Whoever plays left tackle Sunday will have spent the week in a crash course on how to block the best.
Desmond Harrison and Greg Robinson have been taking turns blocking Myles Garrett this week. Garrett's seen them both up close, so reporters asked him how he thought Robinson was playing in practice.
"I've seen he's been working with me," Garrett said. "I feel like if he can keep up with me, he can keep up with most guys."
Garrett's not wrong. He's evolved into one of the league's elite pass rushers, so blocking him is as close to blocking the best as the Browns left tackles can get. We still don't know who will have that responsibility this week, though.
"It could be either one," Williams said when asked who would start on Sunday. "They are both rolling."
-- The Browns O-line fraternity is hosting another reunion at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.
This week it's Alex Mack making his return for the first time since joining the Atlanta Falcons. Mack played his first seven seasons with the Browns, staying just long enough to mentor a young left guard named Joel Bitonio.
Bitionio said he's given his defensive teammates his insider scouting report on Mack. Mack plays physical until the whistle blows and not one second sooner. And he's good, very good. Bitonio wishes he could point to Mack's fatal flaw, but he isn't sure it exists.
"Alex is one of the best centers in the game," Bitonio said. "I don't remember anything where it was like, 'Man, this guy can't handle the bull rush.' I just said, 'Make sure you bring your 'A' game because (Mack) is a good player."
— Last Sunday was a start for Greg Joseph.
After missing a field goal and an extra point in Pittsburgh, Joseph made a career-long 51-yard field goal against Kansas City.
All indications are that Joseph bought some job security with his long kick last week. But whether or not he's settled in to the NFL remains to be seen. The ball gets snapped a yard back in the NFL; the kickers don't get same selection of footballs. In college, they can choose whatever ball they want. In the pros, teams prepare two balls each. And unless someone kicks or throws one into the stands, the kickers are stuck with those. So while last week was an encouraging sign, Joseph still has some adjusting to do.
"Generally, it is going to take about a year for a guy to settle into this game," special teams coordinator Amos Jones said. "I have had young punters, I have had young kickers. Every situation is going to be different. It was good to see him get a long ball because he has that type of leg."
— Christian Kirksey has fewer reasons to smile this week but that's not going to stop him from doing so.
Kirksey was place on the injured reserve list this week, ending his season. He had high expectations for himself and the Browns this year. Playoffs, Pro Bowl, maybe more.
Those dreams are dead now. But Kirksey's still the heart and soul of the defense, as Joe Schobert put it. Kirksey can at least still be that.
"You are still going to see a smile on my face," Kirksey said. "Nothing really is going to change as far as how I am approaching helping this team. Unfortunately, I will be off of the field."
