Silence is golden when it comes to right tackles. The less you hear about them, the better they're doing.
Nobody has talked much about Cleveland Browns rookie right tackle Mitchell Schwartz since his tough preseason and regular season debuts. That's because he's developing into one of the most dependable players on the team -- and arguably its finest rookie. The upgrade to Schwartz from 2011 starter Tony Pashos has been perhaps the most significant of any position turnover on the Browns.
The performance of the second-round pick has played a huge role in the offensive line emerging as one of the better units in the NFL, particularly in pass protection. And it has resulted in comparisons between Schwartz and Browns left tackle Joe Thomas. Thomas has earned a Pro Bowl spot every year in the league. Offensive coordinator Brad Childress believes the comparisons are valid.
"I would say they're very, very, very similar," Childress said. "Aside from one plays in the left hand stance, one plays in the right hand stance. I see those same atributes of being able to sit down against the rush. Joe was probably ahead of him in terms of the hand fighting and using his arms, using his length, but Mitchell is a very quick study and he rarely makes the same mistake twice whether it's during the course of a game or correcting him in practice.
"I think he's the chief note taker for that group. I believe he's the guy that everybody gets the cliff notes from when they go back. He's the scribe, if I'm not mistaken."
Schwartz has been described as the most intelligent player on the team. His eagerness to learn and hone his craft has certainly impressed Thomas.
"He pays a great deal of attention to detail and his technique," Thomas said. "He takes a very cerebral approach to his position, which is how I approached things my rookie year. I've really enjoyed having Mitchell here."
Thomas added that he meets with Schwartz for nearly an hour after team meetings to discuss pass rushing styles of defensive ends and outside linebackers in upcoming games.
Monsoon in the Browns' future? Sunday's opponent, the Oakland Raiders, owns one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. But the Browns might be unable to take advantage. Mother Nature could tame both passing offenses if the weather predictions are accurate. A torrential downpour, flood-like conditions and a 25-mile-an-hour wind are expected.
Wide receiver Greg Little said the only games he has played in the rain have been since joining the Browns last year. He understands that he must brace for much worse than a light shower.
"I have to concentrate on making the catch, not yards after the catch," he said. "The ball can be super slippery."
Coach Pat Shurmur joked about the storm when asked about it during his Thursday press conference.
"I'm not a meteorologist -- I'm going to handle that in the offseason," he said. "The reports are that it's supposed to rain throughout the week, so we'll prepare for it. Our guys do a pretty good job of holding onto the football. The challenge will be the same for both teams, and then we'll see what the field conditions are like."
Shurmur said his team is familiar with playing in adverse conditions. The 7-6 win over San Diego in Cleveland featured high winds and a cold rain.
"Those conditions were less than ideal," he said. "You saw it did affect some of the play selection. It was a little bit tighter by both teams. When you add rain and win, it changes some of what teams do naturally."
The good news for the Browns is that the Raiders are also terrible against the run. They are yielding an average of 4.7 yards per carry, which ranks 28th in the league. Tampa Bay rookie back exploded for 251 yards and four touchdowns against them earlier in the year in Oakland.
A win Winn situation: Rookie defensive lineman Billy Winn has been used extensively on the outside after spending most of the season at tackle. The return to health of starting tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor has pushed Winn out of the starting lineup and given him more rest, but he has continued to play well.
Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron is particularly impressed with Winn, who snagged a key interception Sunday in the defeat of Pittsburgh.
"He's very quick and explosive," Jauron said. "He's a big man. He's so explosive he can penetrate a gap and he can get the edge on a blocker, which is really the issue. He's a talented young man. He works really hard at it."
Bits and pieces: The likely return of featured back Darren McFadden to the Oakland lineup Sunday has defensive coordinator Dick Jauron concerned. "He's faster than players generally have a feel for," he said. "You've got to have an edge on every defense, but he can outrun your force and still turn the corner and gain yards." ... The Browns' next three opponents -- Oakland, Kansas City and Washington -- have given up 68 touchdown passes among them. The Raiders and Redskins are tied for last in the NFL with 23; the Chiefs have surrendered 22.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter at @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.
