Can Mike Matthews challenge for Browns center job?
Cameron Erving is penciled in as the starting center for the Cleveland Browns in 2016, but that job could be in jeopardy with the signing of undrafted free agent Mike Matthews.
Could a former first round pick just about to enter his second season actually lose his starting job to an undrafted rookie? That is the harsh reality Browns center Cameron Erving could be facing right now. Erving struggled immensely in his rookie season, and if he continues to struggle, recently brought in rookie Mike Matthews could be waiting to take the job right from underneath him.
When the Browns selected Erving with their second first round pick in 2015 (19th overall)the move raised some eye brows. Erving was clearly the best center on the board, but Cleveland already had arguably the best center in the league on their roster in Alex Mack. The front office quickly dismissed the idea that the team was drafting Erving to replace Mack (who was set to be a free agent at the end of the year) and it had everything to do with Erving’s versatility.
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Erving failed to crack the starting lineup until week ten when he finally came in to start at guard. Erving ended up starting four games in 2015 (all at guard) and he struggled in every one of them. The versatility that the Browns had promised from Erving was not there, and Erving was starting to look like an instant bust.
Erving will get a fresh start with the new regime and a chance to play the position many think he is best suited for at center in 2016. The door is wide open for Erving to take the starting center job this year. Joe Thomas has stated that he believes that Erving has really stepped up from what he’s seen so far in OTAs. Erving better slam the door shut on the competition while he has the opportunity to do so.
If Erving struggles at all during training camp or into the season undrafted free agent Mike Matthews will be right there to stake his claim. Matthews has everything you look for in a center from a strength, mentality, toughness and technique aspect he just lacks one crucial thing, size. At 6’2” 290 pounds, Matthews needs to add weight and play with flawless technique to not be exposed by the bigger opposition in the trenches.
Despite not even being invited to the NFL combine, Matthews had a strong showing on the bench at his pro day when he put up thirty reps at 225 pounds.
Matthews is a bulldog who comes from a great bloodline, with his father being NFL great Bruce Matthews and his uncle being former Browns legend Clay Matthews. If anyone can overcome the odds it would be smart money to put it on the guy from the Matthews DNA pool.
Matthews must prove himself in training camp and focus on making the team before he can be considered a true threat to Erving and the starting center job, but the odds are coaches will fall in love with what Matthews brings to the table.
Erving is the favorite as it stands right now to be the Browns starting center in 2016, but there is a lot of time between now and the first game of the season for Matthews to close that gap and give Erving a run for his money.
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