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How Browns offensive line play leads to success: Film Review
Published: Aug. 25, 2022, 5:30 a.m.



By Lance Reisland | Special to cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Watching the Browns offensive line practice each day, it’s clear why they are successful.

They are consistent, detailed, and purposeful in every drill they do. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan is a master teacher, and is relentless at getting the most out of each of his players. This past Sunday, against the Eagles, was a great example of the culture the Browns have created in that offensive line room.







In that game, quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back John Kelley Jr. were two players that reaped the benefits of Cleveland’s strong offensive line.

Dobbs was 14 of 20 for 141 yards passing. In two preseason games, the former Tennessee star is 24 of 33 for 249 yards with 56 yards rushing, and a touchdown both passing and rushing. Kelley had 14 carries for 66 yards rushing and added one rushing touchdown.

There are three areas that were particularly impressive from the offensive line:

1. Technique in the run game;

2. Consistent pocket for the quarterback;

3. Ability to get out in front on screen plays.

The Browns implement a diverse run scheme on a weekly basis. Against the Eagles, they were particularly successful running their outside zone and duo schemes against the different defensive fronts of Philadelphia.





In the outside zone scheme, the offensive line will look to displace the defensive line, both vertically and horizontally, to create running lanes for the running back. In the duo scheme, the offensive line will use aggressive double teams to vertically displace the defensive line and allow the running backs to find the hole or lane.

Below is a pair of pictures that show how the Browns block an outside zone play away from the tight end. The tackle will block the defensive end out as Kelley takes the handoff from Dobbs. The center and right guard will block the defensive tackle and work to the No. 1 linebacker. The backside guard and tackle will block the other defensive tackle and work to the No. 2 linebacker.

This is a foundation run in the Browns’ scheme.




Browns offensive line film review.
Browns offensive line film review.

Browns offensive line film review.
Browns offensive line film review.




In the pass game, the offensive line consistently created a pocket to allow the quarterback to progress through his reads and deliver accurately thrown footballs.

When the quarterback threw the ball quickly, they used aggressive jump or quick sets to stop the movement of the defensive line and make sure their hands were down. On the longer developing pass plays, they gained great depth with kick steps and used correct hand placement to control the oncoming rush.

All of these techniques are fundamental and practiced daily, ensuring great carry over to the game field.













The athletic ability of the Brown offensive line allows it to be successful in the screen game.

The linemen do a fantastic job of selling pass first and then getting out in front of the ball carrier and creating space to run. Their ability to block smaller linebackers and defensive backs is crucial for screen success and extremely hard for offensive lineman to accomplish. Through countless repetitions at practice and excellent athletic ability, the Browns offensive line consistently makes these blocks happen.

Below is a succession of pictures that demonstrate the techniques and athletic ability of the offensive line on a screen play.

In the top picture, the offensive line does a great job of snapping up and showing pass first. This causes the defensive line to pass rush and the linebackers to drop into coverage. The second picture shows left guard Drew Forbes (79) getting to the No. 1 linebacker, center Michael Dunn (68) getting to the No. 2 linebacker, and right guard Blake Hance (52) getting to the No. 3 linebacker.




This springs rookie running back, Jerome Ford, for an 18-yard catch run on a second-and-9 play.

Browns offensive line film review.
Browns offensive line film review.

Browns offensive line film review.
Browns offensive line film review.




What we learned

The success of a football offense is totally correlated with the strength of its offensive linemen.

“It all starts up front” is the most true and honest statement a coach can make about a football team. When the offensive line struggles, so will the offense, regardless of the surrounding talent.




The Browns have a really good offensive line, a super offensive line coach, and the deepest running back room in the NFL. As Jacoby Brissett gets settled in as the starter, look for the Browns to run the ball and create manageable third down situations to allow the quarterback to have success.

Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.


https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...e-play-leads-to-success-film-review.html

I really feel that our OL has not received their just due on this board. It's time to give them more love.

Nice thread here because OL is the strength of our team (well, and the RB room obviously). To me, it’s all about health. If we can keep the line in tact we will be competitive. We have the best guard combo in the league and that can ease the pain of losing Harris.

I noticed Hoffman against the Eagles. He plays very physical.

The good thing for us is we do have a great OL coach. We have guys that DO improve (we haven’t seen that very much with our franchise)

We could sure use a WR and DT coach to do for those positions what Bill C has done for our Oline. He must be helping the FO pick and choose these guys as well. That's not me bagging on the FO...that's me praising Bill C.

The continuing journey of OL Hjalte Froholdt
Guard/center has shown improvement

By Barry Shuck Aug 27, 2022, 7:02am EDT 0 Comments / 0 New

NFL: NOV 21 Lions at Browns
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Needless to say, the Browns center position has been a roller coaster this year.

After J.C. Tretter was released this past off-season after eight highly-productive seasons in a cost-cutting move, his backup Nick Harris was ready to slide into the position. After some heated competition in training camp, Harris was named the starter.

Then, he tore up his knee on the second play in the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

His backup was veteran Ethan Pocic who the Browns signed in free agency. The five-year veteran played the remainder of the first half of the Jaguars game to which undrafted free agent Brock Hoffman took all snaps in the second half.

Into the next week of practice sixth round draft pick Dawson Deaton injured his knee as well. Both Dawson and Harris were added to IR.

Hoffman has had a lot of starts in college at the center position. Cleveland is not college.

In the second preseason game versus Philadelphia, the center positions in the first half was manned by guard Michael Dunn whereas the second half Hjalte Froholdt took every snap at center.

One thing for certain if you are an offensive lineman with the Cleveland Browns – you must have versatility in your toolbox.

