BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns were hoping the offensive line would be one of the strengths of the team. They spent a lot of money to keep center Alex Mack from leaving in free agency and then used a high draft choice to select Joel Bitonio as well.
One of the keys to the Browns 183-yard rushing performance last week was the blocking performance of the offensive line and that will be a key moving forward for the Browns offense to have success.
"Just watching the way that we ran the ball in the second half, that line working together I thought was outstanding," coach Mike Pettine said. "I think that there is that learning curve with the zone scheme. That group of five really started to turn it on and play well."
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan brought a zone blocking scheme to the Browns and it appears the line is coming together with it.
"There's no question that Kyle Shanahan loves to run the ball," Joe Thomas said. "That's going to be what our offense revolves around."
The group of Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, John Greco and Mitchell Schwartz should only get more productive with the schemes as the weeks progress.
Shanahan was happy with the running game against the Steelers.
"At times they did real well, and then there were a few things that we missed that they know from," he said. "We do it over and over every week. I think they'll get better from it throughout the year. Going into that game, they were good at the stuff we were expecting. They missed a couple of looks that we weren't expecting.
"The more reps they get, the more they get playing in it, the more they'll be able to adjust to that," he said. "I feel we'll get better as we go. Just stay healthy. You have continuity. That's the main thing with having those guys out there."
Even the rookie Bitonio seems to fit right into the line.
"That's funny because I was just talking to Kyle about it (Thursday) morning," Pettine said. "He did play well. Some things to clean up in pass protection, but overall I though he run-blocked extremely well. He didn't look like a rookie in his first game. He was a clear indication that he was the right guy for that job, and he's got that spot locked down from here moving forward."
The Browns seemed to have a lot of success against the Steelers running over the right side with Greco and Schwartz.
"I think some of the things we were doing were called one direction or the other," Pettine said. "I think some of the other ones that we had the ability to do some check-with-me stuff, so they might have ended up when the day was over and the numbers crunched down going that way. Sometimes, that's more a product of what the defense is doing and where they're soft, or what look their giving you -- if they're overloaded one side you run away from it. Some of our runs in the second half were based on that."
All three of the Browns running backs averaged over six yards a carry against the Steelers. Athough Shanahan was pleased, he doesn't expect those results every game.
"I'd like to say that we expect to run for six yards per carry every time, but I don't think that's been done before over the course of a year," Shanahan said. "It's setting the bar a little bit high, but I would love for that to be our goal. Every time we call a run play we expect all 11 guys to block. We're trying to score on every play. You rarely do, but our goal is to score. We're not just calling runs to get three yards and stuff.
"We're trying to be as explosive in the run game as in the pass game," he said. "I was excited for the guys because they made a big commitment to it -- to working hard in the run game. I was excited for them to have some success and see it work. Hopefully we can work off it this week."
EXTRA POINTS
Pettine Still Hopeful for Cameron, Mingo: Despite missing all three days of practice this week, Pettine still is holding out hope that TE Jordan Cameron and LB Barkevious Mingo will be able to play this week.
Despite not practicing, they were both listed as "questionable" with shoulder injuries on the official injury report.
"The type of injury (it is), when you build up a bank of reps and you feel a guy might be able to help you," Pettine said. "There's still a chance with the way their rehab isgoing . They're getting better every day, so it will go right up to game time."
Pettine said he doesn't have a hard and fast rule preventing players from playing if they haven't practiced during the week.
"I've seen it, to me it depends on the player," he said. "If he's a guy that needs practice and I've seen guys who for the large part of a season do nothing but walk throughs. you prefer not to do it, but I don't have a hard and fast rule. A lot of it is per individual case."
If Mingo doesn't play, Jabaal Sheard will likely start and have more reps. Pettine said Sheard played well against the Steelers.
"I thought he flashed some of the Jabaal Sheard we saw last year," he said.
Shanahan was asked if the offense would be affected drastically if Cameron can't play on Sunday.
"Yeah, it affects how we look at everything," he said. "When you put together a game plan, a third down package, everything you do it affects it -- who you want to get the ball to with matchups and stuff.
