Cameron Erving's offseason workout program ended with some time on the sidelines as he dealt with a minor injury.
Where he lines up at the start of training camp promises to be one of the Browns' biggest storylines one month from now, and it received a little bit of clarity Thursday, when new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo addressed reporters to wrap up mini-camp.
"Day 1 of training camp, right guard. Probably right guard," DeFilippo said. "Then we'll always mix him in a little bit at center and always mix him in a little bit at left tackle. If I had to guess, I'd say right guard."
Because of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack's ongoing recovery from a leg injury and Joe Thomas' occasional days of rest, Erving played all five positions at some point throughout the Browns' offseason workout program. When he played right guard during 11-on-11 sessions, he was typically positioned between John Greco at center and Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle.
The absence of Mack, in particular, made it tough to gauge just where Erving could be the best fit, offensive line coach Andy Moeller said last week, but that situation will be remedied at training camp, when Mack is expected to be full go.
"Cam will surface where Cam surfaces," Moeller said. "It's really going to be determined on how everything fits together."
No matter what happens, the Browns will have a player they believe to be of starting quality coming off the bench when the season opens against the New York Jets. Both Greco, who started 15 games at right guard last season, and Schwartz have practiced with the kind of intensity that will make the decision even tougher.
Browns quarterback Josh McCown lauded Greco for how well he's played at multiple positions and DeFilippo highlighted Schwartz's improvement in pass protection. Schwartz, a former second-round pick, hasn't missed a single snap since he began his Cleveland career in 2012.
"I really like those two guys," DeFilippo said. "Our offensive line, this is as talented a group, as smart a group as I've been around. They're exactly what you want in an offensive line."
Erving has been quick to highlight the talented players around him when he talks about his progression from Florida State to the NFL. He's been asked to tackle more positions than the two he played as a senior with the Seminoles, but he's yet to feel overwhelmed. He admitted there was "uncertainty" with his personal situation, but that could be applied to just about every position on the roster, as Browns coaches seek to instill competition across the field when training camp begins.
Erving's intelligence and versatility were among the top assets Cleveland valued when it selected him 19th overall in this year's draft, and he's carried them over to the NFL.
"It's a little more taxing but I love it. I love the process, every moment of it," Erving said. "I don't really think of it in a negative way, but more of 'hey, what can I do?' The more value I have, the more I add to the team."