On the Browns official depth chart, Dunn is listed as the backup left guard behind Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio while Froholdt is penciled in as the backup to the other Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller while Hoffman backs up Pocic.

The start at center for Dunn was a first on his resume. As upsetting as it was to lose Harris so early in the year, other guys are needed to step into those shoes.

Another player who found a role on this 2022 team is Froholdt.

Beginnings
Hjalte Froholdt (pronounced YELL-duh FROH-holt) was born in Svendborg, Denmark. Growing up, football was never on his mind. He had family members who played rugby and as a youngster he watched the game with enthusiasm but not necessarily with a yearning.


At the age of 12, he went out for the American Football team assuming that with all that hitting and tackling this game was the same as rugby. He made the Svendborg Admirals team but only practiced because his team did not have enough players to compete in actual games although they played 7-on-7.

As a teenager he accepted an exchange student program invitation to the United States instead of requesting places like Australia or South America. As he was growing up and was now a bigger guy, Froholdt thought American food was the better choice and heard all of their meals were supersized. Now a sophomore, he landed in Warren, Ohio to attend Harding High School. There, he had another chance to play American Football.

“Some people thought it was pretty hard to pronounce my name, so they just called me ‘Denmark,’” Froholdt told Boston.com. “But it’s not too hard. I guess I’ve had a couple (nicknames) that I really don’t quite remember.”

At Harding he played on both sides of the line plus some tight end and was also the punter. The learning curve did not come easy as the terminology of this new sport was so different than in Denmark. The players were much better athletes, had a lot more speed and could bust his butt on the ground. Froholdt then became a weight room junkie which helped him fill out his beefy frame where he was now 6’-4” and weighed 265 pounds.


After just his first season, he was already getting letters from colleges. He returned to Denmark for a full year to play for the Sollerod Gold Diggers, a U-19 team. Frodholdt then returned to the U.S., but this time landed in Bradenton, Florida where he suited up for prestigious IMG Academy.

Froholdt had numerous Power 5 offers and chose Arkansas. Now tipping the scales at 306 pounds while adding one inch, he was a starter at defensive line in his freshman campaign. The following year he was switched to offensive line where he played 25 games for the next two seasons at left guard. As a senior, in addition to his usual left guard spot he anchored the center position for three games. He was a three-year starter on the offensive line, named Second Team All-SEC plus was a team captain.



“Froholdt has primarily lined up at guard, but a move to center might give him his best shot as a pro. He has good power to absorb and neutralize at the point of attack, but there just aren’t enough wins as an in-line blocker due to his lack of push. Froholdt also struggles to protect his edges through foot quickness or functional power and he should be able to get the help he needs at center. His ability to play both guard and center strengthens his case to become a solid backup who can step in and start in a pinch.”

He was invited to the Combine where he ran a 5.2 in the 40, bench pressed 31 times, had a vertical jump of 27.5”, and a broad jump of 105 inches.

Onto the NFL
The New England Patriots selected Froholdt in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft listed as a guard prospect.


The plus with Frodholdt is that he can play either guard or center. He has a long torso coupled with short legs which gives him a lower center of gravity. He possesses short-area quickness with a strong core. The knock on him is that his upper-body does not match his core strength and does not remain engaged although he will win the earliest phase of the block.

Froholdt does love the game of football.

His stay with New England was brief. He become injured in the Patriots final preseason game with a shoulder injury to which he was placed on IR. In late November when he qualified to get back on the main roster coming off IR, he was waived.

Two days later, the Houston Texans claimed him where he found the COVID list followed by a short stint on the active roster followed by the club releasing him followed by being added to the practice squad.


On October 5 of last year right before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Browns signed Froholdt off the Texans practice squad as Cleveland was having multiple offensive lineman issues. He was released just before the bye week, then signed to the practice squad. The club elevated him again on Christmas Eve in Week 16.

During the off-season Cleveland inked him to a reserves/futures contract.

Froholdt has had a good training camp. He has switched between right guard and center and has been pretty proficient so far while getting some reps in practices. Versatility is going to be his savior if he makes the final 53-man roster this year.

Against Philadelphia last weekend, Frodholdt had a great game. Sports Illustrated mentioned the Dane in their post-game write-up:

“Meanwhile, Hjalte Froholdt, the Danish offensive lineman also was effective at both right guard and looked the part at center. He looks like a safe bet to make the active roster to round out the offensive line room should the Browns stick with nine.”

As a run blocker Frodholdt is solid and the reason he is on the Browns roster. He is very strong and has emerged as a key backup player for both guard spots, plus being a center is a huge bonus.


This weekend he will need to play as much of the second half against Chicago as he can to prove he belongs on the active roster. Cut-down day is this upcoming Tuesday when Cleveland will need to trim their roster from 85 to 53.

Last year the Browns kept 10 offensive linemen. As the season rolled along, they needed many more as numerous starters and backups were dropping like flies. GM Andrew Berry has seen the advantage of not only having this many guys on the O-Line again this year, but keeping the ones who offer the ability to step into as many positions as needed.

This describes Frodholdt perfectly.

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/8/27/23324408/the-continuing-journey-of-ol-hjalte-froholdt

I am not sure if it is the coaching as much as the scouting of the players, but something needs to change when it comes to those two positions.

I am not sure if it is the coaching as much as the scouting of the players, but something needs to change when it comes to those two positions.

...Have you seen DPJ? Body type is not his issue. Just saying.

Dorsey got Teller and 7th round pick from Buffalo for a 5th rounder and a 6th rounder. He should be arrested for Grand Theft.

The teller acquisition and Chubb draft picks were definitely the highlights of Dorsey’s tenure IMO

I have heard good things. I guess my only question is his age. Players are usually pretty polished by the time they are 26.