"I'm used to being in this situation," he said. "A lot of times you never know who's going to be up, so you've got to have plans for both and make sure when it is a game-time decision and things like that that you're not depending on the decision. You're ready for it and you can go either way."
Pettine said that if Cameron won't play, that newly signed TE Gerell Robinson would be activated.
A silver lining is the Browns put up 24 points in the second half last week against the Steelers with Cameron only on the field for one play after injuring his shoulder.
So You're Saying There's a Chance: The NFLPA was supposed to vote on a new drug policy and there have been reports that WR Josh Gordon could be re-instated in time for this week's game with the Saints.
However, the most recent reports have been that Gordon would get an eight-game suspension.
Pettine was asked if he was hopeful to get Gordon back at some time this season.
"Until we get official word from the league, we don't get our hopes up. We'll believe it when we see it."
Pettine was asked why Gordon's locker is completely intact in the locker room, complete with helmet, jersey, cleats and Tums.
"We just got some really lazy guys in our equipment room."
Shanahan said if Gordon were re-instated for this week's game, he might find a place for him despite him not practicing since Aug 27.
"Yeah, if Josh is able to play this week, I'd like to get him out there. I think he would help," Shanahan said.
Tate Update: RB Ben Tate was in the locker room and walking with a brace on his sprained right knee.
"I won't be out too long," Tate said.
He didn't rule out playing next week, but with the bye after next week's game, Tate sounded optimistic he could return in week five against the Titans. Reports have said the injury was a 2-4 week injury.
"We'll see next week, but the bye definitely comes at a good time."
Tate had just rushed for a 25-yard gain and after leaving the field felt something when he tried to go back in.
"I tried to go back in the game and the knee didn't feel right."
Tate finished with 41 yards on six carries for an average of 6.8 yards per carry.
Bryant, McQuistan, Hughes Questionable: Other than Tate being ruled out for the game, the rest of the injury report is questionable. Cameron (shoulder), Mingo (shoulder), DL Desmond Bryant (wrist), OL Paull McQuistan (ankle) and DL John Hughes (hamstring) were all listed as questionable for the game.
Bryant, McQuistan and Hughes all practiced on a limited basis.
Manziel Look: Rookie QB Johnny Manziel didn't play against the Steelers and it is unknown if the plan was to use him or not.
However, the Browns put 24 points on the board in the second half and the play of QB Brian Hoyer kept Manziel on the sidelines. Pettine was asked if Hoyer's play tabled any thoughts of using Manziel in certain situations.
"It could happen and I know Rob and I'm sure they are preparing for (a Manziel package)," Pettine said. "The Ryans are very detailed and very paranoid in their preparation. If Johnny does go out there it won't be something they haven't prepared for."
However, offense coordinator said that is unlikely to happen.
"As far as a Johnny package, like I said last week, a package is running our offense," Shanahan said. "Johnny is not a wildcat quarterback. If our starting quarterback gets injured or something like that, then your backup quarterback comes in. You hope he can run the offense and execute it. There are obviously plays that Johnny would do that Brian wouldn't, but that usually has to do with the health of your quarterback and how the game is going."
Shanahan also was asked if Manziel could be used as a change of pace option.
"Probably not, but that always depends on what you're going against -- what the looks are -- how everything is going as a whole," he said. "There are really no absolutes, but week in and week out, it has to do with what I see on tape with who we're going against."
The Imitator?: The Browns signed 6-7, 238 pound WR Ifeanyi Momah to their practice squad. The Browns play Pro Bowl TE Jimmy Graham this Sunday. Pettine was asked if that was a coincidence.
"Well, he was a guy that we had. (General Manager) Ray (Farmer) always carries a short-list of guys that he'd like to always be kind of rolling the bottom of the roster -- rolling the practice squad especially," Pettine said. "I think he was a guy who was kind of near the top of the short list. We wanted to get him in and get a look at him, and this was a good week for it with playing a tight end like Jimmy Graham who plays really like a tall wideout at times and a (Saints WR) Marques Colston who's a taller range guy as well. I think it's helpful to have those body types to go against. It would be hard to have (WR Taylor) Gabriel imitate Colston this week as an example. You try to do what you can, especially if it's going to be a key match-up for you."
