Between the Lines: Cleveland Browns 2009 Review/2010 Preview

As we get ready for the start of the NFL season, FanHouse will be take a look at the offensive line situation for each team in the league -- how they performed last season and how they project into 2010. You can find additional FanHouse offensive line analysis here.

It's not easy being a Cleveland Browns' fan. You have to be nearing retirement to remember the team's glory days of the 1950s and 1960s, and even the Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar days are now distant memories.

In the 2000s, Cleveland has rotated quarterbacks, running backs and coaches as frequently as most teams change their socks. But there is one part of the Browns team that isn't a joke. Even while the rest of the offense (and the defense) has struggled for an identity, Cleveland has developed a solid offensive line. Unfortunately, all that has proven up to now is that a strong offensive line isn't enough to take a team to the playoffs.

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Player	Sacks	Median Sack Time	Over 3 Seconds
Qb/Play Call	9.5	3.55	6
John St. Clair	5.5	2.65	2
Joe Thomas	5	3.3	3
Floyd Womack	3.5	2.55	0
Jerome Harrison	2.5	2	0
Hank Fraley	2	2.5	1
Lee Vickers	1	2.5	0
Eric Steinbach	1	2.3	0

The Good: Cleveland has all kind of problems, but the offensive line is one group that the team can feel relatively good about. If the Browns could solve their other offensive questions (settle on a quarterback, develop some wide receivers, discover if Jerome Harrison is a franchise running back) the offensive line is good enough to lead this team to the playoffs.

Left tackle Joe Thomas is one of the best blindside blockers in the league. He allowed five sacks last year, but three of those could be blamed on Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson's tendency to hold the ball too long (they can't be completely blamed for that, as few Browns' receivers were capable of getting open). A fourth came when Cullen Jenkins managed to grab Anderson's arm as Thomas pushed him by Anderson. Only one of those sacks came on a play where Thomas was really beaten.

Centers don't often give up many sacks, but the fact that rookie Alex Mack didn't give up one all season is worth noting as well. Mack was also an excellent run blocker for a rookie.

John St. Clair's season started on an awful note: Elvis Dumervil beat him for three sacks in the season opener, and it was fair to ask if the long-time backup was in over his head as a starter. But St. Clair settled down and allowed only 2 1/2 more sacks all season.

Right guard Floyd Womack lived up to the term average in 2009. He's not great, but he's got enough strength and the feet to survive, if he doesn't let his weight get out of hand. He even slid out to right tackle late in the season, when St. Clair was lost to an ankle injury. At 31, Womack doesn't have many years left, but there's no reason to try to replace him yet.

The Bad: It's hard to live up to the kind of contract that Eric Steinbach signed, especially as his base salary is getting heftier and heftier. But the reality is that Steinbach hasn't lived up to the Browns' expectations. He may have given up only one sack, but the Browns were not happy with his pass blocking or push in the running game. He's actually been running with the second team some during training camp. Considering his contract, Steinbach will have to play better if he's going to stick around over the long term.

Hank Fraley was the team's starting center until Mack came along. He ended up stepping in at right guard when Womack slid outside to tackle. Fraley has built a 10-year career around being a smart tactician, but at this point, his physical limitations make him a better backup than starter, which is why Cleveland was willing to let him leave after the season.

Cleveland's main problem is that they need to develop some young talent. Steinbach, Womack and St. Clair/Pashos will give the Browns three linemen on the wrong side of 30.

The Future: With Thomas and Mack, Cleveland has a pair of stars on the offensive line. If Steinbach can regain some of the agility he showed in Cincinnati and Womack can continue to play adequately at right guard, the offensive line will be the strength of the Browns' roster.

Cleveland will have to decide between St. Clair and Pashos at right tackle. St. Clair was the team's starter for most of the season last year, but he missed almost all of the final three games of the season with an ankle injury. If he's healthy, it's not a given that Pashos will beat him out. The former Jaguar struggled to beat out the overmatched Adam Snyder in San Franciso and has had plenty of injury problems.