Perhaps the biggest buzzword around the Cleveland Browns offense this offseason is “wide zone”. The new blocking scheme that head coach Kevin Stefanski brings with him from Minnesota is a very specific style that requires a specific type of athletic offensive lineman to play it.
Veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan firmly believes the Browns smartly found one of those specific talents in right tackle Jack Conklin. He praised the scheme fit for the prized free agent, who played his first four years with the Titans. Conklin has some experience with wide zone principles but has never done it as the base scheme.
Callahan has zero worries about Conklin’s ability to adapt in Cleveland.
“You talk about a system fit,” Callahan stated in a Zoom appearance on Cleveland Browns Daily. “You couldn’t get a more perfect tackle in free agency than Jack. He fits the mode for the wide zone game and his pass protection sets, how he short sets and he jumps at the line of scrimmage, which is a tough skill to acquire. Then, of course, in third down and later downs, you can watch him set vertically, and you can see his variance of sets.”
Callahan is excited to work with Conklin in person once the coronavirus pandemic restrictions allow it. He knows he will like what Conklin offers to the Browns as one of the two new starting tackles.
“He has the toolbox and he has the skill set to do quite well. What I really like about Jack is he’s a player that’s really thirsty for new techniques and new ways of doing things. He’s wide open from that aspect. I’m really looking forward to digging down in the trenches with him and seeing how we can tweak some things and help his game.”
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