Emerging RT Mitchell Schwartz awaits biggest test
When Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey was asked his impressions of Browns rookie right tackle Mitchell Schwartz on Wednesday, he admitted he knew little. Gailey said he needed to see more of Schwartz on film to offer an opinion.
That lack of knowledge might be considered an insult. After all, the Bills snagged tackle Cordy Glenn just four picks after the Browns selected Schwartz in the second round of the 2012 draft. One might assume Gailey would know a bit more about Schwartz unless he dismissed him as a top-tier NFL prospect.
Schwartz said his pre-draft contact with the Bills was "pretty standard." But if he makes the same leap as a run and pass blocker Sunday as he did from Week 1 to Week 2, Gailey might wish he had given him more consideration in the draft. The rookie performed far better against the Bengals than he did in the season opener against the Eagles.
He was particularly effective as a run blocker. Rookie featured back Trent Richardson ran often around and and through the right side, which helped him explode for 109 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown.
But Schwartz faces perhaps the sternest test of his young career Sunday when he lines up against Bills two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams. Williams is off to a painfully slow start with just three tackles and no sacks in two games, but Schwartz warned that double-teaming and game plans that call for backs to run away from his side of the field could have factored into those numbers. He claims he has seen nothing on film that would indicate a lack of production from Williams.
"He's a combination of everything," Schwartz said. "He's a big guy, he has long arms and he's fast. I remember his combine when everyone was shocked at how fast he was for his size. It's definitely going to be a test for myself. You get to see how good you are."
The same can be said for the entire offensive line against the Bills. The line has been the Browns' most productive all-around unit. The run blocking struggled in the opener against the Eagles before taking a giant leap forward last Sunday. The pass blocking has kept quarterback Brandon Weeden clean and generally in the pocket through two games.
But Schwartz understands that the Bills defensive front presents challenges. The foursome also includes emerging tackle Marcell Dareus and free agent right end Mark Anderson, who registered 10 sacks with New England in 2011.
"They have two really good defensive tackles who play hard and they have rotate three defensive ends in who are very good pass rushers and who are all good against the run," Schwartz said. "They're very good across the board."
Schwartz was very good himself against Philadelphia -- and Browns coach Pat Shurmur noticed. But Shurmur, who stressed that the Buffalo defensive line is among the best his team will face all season, added that Schwartz' progress must continue for him to thrive in the NFL.
"The defensive ends in this league all present problems," he said. "[Williams] is long and has great skill and ability, but every week presents a bigger test than the last. I thought [Schwartz] was more consistent with his pass and run blocking [on Sunday]."
If that progress continues on Sunday, Gailey might wish he had learned more about Mitchell Schwartz before the draft.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.
