Looking at the Browns' Offensive Line on Day 1 of OTAs

On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns were on the field for Day 1 of OTAs, and it was uplifting to see C Alex Mack taking part in the action in some capacity. Although the coaching staff has conveyed that he could be a full-go now, they are choosing to ease him back into things slowly, with the anticipation that they will have no restrictions for him come training camp.

When it came to the rest of the offensive line, I was interested in seeing where the Browns would line up first-round OL Cameron Erving at. One day in to OTAs, we really aren't any closer to finding out, and it could be very well because the coaching staff doesn't know yet either.

In 7-on-7 drills, the first-team offensive line was the same as the starting lineup a year ago: LT Joe Thomas, LG Joel Bitonio, C Alex Mack, RG John Greco, and RT Mitchell Schwartz. In those situations, Erving mostly played right guard on the second-team offense.

When it came to 11-on-11 drills, Mack was held out, and the Browns shifted Greco over to center, inserting Erving into the first-team offense at right guard. For 11-on-11 drills with the second-team offense, Erving remained at right guard. According to Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 the Fan, he did see some action at right tackle too, and there are other reports that he participated in some center drills, so expect to see him shifted around over the next couple of weeks. One thing seems likely: Greco or Schwartz are going to lose their starting role, and Greco spoke about the competition he faces after practice:

"This isn't the first time we've drafted a lineman high,'' said Greco. "People are like, 'Oh, well, you're benched or you're gone.' It just creates competition. I have to play hard no matter what. I have to essentially act like there's a first-round draft pick every year. You can't just become satisfied. There's never been a point in my career where I'm like, 'OK, I'm the guy. There's no one knocking on the door behind me. This is just me and you can relax.' Because when you do that, you're going to play bad. So I just try to play my game no matter what the outside situations are and go from there."

No news on the Michael Bowie front yet, but he is expected to be a dark horse for the starting right tackle position.