We just took a look at the best individual defensive performances for the Cleveland Browns, as deemed by Pro Football Focus, in which four players received recognition. What about the offensive side of the ball? I almost laughed to myself when clicking on the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver links, because I did not expect there to be any members of the Browns in those categories. Sure enough, I was right. In total, two members of the Browns' offense were recognized. Was left tackle Joe Thomas one of them?
No, he was not. Instead, the honors belonged to two other members of the offensive line.
Shawn Lauvao struggled to begin the season, but he had an awesome performance in Week 15 against the Cardinals that ranked as the 4th best effort by a right guard all season:
4. Shawn Lauvao, Cleveland Browns: Week 15 at Arizona (+4.5)
It wasn’t always easy for Lauvao while starting at guard for Cleveland last year, but he put some of those struggles behind him with a strong display against Arizona here. Lauvao didn’t give up a single pressure despite having to deal with Darnell Dockett most of the game. And, outside of David Carter beating him badly once, he was on top of his battles in the run game. This was an encouraging late season display.
In the same game, Alex Mack was credited for having a tie for the 10th best effort by a center all season:
10t. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns: Week 15 vs. Arizona (+4.0)
10t. Chris Myers, Houston Texans: Week 15 vs. Carolina (+4.0)The Browns and Texans centers did enough in Week 15 to both earn a tie for the 10th spot, with Myers excelling against the Panthers and Mack enjoying himself against the Cardinals. Both men gave up a pressure (though Mack had his nullified by a penalty), but their run blocking was superb a they did a great job of getting to the second level. Just ask Paris Lenon and Dan Connor who were on the receiving end of the efforts of these two men.