For the longest time -- basically 1999 to 2003 -- the Cleveland Browns made some dreadful decisions with their first-round draft picks. Obviously, it all starts with Tim Couch (1999). And then there was Courtney Brown (2000), and Gerard Warren (2001). Who could forget William Green over Clinton Portis (2002), and Jeff Faine (2003).
But with the dark days of Chris Palmer and Butch Davis behind the franchise, things have picked up in recent years. Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, Kamerion Wimbley, and now, Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn. While it's easy to point to Quinn as the team's most important pick -- possibly in this version of the Browns' short history -- it may be the other 2007 first-rounder that ends up having the better career.
Cleveland's offensive line is quietly having a solid season. The unit is on pace to give up 28 sacks, the fewest in 13 years. This group is excelling with a rookie left tackle, and missing two of its best players: tackle Ryan Tucker and center LeCharles Bentley. But that's changing:
Tucker returned to practice this week [after serving a four-game suspension] and probably will be put on the active roster before Sunday's game against New England.Then there's Bentley, who blew out his knee on his very first day of practice with the team last summer:
Whispers inside the Browns complex persist that Bentley's recovery from four knee surgeries is proceeding so well that he may be able to play at some point this season.That's amazing. Bentley is currently on the physically unable to perform list, so he'll be out at least through Week 6, but after that, who knows. Obviously, an offense will only go as far as its offensive line. That the Browns have been able to put together a respectable unit despite key injuries is pretty impressive. Props to GM Phil Savage, who only a few months ago, looked like he might get canned.
