Browns offensive line coach Andy Dickerson is taking the perfect approach to replacing Bill Callahan
Today marked the end of OTAs for the Cleveland Browns as they wrapped up their week of mandatory minicamp. Now, players and staff will have just over a month off before they’re back to start training camp and the grind to the 2024 NFL season. Through OTAs, we’ve been able to see the new parts […]
Today marked the end of OTAs for the Cleveland Browns as they wrapped up their week of mandatory minicamp. Now, players and staff will have just over a month off before they’re back to start training camp and the grind to the 2024 NFL season.
Through OTAs, we’ve been able to see the new parts of the Browns with the additions they have made this offseason. One of those additions is offensive line coach Andy Dickerson, who is replacing Bill Callahan. Coming into the job, Dickerson is taking the perfect approach that you want to see. Dickerson admitted that he is not trying to fill any shoes, instead, he is himself.
“Like Bill’s one of the best in the game. And that’s, you know, and the good thing is I was brought here to be Andy Dickerson, not to be Bill,” Dickerson told the media on Thursday. “And again, like I said, I’m a flip-flop guy, not a shoe guy. So, there’s no point even trying to slide into those things. But yeah, there’s some carryover. And I talked to the guys and it’s like, ‘Oh, I remember we used to call it this and, hey, I want to call it this. And they’re like, okay, cool. Hey, this means this now.’ So, it’s just a translation game because again, you’re still getting, it’s still a zone, it’s still a gap trap. So different techniques, different styles, but they’ve done a lot of good things here. So, I’m learning from these guys different techniques and different things and trying to figure out the best way to incorporate everything.”
Callahan was with Cleveland for the last four seasons before joining his son in Tennessee with the Titans. The Browns hired Dickerson to take over after he was an assistant with the Seattle Seahawks for the last three seasons.
“Andy’s very smart,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He knows that he needs to be the best version of himself. I think when you get in trouble in any line of work, in this case in coaching, when you try to be something you’re not. So, he’s going to be himself. He’s going to do it how he knows how to do it with a ton of help. We got some great coaches on this staff and, obviously, some players that have done a nice job. But when you are coming into a position like Andy’s coming in and I’m sure there are others that have been in similar positions, you just have to worry about being the best version of yourself.”
Dickerson will have some quality pieces to work with. Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller are among the best guards in the NFL. When Jack Conklin is healthy, he is a Pro Bowl-level player in the NFL. Dawand Jones proved he belongs as a rookie and looks to have a bright future after being a fourth-round selection.
It is tough to replace an assistant like Callahan who is regarded as probably the NFL’s top offensive line coach. Cleveland was able to hire a quality coach who may be a future offensive coordinator before we know it and that is a win they’ll take with all things considered.
Browns CB Denzel Ward comments on what could be next for teammate Martin Emerson Jr.
Together, the duo is among the NFL’s best.
