Browns line adjusting on fly

By Nate Ulrich

Akron Beacon Journal

BEREA

The Cleveland Browns will enter their regular-season opener Sunday with a makeshift offensive line.

Coach Pat Shurmur has yet to name a starting left guard, and right tackle Tony Pashos wore a walking boot on his left leg Monday.

So how soon must the line assemble to adequately prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals?

“As soon as possible,” left tackle Joe Thomas said. “Obviously, [the coaches] got to go through what they got to go [through] to figure out who’s going to be the starters where. So I don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

Artis Hicks could be the solution to at least one of the problems. He practiced with the team after signing a one-year deal on Monday. The Browns waived offensive lineman Pat Murray to make room on their 53-man roster.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Hicks started 68 of the 109 regular-season games in which he has appeared. His starts have been at left tackle (eight), left guard (27), right guard (30) and right tackle (three).

Last season, Hicks started 10 games at right guard for the Washington Redskins, but he lost his starting job and never regained it after suffering a groin injury. The Redskins cut Hicks, 32, on Saturday.

“Every opportunity you get is a blessing because I know so many guys that came in with me or after me that are at home doing something else,” said Hicks, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2002. “Every day you get to come out here, go to work and be a part of a team, it’s a blessing.

“So, you just have to be optimistic about it and make the most out of every situation because one thing we all know is this is not guaranteed for any of us.”

Hicks could start at left guard, but rookie Jason Pinkston continued to fill that role on Monday. The 6-4, 305-pound Pinkston started the team’s final two exhibition games in the spot previously held by Eric Steinbach, who’s out for the season after undergoing back surgery Aug. 30. Pinkston said he is ready to compete with Hicks or anyone else.

There’s also a chance Hicks could start at right tackle if Pashos isn’t able to play. John Greco (Boardman High) is another candidate.