Offensive line ‘superb’ against rival Ravens

Stories recounting the Browns’ victory over the Ravens highlighted backfield, D-line...not the O-line?

Stories recounting the Browns’ statement victory over the Ravens on Sept. 29 highlighted Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry and a relentless defense — but not the offensive line.

And that’s just the way center JC Tretter likes it.

“As offensive linemen, we just try to go out and do our jobs,” Tretter said Sept. 30 on a conference call. “We’re not much into the appreciation business or credit business. If our quarterback and running backs are getting a lot of credit, that’s credit for ourselves.”

Stories from the first three games that mentioned the offensive line usually dealt with protection breakdowns.

There were no breakdowns in the 40-25 victory in Baltimore.

The Browns have been playing football in Cleveland for 70 years. Chubb has played just 20 games — only 13 as a starter — and already has two of the three longest rushes in franchise history. He set the record with a 92-yard run against the Falcons last season. He broke an 88yard gallop against the Ravens for a 30-18 Browns lead 16 seconds after the Ravens made the score 24-18 with 9:51 left in the fourth quarter.

Tretter had a role in both of Chubb’s electrifying runs. He said he could not choose which was more satisfying.

Chubb’s sprint to the end zone in Baltimore was blocked perfectly. The play began with Mayfield pitching the ball to Chubb to the right side of the backfield. Right guard Eric Kush pulled to the right and blocked Ravens linebacker Tyrus Bowser then kept moving and blocked linebacker Patrick Onwuasor. Right tackle Chris Hubbard plowed forward to tie up the defensive tackle in front of him.

Tight end Demetrius Harris sealed off two defenders. Tretter trailed Kush, looking for any stray Ravens. Left guard Joel Bitonio moved quickly to his right to lock up Patrick Ricard. Left tackle Greg Robinson bolted forward to his right and staggered linebacker Kenny Young.

Chubb took six quick steps to the right, then

quickly cut back left behind Tretter and Kush and in front of Bitonio and Harris. It was blocked so well and the hole was so big that Chubb was untouched. He hit full speed before the Ravens in the secondary could close in on him. According to nextgenstats, Chubb reached a top speed of 21.95 MPH.

“It was an excellent job on the perimeter blocking,” Coach Freddie Kitchens said on a conference call. “A lot of times when those plays happen, the first 10 to 15 yards is on the front side at the point of attack. The backside blocks are critical to extend it into that deep run range. Greg Robinson did an excellent job of getting to the backside linebacker. That’s what really creased it.

“Those guys did a good job all day of getting on

their guys and finishing blocks. I love the way we finished down the field with blocks. That’s what we expect.”

Chubb, not surprisingly, gave all the credit to everybody else. He rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens.

“The O-line did a great job opening it up for me,” Chubb told reporters after the game. “It was a great toss by Baker. The tight ends blocked it well. Anybody could have run through it.”

Chubb has 398 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns plus four catches for 99 yards through four games. At this point a year ago he had 146 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and no receptions. He didn’t become a starter until the seventh game last season.