NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Remember a few years back the Browns offensive line didn't win to many battles in the trenches? We have seen what a bad offensive lines can do to Quarterbacks and it's not a pretty sight. Those days are behind us and the key to a winning team is their offensive line and we got a pretty good group here in Cleveland.

Alex Mack

The Browns traded back a few times in the 2009 draft to finally select Alex Mack. Mack started all 16 games for the Browns last season. He did make a few rookie mistakes this past season but seemed to work them out over the course his first year. He is entering into his second season and should be a rock on this line for this year and years to come.

Eric Steinbach

The Guard from Iowa is entering his fourth year as a Brown. He started all but two games since he joined the team in 2007. Steinbach struggled a little bit last season but overall had another good year for the team and should continue his success in 2010.

John St. Clair

St. Clair is entering his 12thyear in the league and second here in Cleveland. St. Clair seemed to struggle last season with the Browns. Hopefully the veteren Tackle can rebound from last years struggles and compete this year for a starting position. John would start on many offensive lines in the league and at least adds depth to the position for the Browns.

Tony Pashos

Pashos is playing for his fourthteam in seven years after being drafted by  the Ravens in 2003. Tony has had a problem with injuries in the past but (I know it is a huge but) if he can stay healthy should could be a Starter on the Line. He is an aggressive and talented lineman that can help this football team this season.

Joe Thomas

The name says it all. If not the best Tackle in the NFL no question top 5 best offensive linemen in the league. Joe only gave up one sack last season and has anchored the Browns offensive line since the team drafted him. The kid from Wisconsin has been the Browns best draft pick since the team has returned in 99.

Floyd Womack

"Pork Chop" started nine games for the team in 2009. He adds depth to the position and is an experienced player who can still play the game at a pretty high level. Womack like St. Clair would start for a lot of offensive lines across the league.

Eric Ghiaciuc

Ghiaciuc was drafted by the Bengals in 2005 and started all 16 games for the team in 2008. Ghiaciuc was signed by the Browns to add depth to the O-line and back up Alex Mack. Eric can also play guard and should contribute in 2010.

Shawn Lauvao

Lauvao drafted in the second round from Arizona State could compete for a starting job with the team at some point this season. Lauvao is 6?2 315 Ilbs and is a football player that can play his position. The team has veterans that should show the Shawn the ropes of being an NFL lineman. I expect Lauvao to start for this football team next to Alex Mack.

The Browns have  couple undrafted guys trying to make the team this season. A couple names to remember are Billy Yates and Joel Reindeers. Reindeers is 6-7 320 Ilbs and looks like a football player.

The up and down career of Titans QB Vince Young may be taking a serious hit today, as a report from a Dallas TV station says that Young is the “prime suspect in a a Saturday night assault at a Dallas strip club.”

The assault caused an injury to one person, that according to an official with the Dallas Police Department said Sunday.
While as of now no warrant has been issued for the QB or anyone else, the police said that Young is the prime suspect.

A fight took place after some verbal punches were thrown at the strip club called “Club Onyx”, and police believe Young left the scene before officers arrived, a DPD official said.

Young is coming off a comeback season with the Titans, and unless something drastic happens (like this maybe?!) he is expected to be the starter under center when the season begins for Tennessee in September.

He was the third overall pick in the NFL Draft in 2006. He is known for leading his alma mater, the University of Texas, to a national championship in 2006. He threw for 467 yards in that win against the University of Southern California.

It’s not the first off field issue Young has had while in the NFL. Back in September of 2008, Young left his home without his cell phone. The reasons given were that Young was upset over being booed by fans after throwing a second interception against the visiting Jaguars the previous day and the sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee suffered four plays after head coach Jeff Fisher prodded him back into the game.

Young postponed a doctor’s examination till the following day. After speaking to members of Young’s family, Fisher called Nashville police. After a four-hour search, they found Young, who agreed to meet with Fisher and police at the team’s training facility.

Vince Young’s agent, Major Adams, told ESPN reporter George Smith that he didn’t know why the story has taken on a life of its own, and stated that the incident was “blown out of proportion” and called any perceived depression or emotional problems suffered by his client “unfounded.” However, Young’s therapist told Fisher that Young mentioned suicide several times before driving away from his home with a gun.

It is starting to sound more and more like Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez simply is going to be ‘one of those players’ that is going to struggle in his NFL career staying on the field due to health reasons.

The latest from the Indy Star is that Gonzalez suffered another injury this past week at Colts OTA’s, one that didn’t have anything to do with the injury that caused him to miss almost the entire 2009 season.

The Indianapolis Colts had a pretty good season last year, by any estimation (though perhaps it would have been better without that last interception — not to nitpick or anything). But it’s important to remember that Payton Manning and company were without one of their key offensive weapons for the entire season. Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss virtually the entire season. Gonzalez was back on the field for OTAs last week, but sat out the final days with an apparent injury. Coach Jim Caldwell said the new injury was unrelated to last season’s and that Gonzalez would be ready to fully participate in training camp.

With Reggie Wayne not happy with his deal, the Colts are counting on Gonzalez to come back and have a solid season for the club. This clearly is not the type of start he nor the team wanted.

It seems to be taking quite awhile for former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook to decide where he is going to continue his NFL career. The back has had an offer on the table from the Redskins for some time now, but as the National Football Post reports today, no clear decision has been made, and no one now seems to really know when a decision by Westbrook will be made.

The Redskins have made Westbrook an offer, and coach Mike Shanahan said earlier this week he had no idea what the status of that was. Westbrook has also visited the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams.

"We're still working our way through the process now," Westbrook told Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Times. "Really there's no clear-cut favorite. But I want to go to a good football team, a team that can win. And I do know Washington does have a very good program. And some of these other teams I'm interested in, as well."

Perhaps Westbrook, who suffered two concussions last season, is waiting to see if any openings become available in August when injuries can shake up depth charts. It's interesting that Washington has offered him as the Redskins already have three backs on the downside of their careers on the roster – Cliton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.

"Would I like (Westbrook) to come join us? I would love that," McNabb said. "But I know this game and how it goes. And we have three running backs who can run the ball."

Sounds like Westbrook might be holding out either for more money from one of the teams already in the mix, or is hoping another team last minute may jump in and offer him more money. Brian shouldn’t hold his breath on that one.