Shon Coleman likes that he practices at both RT and LT

With a much improved offensive line this season, there is one crucial question that remains: who will be the starter at right tackle? Although Cam Erving has spent some time there, Shon Coleman seems to be in the driver’s seat to get the starting nod come September 10 when the Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener.

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The one odd part about the situation is that when left tackle Joe Thomas sits out of practice, which is more often than not for the veteran, head coach Hue Jackson moves Coleman to left tackle and puts Erving at right tackle, rather than allow Coleman as much practice time as possible at the position that he will likely play. Although many have questioned the decision to move Coleman away from right tackle, it seems as though he likes that the head coach allows him to move around. Following Monday’s practice, Coleman talked about being able to practice on both sides of the line throughout training camp. “By now, I am pretty comfortable at both sides so whether it is playing left tackle or right tackle, you just have to go out there and work your technique and everything,” he said. “It is good work for me to be able to go on both sides and be able to keep refreshing everything as far as assignments and things like that.”

Even while switching back and forth between the right side and left side of the offensive line, the second-year lineman is happy with the way he has performed so far in camp and continues to try to improve on some of his biggest weaknesses while sharpening the things he is best at. “I am doing well so far.” said Coleman. “I just have to buckle down on a couple things technique-wise and just be more consistent.”

In 2017, one of the Browns’ biggest strengths will be their ground attack. That’s not only because of how good their offensive line is, but also because of running back Isaiah Crowell (with Duke Johnson mixed in as well). Luckily for Coleman, his run blocking is one of his best skills and has always been one of the biggest elements of his game. “Definitely. That is what I take pride in is in the run-game knocking people off the ball, being as physical as I can. That is the way I am trying to help the team,” he said. “In the SEC, all we did was run the football so you kind of derive from that. That is the big thing that (Head) Coach (Hue) Jackson is trying to put in the game is running the ball, and I feel like I can go out there and help him do that.”

He knows how good Isaiah Crowell is, but it’s up to Coleman and the rest of the offensive line to create holes for their running back to run through and make plays. “He is a hard runner. He is a very physical runner. He can hit the hole, and that just makes our job more important to make a hole for him. We know he will get in there.”

After playing in just seven games during his rookie season in 2016, Coleman was named the starting right tackle for the first preseason game last Thursday (and will likely hold that spot going forward). Although he was proud of himself for that, he knows that he must continue to improve. The better he becomes, the better the offensive line is, which in turn will mean the better the offense is. “I just have to keep going out there and doing my thing, working on the technique, getting better, being more consistent and just trying to make the team better,” he said. ” Like I said, I just go out there, do my thing and just try to get the team better. I leave that up to the coaches and everything, how they want to do the depth charts. I am just focused on what I can do to get the team better.”

After Coleman didn’t play much his rookie season, it appears he is going to do whatever is necessary to maintain his starting position at right tackle and say on the field.