The Cleveland Browns hired veteran offensive line coordinator Bill Callahan during the offseason.
Thus far, his imprint on the offensive line is very positive.
All you need to do is look at how well the offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and opened holes for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to plow through to know that Callahan is making an impact.
Week 3 vs. Callahan’s Former Team
The Browns knew hiring Callahan would help them with a young offensive line confronted with an abbreviated training camp.
In today’s game, they are hoping his inside knowledge of his former team, the Washington Football Team, could help the Browns against a very competitive and stacked defensive line.
The #Browns have a top-5 OL unit in the NFL. Absolute road graders in the run game and keeping Baker clean in the pass game.
Jedrick Wills Jr, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin.
And they are coached by the best in the business – Bill Callahan.
Whew. pic.twitter.com/ytZrggRXcd
— Mayfield Garrett Era 🐶(1-1) (@MylesOffTheEdge) September 26, 2020
Zone Blocking Scheme
Callahan has made a career out of teaching teams how to excel at the zone blocking scheme.
The zone blocking scheme originated in the glory days of the mid-1990s Denver Broncos and Terrell Davis (TD).
And many attribute it to TD’s success and the Broncos winning 2 Super Bowls.
How Zone Blocking Works
The beauty of zone blocking is that it is not complicated.
There are not multiple plays designed.
It is derived from how the opposing team’s defense lines up.
Instead of players on the offensive line blocking a specific defensive player, they block the player in their zone.
Callahan’s History
Bill Callahan’s football resume is immense.
It’s not really an understatement to say he’s been everywhere.
He has been in the college and pro ranks for the past 40 years.
Callahan has served as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach throughout his career.
He coached the Oakland Raiders to the 2002 AFC Championship but ultimately lost the Super Bowl to his former boss Jon Gruden who was traded from Oakland to Tampa Bay.
Callahan and Jedrick Wills
Bill Callahan preaches preparation and progression.
He believes continuous improvement is key, and his big project this year is transforming rookie first-round draft pick Jedrick Wills from an esteemed collegiate right tackle to a premier NFL left tackle.
In late August, Callahan talked about how he is preparing Wills:
“We are trying to give Jedrick as many different looks as possible, whether it is a speed rusher, a power rusher or a combination-type player. We are just trying to get as many different people on him to give him that exposure of the speed, quickness and power that he is going to face.”
Wills is in good hands.
After all, Callahan has helped former Pro Bowl players Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Brandon Scherff transition to different positions in the NFL.
Bill Callahan has an esteemed career of coaching young offensive line players to greatness so it’s really not a surprise that his hiring in Cleveland has already paid dividends two weeks into the season.
