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Around SBN: College Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2010: Offensive Line Preview, Part II

We've made it -- it's time for the final position preview before training camp begins. Let's not waste any time with taking a look at Part II of our Cleveland Browns Offensive Line Preview.

Teams typically carry about nine offensive lineman, so that means three of the seven players in today's preview have a legitimate chance at making the team.

 

Star-divide

7. SHAWN LAUVAO - BACKUP ROOKIE GUARD

8276_mediumShawn Lauvao (#66)
Height:
6-2
Weight: 315
Age: 22
Experience: Rookie
College: Arizona State
Note: Lauvao looks to challenge for starting RG

Drafted in the third round of this year's draft, Shawn Lauvao should be in the mix for the starting right guard position. I don't think we should expect Lauvao to win the job over Floyd Womack, but if he looks like the superior player in camp, there's no reason to keep him on the bench. After all -- Alex Mack started last year despite veteran Hank Fraley being on the roster.

Lauvao played tackle during the 2009 season at Arizona State, but his lack of movement required him to be moved to the guard position at the NFL level. Mocking the Draft credits Lauvao for having good strength in one-on-one situations, stating he should be ready to handle opposing teams' defensive tackles. He has the tools to be a power run blocker, which fits in with what the Browns are trying to achieve.

Final Roster Odds: 100%


8. BILLY  YATES - VETERAN BACKUP GUARD

8276_mediumBilly Yates (#68)
Height:
6-2
Weight: 305
Age: 30
Experience: 6 years
College: Texas A&M
Note: Yates will probably be this year's utility man on the line.

I'm guilty of forgetting that Billy Yates was a member of the Browns during the 2009 campaign, playing in a total of seven games.

Yates has been in the league since 2003. He spent his first year with the Miami Dolphins, but played for the Patriots from 2004-2008. Yates ended up starting a few games during his span with New England, filling in for injured players, and also won a Super Bowl ring.

I see Yates being this year's Rex Hadnot since he can fill in at guard or center. The scouting report on Yates says that he's a better run blocker than he is a pass protector; isn't that common for all of our non-elite linemen?

Final Roster Odds: 80%


9. SCOTT KOOISTRA - VETERAN BACKUP TACKLE

8276_mediumScott Kooistra (#74)
Height:
6-6
Weight: 335
Age: 29
Experience: 7 years
College: NC State
Note: After a seven-year stint with the Bengals, is he a roster lock?

Originally a seventh-round draft choice for the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2003, Scott Kooistra had a nice little seven-year stint with the Bengals before being released by the team last season.

Kooistra differs from Yates a bit in the sense that he's listed as a tackle or guard. Given the fact that Lauvao and Yates will already be competing at guard, I expect Kooistra to see more action at tackle in camp. I'd have to imagine that Kooistra would have a decent chance at taking a roster spot away from John St. Clair; then again, it might be best for the team to keep two backup tackles.

Final Roster Odds: 50%


10. PAT MURRAY - BACKUP GUARD

8276_mediumPat Murray (#75)
Height:
6-3
Weight: 310
Age: 25
Experience: 3 years
College: Truman State
Note: Murray was on the Browns' practice squad most of last season.

Murray first entered the NFL back in the 2007 season, joining the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in camp.

During the 2008 season, Murray signed on to the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks, which gives him a slight tie to team president Mike Holmgren. Seattle couldn't keep Murray after the Denver Broncos signed him to their active roster late in the 2008 season.

After Denver release him before the 2009 season, the Browns signed him and eventually placed him on the practice squad, where he spent most of last season. Murray is listed as a guard.

Final Roster Odds: 10%
Practice Squad Odds: 40% (if eligible)


11. PAUL FANAIKA - BACKUP GUARD

8276_mediumPaul Fanaika (#--)
Height:
6-5
Weight: 327
Age: 24
Experience: 1 year
College: Arizona State
Note: Fanaika comes over from the NFC East to the AFC North.

The Browns are overwhelmed with backup guards in camp. Paul Fanaika was selected in the seventh round by the Philadelphia Eagles in last year's draft.

Fanaika made the Eagles' practice squad, but was signed to the active roster of the Washington Redskins in late November. The Browns picked him up off waivers after the Redskins released back in June.

His scouting report coming out of college touted him as having great bulk and power but being limited in his range and not being able to get as good of a push in the run game as he should.

Final Roster Odds: 10%
Practice Squad Odds: 30%


12. JOEL REINDERS - BACKUP ROOKIE TACKLE

8276_mediumJoel Reinders (#67)
Height:
6-7
Weight: 320
Age: 23
Experience: Rookie
College: Waterloo
Note: Can this "project" be a pleasant surprise?

If you haven't heard of Joel Reinders, then think of him as the offensive version of Kwaku Danso this year. In short, there's one word to describe him: project.

To read the full story on Reinders, click here. Here's the brief summary: Reinders posted some footage of his work on YouTube, in hopes to be picked up by a CFL team. A Browns scout noticed him on YouTube and signed him as an undrafted free agent. He's made it all the way to training camp.

