With the recent retirement of Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio, it’s interesting to look back and see where he ranks in comparison to other offensive linemen from the Browns’ past. For much of Cleveland’s history, the team has built a reputation for strong, reliable offensive line play, producing many great players who have worn the uniform over the years.
A clear pick for top offensive lineman in Browns’ history is Hall of Famer Joe Thomas. He ranks among the greatest tackles of all time and was
an example of consistency during his years in Cleveland. is one of the greatest tackles of all time and was remarkably consistent in Cleveland. Bitonio demonstrated the same durability and consistency, starting all 178 games of his career. This made him the all-time leader in starts since the Browns returned to Cleveland in 1999. He earned the respect of both teammates and coaches and served as a leader by example throughout his time with the team.
It is challenging to compare guys like Bitonio and Thomas to offensive linemen from an entirely different era of football. Lou Groza, Gene Hickerson, Mike McCormack, and Dick Schafrath all certainly crack the top 10 of this list. Nonetheless, Bitonio’s 12-year career, where he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors, gives him a real case to be in the top 5 of this list.
Let me know what you think in the comments – Where does Joel Bitonio rank among all-time Cleveland Browns’ Offensive Linemen?
