Offensive Line Depth, Running Back Among Concerns for Browns This Season

The Cleveland Browns had better hope Joe Thomas and Jamal Lewis don’t get hurt this season.

Although based on three preseason games, fans may not lose much sleep on an injured Lewis. Thomas, though, is another story.

Today, the Browns placed offensive lineman Ryan Tucker on injured reserve after cutting tackle George Foster last week.

Tucker and the Browns came to an injury settlement, which could allow him to return to the team.

That leaves the loser of the Alex Mack/Hank Fraley battle and Rex Hadnot, who is coming off of an MCL injury, as the primary backups.

Head coach Eric Mangini and general manager George Kokinis recently picked up long-time Texans guard Fred Weary, although it remains to be seen if he will make the final cut.

Assuming the starting offensive line is Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Alex Mack, Floyd Womack and John St. Clair, that leaves Fraley, Hadnot and either Weary, Isaac Sowells or Kurt Quarterman as the reserves.

There is also the possibility that if Thomas goes down, that Steinbach could slide over to tackle, with Hadnot filling in at left guard.

The point is, the lack of quality depth behind the starters is a bit concerning, and in the AFC North, teams need as many linemen as possible.

Then there is Jamal Lewis.

It’s only preseason, but Lewis is running like his age (30) and backup Jerome Harrison hasn’t seem game action since the Green Bay game.

There was a report from the News Herald that Harrison could be in danger of losing his roster spot to Noah Herron. While I doubt this is possible, nothing should be considered out of the question with Mangini. He hasn’t seen a lot of action out of Harrison and Noah Herron is one of his guys.

Rookie James Davis has looked impressive thus far during preseason, but it’s been mostly against third stringers. It’s unknown how Davis would perform against first-team defenses.

Another area that has me concerned is in the secondary.

After releasing Rod Hood yesterday, that leaves Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald as the starters, with Hank Poteat, Corey Ivy, and Coye Francies battling for the nickel and dime spots.

While Wright and McDonald have come up with big plays in preseason, the others have left much to be desired.

Francies has probably been the most impressive, but again, it’s against third stringers.

Poteat and Ivy are journeymen defensive backs and not the type of guys you want to depend on to cover team’s third receivers.

Francies’ play during preseason could be a reason the Browns decided to part ways with Hood, but throwing a sixth round pick into game action that quickly is risky.

The safety position is even shakier with the injury to starter Brodney Pool.

The Browns won’t disclose Pool’s injury, but there has been speculation that it is a concussion. He spent the last few practices inside away from the team and media, but did return to action yesterday.

Backup Mike Adams is a solid veteran, but not the type of player that should be playing eight or nine games a season.

Undrafted free agent Bret Lockett has shown some skill in preseason and could make the roster on special teams.

With about a week and a half to go until the season opener, it’s doubtful that the Browns will find any street free agents to come in and help, so players on the current roster will have to step up.

As Browns fans know, if you don’t have depth in the NFL, you’re in for a long season.