Reinders has only played in eight career football games, but his size and ability during that span was enough for the team to take a flier. I'm interested to see how he and Danso do in camp.

Final Roster Odds: 0%
Practice Squad Odds: 20%


12. CASEY BENDER - BACKUP ROOKIE GUARD

8276_mediumCasey Bender (#72)
Height:
6-6
Weight: 298
Age: 23
Experience: Rookie
College: S. Dakota State
Note: Comparable to Eric Steinbach, size-wise.

The Browns signed Bender as an undrafted free agent a few months ago. Bender might have a tough time transitioning to the NFL. He came to South Dakota State as a tight end and converted to the guard position. He might be considered undersized, but on the same note he's not much different from Eric Steinbach.

Bender can move quickly at his position, but he's still a long shot to make the active roster due to the number of people ahead of him on the depth chart.

Final Roster Odds: <1%
Practice Squad Odds: 5%


Offensive Line Position Quality (Starters): B
Offensive Line Position Quality (Backups): C-


The countdown to training camp is now at just three days!

Poll
Which player are you most intrigued by?
Pat Murray
42 votes
Paul Fanaika
40 votes
Joel Reinders
406 votes
Casey Bender
29 votes

517 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 29 comments |

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Being a Canadian, i hope for the best for Joel Reinders. My cousin played with him at Waterloo University (in Canada) and although he may not be the most fundamental Tackle, he is a freakish, giant athlete who would be the perfect “project” for the Browns this year.

Holmgren for President, of the World

by BrownEye on Jul 28, 2010 1:15 AM EDT reply actions  

Also his handlebar mustache is not comparable to any other player in the NFL

Holmgren for President, of the World

by BrownEye on Jul 28, 2010 1:17 AM EDT reply actions  

Comparable to Eric Steinbach, size-wise.

We already know what Moony’s going to say about this, “That’s our back-up center right there!”

by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 28, 2010 2:13 AM EDT reply actions  

Really small point chris, Lauvao started 2009 at Tackle, specifically Left Tackle and not guard.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 28, 2010 9:14 AM EDT reply actions  

Thanks, I meant to say tackle (as seen by the unusual ‘played guard and will move to guard’ phrase):

Lauvao played guard during the 2009 season at Arizona State, but his lack of movement required him to be moved to the guard position at the NFL level.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 28, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

I figured that is what you meant…

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 28, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Actually I like:
OT Joe Thomas
OG Billy Yates
C Eric Steinbach
OG Shawn Lauvao
OT Scott Kooistra
Alex Mack to Nose Guard, move Rubin and Rogers to Defensive Tackle!!!

by mooncamping on Jul 28, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Kooistra looks like a monkey…

I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.

LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 28, 2010 12:28 PM EDT reply actions  

racist

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 28, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

…except that he is white and that is generally a racist insult against blacks.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 28, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tell that to this guy…

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 28, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

who is that guy?

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 29, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Sheik Abdullah al-Salome of Eastern Dubai. He’s the richest man in the world.

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 29, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

oh…Did not know that. thank you.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 30, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

o_O

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 30, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions  

Among other things, he owns a shady biotech company called SLR Ltd. They own a good deal of the technology used to clone Dolly, but have since been expelled from Great Britian due to al-Solome’s extremist views. There have been rumors circulating for years that he’s working on creating an army of human-ape hybrid soldiers, which, I think, is what led to his inclusion in this conversation.

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 30, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Baba Booey.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 29, 2010 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was joking

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 30, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

I figured, but I decided to take the joke seriously for some reason.

plus it wasn’t even that funny IMO…sorry.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 30, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think he looks like Jimmy Kimmel.

by JustBob on Jul 28, 2010 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

So what’s the deal with this Joe Thomas interview?

by Roger Dorn on Jul 28, 2010 1:01 PM EDT reply actions  

This is why B19K isn’t here. It probably fell through the floor and he’s hiding in the closet in shame.

I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.

LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 28, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Matt (B19K) was moving to a new place and wasn’t able to get his Internet set up correctly over the past few days. I think he should be back any time now.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 28, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Is Billy Yates even a real person ? I thought he was a ghost.

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 28, 2010 4:40 PM EDT reply actions  

They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best

About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback

I understand, as a big daddy come and take my spot type of demeanor?

by mooncamping on May 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT

by Villeslgr on Jul 28, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think Reinders makes the team (not the practice squad).

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 28, 2010 10:40 PM EDT reply actions  

Just a hunch?

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 29, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yep. A hunch. I think he makes the team as a goalline TE / kick blocker and works his way into the rotation on the right side. He’s also the only backup with the ideal size and athleticism to play LT were Thomas, god forbid, to get injured.

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 29, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Every time I see Reinders’ name I think of the Cheech and Chong skit about Santa Clause and his old lady, where he kept saying reindeers.

For the love of Joe Thomas.....

by North Coast Flea on Jul 29, 2010 10:40 AM EDT reply actions  

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