Offensive line embraces new additions to the coaching staff and an experienced rookie

During the first week of organized team activities, the Browns’ offensive line heard a new voice during blocking drills.

Offensive line coach Andy Dickerson and assistant offensive line coach Roy Istvan led the drills for the linemen attending OTAs. After joining the Browns’ coaching staff in February, they completed their first official practices with the team.

“Coach Andy (Dickerson), he’s awesome,” said G Wyatt Teller. “He’s pushing us, ensuring we’re running, and getting to the right places. It’s a bit of a transition, but he learned under Bill (Callahan). So, a lot of his techniques and terminology are similar to Bill’s.”

Dickerson’s early coaching career included a stint with the New York Jets, where he served as a coaching assistant and defensive quality control coach from 2006-08. In 2008, Bill Callahan was hired as an assistant head coach and offensive line coach, and the two worked together that season. They reunited during the 2011 season when Dickerson returned to the Jets as a coaching assistant.

Callahan is now the offensive line coach for the Titans under his son, Bill Callahan, the head coach in Tennessee. Teller mentioned receiving videos from friends showing familiar drills they used to run under Callahan in Cleveland, such as those involving the heavy bag.

Now, with Dickerson as the offensive line coach for the Browns, Teller said they’ve watched film from Dickerson’s time in Seattle, where he served as the offensive line coach from 2022-23, to understand his style. Despite the initial transition of learning a new coach’s nuances, the fundamentals remain the same.

“Work’s cut out for us,” Teller said. “We know we have to work hard, but we’re excited. I think coach is guiding us in the right direction.”

Not only are there new faces on the coaching staff, but the Browns’ offensive line has also welcomed rookie T Zak Zinter. Zinter has participated in rookie minicamp and his first week of OTAs with the team.

Zinter is recovering from a season-ending leg injury he sustained in 2023. One of his first times back on the field since the injury was during rookie minicamp. Throughout the first week of OTAs, Zinter joined his new teammates in O-line drills and appeared comfortable in his workouts.

“Great kid,” Teller said of Zinter. “My initial thoughts – works hard, coming off an injury, you can’t tell, which is good. He has a little sock over it, but he’s tough, and I love that. I commend him for that. There’s a lot to learn. When I got into the league, I was a fifth-round draft pick, so he’s better than me. But he’s a great kid, and I know he’s going to work hard.”

Teller also praised Zinter for his willingness to learn from the veterans. Zinter knew he was joining a team with Pro-Bowl G Joel Bitonio and Teller. While he might not see extensive reps in his rookie season, he sees it as an opportunity to learn the league’s nuances from experienced players.

Teller also believes that veterans can learn from the young players.

“Zak (Zinter), being a young guy coming in, learns from the older guys, but I can also learn from him,” Teller said. “Sometimes I’ll ask, ‘Why do you put your hands like that?’ and he’ll explain, ‘Well, sometimes my hip gets open, and I’ll do this.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s a great idea.’ There’s always something you can learn from each other.”