Browns’ Bitonio heads into ‘ unknown’ at left tackle
“We know he’s one of the best left guards in football. He has the versatility to go out there and play (left tackle), and me knowing Joel, he’s a team guy.”
Since the Browns drafted Bitonio in the second round in 2014, he has started at left guard in all 47 games in which he has appeared.
Bitonio, 26, admitted he is reluctant about the transition because he doesn’t know how he will perform at left tackle, a position he played for a season and a half at Nevada.
“You’re always scared of the unknown, and I don’t know how it’s going to go at left tackle,” Bitonio said after practice. “I kind of know how it’s going to go at left guard. So I’m going to go out there and give it my best shot and try and help the team win.”
Shon Coleman had been practicing as the first-team left tackle since camp opened last week, but his struggles in pass protection prompted the Browns to demote him to second team.
“I think Shon needs time,” Jackson said.
On Sunday, offensive line coach Bob Wylie described moving Bitonio to left tackle as plan “Z,” though Jackson obviously had something different in mind.
“I make those decisions. Those are none of our coaches’ decisions. Those are mine,” Jackson said. “I never said plan ‘Z,’ so here we are.”
Bitonio said he was “a little shocked” to receive a call about Jackson’s decision Tuesday, when the players were off and the coaches caught up on evaluating the first five practices of camp. Bitonio then called Thomas, a good friend and 10-time Pro Bowl selection who retired in March after playing all 10,363 snaps of his career, and told him he will need some advice about left tackle.
“You’re in space a lot more,” said Bitonio, 6 feet 4 and 305 pounds. “At guard, you’re kind of on the line of scrimmage. You’re contacting guys right away. Most of the left tackles in the league are 6-6, 6-7, a little bit thinner than I am.
“I just haven’t (played left tackle) in the NFL yet. It might be like coming in as a rookie. You just don’t know how really it’s going to work for you out there. It’s definitely a different animal, and you’re on an island by yourself.”
Free-agent pickup Greg Robinson entered camp as the No. 2 left tackle, but he suffered a concussion in the second practice. Jackson said he is committed to finding out how Bitonio will pan out at left tackle and wants him to play there in the preseason, even when Robinson returns.
Rookie secondround pick Austin Corbett began camp as the No. 2 left guard and No. 3 left tackle. When Robinson was hurt, Corbett became the No. 2 left tackle. Now he is the No. 1 left guard, filling Bitonio’s usual spot.