though, somebody who can fill in for either tackle spot and then take over at RT, if it's eventually needed.

The specifics might turn out differently but the question of, if John still looks for upgrades at the tackles, is a decisive yes. JMHO of course.