Now that the 2006 season gets smaller and smaller in the Cleveland Browns rearview mirror, we here at www.DawgBones.com want to start looking ahead. In a weekly feature we are calling Browns Spotlight, we are going to take a look at the Browns current positional situations and whether or not they need to be upgraded or left alone. We will also explore whether or not we feel that the team would be best suited to fill their needs via the NFL Draft or free agency. We hope you all enjoy and look forward to hearing all your comments and concerns in The Bone Yard forums.

We have now looked at the quarterback, running back and tight end positions for the Cleveland Browns. This week we will take a look at the state of the Browns current offensive tackles.

Heading into 2006 the Browns looked to have made major improvements to their offensive line. One of those improvements was the addition of a new starting left tackle, Kevin Shaffer from Atlanta. Shaffer's acquisition did not come without it's questions though. In Atlanta he was the left tackle, but it was for Michael Vick, a left handed QB. Vick also is the most athletic and mobile WB in the NFL. Many times bailing his line out on bad blocking assignments. In Cleveland he would be responsible for protecting the QB's blind side and would not have the luxury of having Vick. To put it mildly, if he was bad he would be exposed.

That seemed like a big risk when you took all those factors and then added the million dollar contract he garnered. G.M. Phil Savage said it was not an ideal situation, but the team really had no other choice. The Lions Jeff Backus was franchised, L.J. Shelton, the Browns left tackle in 2005, was not going to be re-signed and the drafts best linemen D'Brickashaw Ferguson was not going to fall to the Browns.

Shaffer's start in 2006 was anything, but stellar. On the teams very 1st play from scrimmage QB Charlie Frye hit WR Braylon Edwards for a 70+ yard TD against the Saints. Unfortunately for the Browns and Shaffer there was a flag on the play, offensive holding on Shaffer. The Browns went on to lose the game, 19-14, and fans were not happy. Shaffer did not let that one play ruin his season though, in fact he ended up being the best offensive linemen for them in 2006. Granted being the best linemen on a horrible offensive line isn't saying much, but Shaffer was solid by any standard. Was he worth the big signing bonus and contract, probably not, but he got it and the Browns have him.

It's hard to say how good Shaffer would have been if the guard play would have been better around him, hell if the QB play was better. One thing is sure though, he is as good as any left tackle the team has had since returning to the NFL in 1999. Shaffer was also able to play in every game for the Browns in 2006, a small feat in and of itself when you add up all the time missed due to injury on the offensive line.

On the right side of the line the Browns looked to have been set with veteran Ryan Tucker. Tucker has been the teams best linemen for at least 3 years and seemed to be only getting better with age. Right tackle seemed to be the least of the teams worries. Tucker did have off-season knee surgery and missed most of training camp and pre-season, but that was not going to be a big deal once the season started. Tucker's knee never gave him another problem in 2006, it was what no one could see that hampered the tackle from Texas.

In week 7, against the Denver Broncos, it was reported that Tucker was ill at the end of the game. It would be the last action he would see until week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons. The return was to be a short one however as Tucker ended up on season ending IR just 3 weeks later. It was a very odd time for the media and fans of the Browns. No one had any information as to what was wrong with Tucker, just that he was not well. Only after Tucker went on IR was it revealed that he was suffering from mental illness. Something that is believed to not only be season ending for Tucker, but also career ending as well. Tucker has told Browns head coach Romeo Crennel that he plans on returning to the team in 2007. Whether he can contribute is an entirely different question altogether.

Thankfully for the Browns they had the foresight to sign veteran right tackle Kelly Butler off of waivers earlier in the year. Butler has played the previous 3 seasons with the Detroit Lions and was called upon to fill in for Tucker. Although he is not the best pass protector, Butler is a very solid run blocker and right now, depending on Tucker's status, would be the odd's on favorite to start in 2007. Unfortunately Butler finished his 2006 season on IR as well, suffering an injury to his left foot. Butler signed a deal with the Browns in January of 2007 to assure he will be with the team through the end of 2008.

When Butler did go down, Nat Dorsey stepped in to play RT. Dorsey at one time was thought of as a very good prospect coming out of college, but has looked very shaky as a pro. He not only struggles at pass protection, he simply stinks at it. Some of that could be the fact that he is just not in good football shape. Dorsey is as tall as Butler and weighs about 10 pounds more, but looks a lot more flabby and out of shape. Dorsey is still very young, just 23, so the Browns are hoping he can grow into a solid linemen and provide much needed depth. Dorsey is the swing tackle and will move to the left side if needed. Thankfully for the Browns Shaffer stayed healthy in 2007.

So knowing that the depth at tackle is limited and the future of Ryan Tucker is unknown, would the Browns address the tackle positions in free agency. No doubt they feel Shaffer is solid on the left side, but they can't feel confident in Dorsey backing him up. Butler is a decent back up for Tucker if he does return and will be an adequate starter if he can't. Dorsey is project still and the team could really use better depth at the backup spots. The Browns could look at signing an upper tier player like Leonard Davis and have him play RT, but that is very unlikely. They will no doubt look to sign a journeymen to backup both tackle positions. Names like Marc Columbo and Jordan Black could be considered. Both have starting experience and would give the Browns much needed depth, could start and would not cost a lot of money.

Well then what about the draft? The name of one Joe Thomas is being bantered around. Thomas is believed to be the cream of the crop of this years offensive linemen. Thomas played for the run happy and dominant Wisconsin Badgers and is naturally a much better run blocker then pass protector. Some have said he is better then D'Brickashaw Ferguson and some have compared him to Robert Gallery. One thing that seems to be certain, no one is convinced he is a can't miss prospect. No one is comparing him to Jonathan Ogden or Orlando Pace either. Knowing that and the fact that the Browns need play makers desperately, makes it highly unlikely that Thomas would be the 1st pick. That does not mean they won't look for a solid tackle prospect after that though. Names like Tennessee's Aaron Sears and Central Michigan's Joe Staley will be around in round 2. The Browns will probably choose to wait a little while longer to pick a tackle though. They have only picked 2 offensive linemen on day 1 of the draft since returning in 1999. Last year they selected tackle Isaac Sowells from Indiana, but have yet to figure out if he's a guard or tackle.

Although offensive tackle is not the teams most pressing position of need, the lack of depth and questions surrounding the health of incumbent starters means it will be addressed this off-season. Look for the Browns to look at acquiring a veteran swing tackle in free agency. If they can't find what they need there a day 2 pick in the 2007 draft will be used to add to the teams depth on the line.

Next week we will look at another position of great interest to Browns fans, the offensive guards.

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