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December 7, 2015Cleveland Indians showing “intense” interest in Shane Victorino
December 7, 2015The Cleveland Browns crushing loss against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday began with a litany of early injuries including Gary Barnidge and Joel Bitonio leaving in the first quarter. While Barnidge would re-emerge, Bitonio did not as Cameron Erving was left to man the left guard position. On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns confirmed worst fears for Bitonio when ESPN’s Field Yates was first to report the ankle injury Bitonio suffered would put him on the season-ending injured reserve list.
In a corresponding move, the Browns claimed Gabe Ikard from the Buffalo Bills.
Congrats to @GabeIkard on being claimed by the @Browns! #PlayersRep
— Ken Sarnoff (@KenSarnoff) December 7, 2015
Joel Bitonio has been a rare bright spot on the otherwise sullied resume of Ray Farmer’s drafts. Bitonio burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2014 by immediately grabbing the left guard starting position for his own. After rampaging through the league as a rookie, he was a rare rookie offensive lineman who received Pro Bowl considerations though he ultimately was not selected.
In his sophomore NFL season, Bitonio has not demonstrated quite the same dominance he had in his rookie year, but he was far from an issue as he dropped from being a near-elite player to merely an above-average player.
Cameron Erving, Bitonio’s likely starting replacement at left guard, will not face any defensive lineman tougher lining up against the Bengals Geno Atkins. However, Erving struggled mightily against the All-Pro player as Atkins disrupted many plays despite not registering a tackle or sack. Erving was even replaced by Austin Pasztor late in the contest.
Whether Erving, Pasztor, or even Ikard starts on Sunday, none can rest against defensive lineman Quinton Dial of the San Francisco 49ers. The second-year Alabama product is coming off his finest professional performance as he recorded seven solo tackles in the 49ers overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. Hopefully, Erving can step up into the starting role and begin to validate the first-round selection Ray Farmer utilized to grab him in the 2015 NFL Draft.
5 Comments
No wonder JFF is starting. I suspect the Four Letter will dub the game highlights to this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6TXMsvgQg
at least Manziel can attempt to get out of the way. really hoping Erving shows something better over these last few weeks.
since the season is lost, might as well let Gilbert, Manziel, and Erving get as much experience as they can (along with Gaines, Orchard, etc.)
Hence the music. I fully expect JFF to spend his day scampering around like Benny Hill in his closing credits.
Outstanding. Post of the week.
http://i.imgur.com/jiWND5Q.gif