Life after Thomas: Browns trying guard Joel Bitonio at left tackle
For the first time since 2006, the Cleveland Browns enter training camp with questions at left tackle.
Shon Coleman was expected to get the first crack at replacing franchise legend Joe Thomas. However, in Wednesday's training camp practice, guard Joel Bitonio was given first-team reps at left tackle, according to Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com.
With Bitonio at tackle, the Browns moved rookie Austin Corbett to guard to fill in for the four-year lineman.
Despite playing at guard for his entire career, Bitonio apparently held his own against Myles Garrett, the team's top pass-rusher.
So far Joel Bitonio is doing pretty decent in pass pro vs. Myles Garrett
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) August 1, 2018
According to Labbe, Coleman returned to his usual spot later in practice, before again ceding the position to Bitonio.
By the Browns' own admission, the switch to the 26-year-old is a desperate move to try and solidify Tyrod Taylor's protection.
"That's the last (option)," Browns offensive line coach Bob Wylie said Monday of moving Bitonio to left tackle, according to Jeff Schudel of The Morning Journal. "Like if you're going to go A down, that would be Z."