2016 NFL Week Two Hot Takes: End of the Tony Romo Era?
By Erik Lambert
Appalling weakness in trenches cost Browns again
If people are looking for scapegoats as to why the Cleveland Browns blew a 20-point lead to the Baltimore Ravens, they need not look any further than their play on the offensive and defensive lines. That is often where NFL success is built. It’s a lesson Cleveland has failed to learn for years. Outside of left tackle Joe Thomas they have no legitimate blockers on offense. That would explain why two of their quarterbacks are already facing long-term injury absences.
It’s just as bad on defense too. When was the last time the Browns had a legitimate pass rusher? A long time. Their inability to sack Joe Flacco despite the Ravens starting two rookies on their offensive line is the perfect encapsulation of the ineptitude. It’s for that reason a huge portion of their salary cap space and draft picks should be devoted to those two areas in 2017. Until its fixed this team will continue to lose games like this.