QB Jameis Winston was about to be doused in green slime after winning Nickelodeon's 'NVP' award for his three-touchdown performance in the Browns' Week 8 win over the Ravens.
But, before the buckets of slime were dumped by the Browns offensive linemen, Winston made sure to shout out the guys who protected him all game.
"Congratulations to the Cleveland offensive linemen and their OK quarterback for winning the NVP," Winston said.
The Browns offensive line has evolved throughout the season as four different starters have missed time due to injury, forcing young players like T Dawand Jones and G Zak Zinter to step up.
Week 8 marked the seventh different starting offensive line combination for the Browns this season, as Jones made his first career start at left tackle and RG Wyatt Teller returned after missing four games due to a knee injury. Rounding out the offensive line in Week 8 was LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic and RT Jack Conklin.
The Browns offensive line allowed just two sacks and a season-low 11 quarterback pressures against the Ravens, per NFL Pro. With solid protection up front, Winston was able to throw for 334 yards, the most passing yards the Browns have had this season.
"I thought the protection was outstanding all day," head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game. "The guys really took the challenge of that. I thought the guys really gave Jameis time. I thought he was able to step up in pockets and he was able to get to his second, third, fourth read."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Los Angeles Chargers at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda and the safeties during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Director of High Performance Shaun Huls during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) and Offensive tackle Lorenzo Thompson (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Coaching Consultant Mike Vrabel during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Roy Istvan during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 30, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive Quality Control Coach Jeff Anderson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning/Sports Science Coach Josh Christovich during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Safety Trey Dean (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Coaching Consultant Mike Vrabel during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Head of Athlete Health and Performance and Strength and Conditioning Dustin Nabhan during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 31, 2024.
Jones had made five starts at right tackle this season before making the start on the left side against the Ravens. He made one start at Ohio State at left tackle but played right tackle for the majority of both his college and NFL career.
Bitonio said that he noticed Jones' dedication throughout the week leading up to making his first start at left tackle.
"I think he did a really good job," Bitonio said on Thursday. "He was focused all last week, had a good week at practice and it carried over to the game. I think all of us want a play or two back here or there, but I think for the most part he played really well."
Jedrick Wills Jr., who has started at left tackle when healthy this season, resumed practice on Wednesday and Thursday as a limited participant and was a full participant on Friday. If Wills does not start at left tackle, Jones said that he is staying ready should he get another start this week.
When he entered the game against the Ravens, Jones had the benefit of lining up next to a two-time All-Pro in Bitonio.
Bitonio returned to practice as a limited participant on Friday after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a foot injury. He does not carry an injury status going into Sunday's game.
"It's good to have Joel," Jones said. "He's next to me, he's the guy who makes everything go, who leads everything."
The 11-year veteran is a key leader of both the offensive line and the entire team, as a team captain and one of the longest-tenured Browns on the roster. As the Browns work in younger offensive linemen like Jones and Zinter, the leadership of Bitonio, Teller and other veterans has been crucial.
"During meetings you'll be up there coaching and be like, 'Hey Joel, anything to add on that?'" offensive line coach Andy Dickerson said on Thursday. "Those guys have always done a great job, Wyatt as well. And Ethan, one of the better ones I've been around in how knowledgeable he is, how smart he is, how detailed he is. And it's a great example to show how those guys work and prepare throughout the week. But those guys do a great job, just the o-line in general, of welcoming in everybody knowing you are going to need everybody at some point."
From communicating with Jones during the game to ensure he knows his blocking assignments to directing the rookie offensive linemen to don Halloween costumes before practice, Bitonio has grown from a young rookie looking up to veteran players like Joe Thomas to a veteran himself.
Before Zinter made his second career start against the Raiders in Week 4, Bitonio shared notes with him on his upcoming matchups, answering any questions the rookie had.
"I was just talking to him about understanding his assignment, understanding his responsibility, really who he's going against this week, trying to create a game plan that's going to help," Bitonio said.
As the Browns prepare for the challenge of stopping a talented Chargers defensive line, including four-time Pro Bowler DE Joey Bosa and three-time All-Pro OLB Khalil Mack, the developing chemistry between the unit will be key in protecting Winston.
Having Teller, who has made 72 starts for the Browns, back in the fold for the second straight week will certainly help the line's chemistry.
"He brings a physicality, a different mentality that helps the o-line," Dickerson said. "And so, it was good to have him back because you always like to see guys come back and work through these injuries and what he was doing to get himself ready to come back and to contribute, which he wanted to do desperately."
