Browns give Greco 5 year deal
Plain Dealer
Cleveland Browns sign guard John Greco to five-year extension | cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- John Greco was pressed into service at left guard last October when his good friend Jason Pinkston went down with a blood clot in his lung, and played so well that the Browns rewarded him Monday with a five-year contract extension through 2017.
Now, it's up to Greco to win one of the two starting guard jobs in training camp and provide the Browns with a good return on their investment.
"I tried to make the best out of my opportunity last year, and going into camp that's my mindset -- that I'm going to be one of the guys,'' Greco said on a conference call before arriving in Berea to sign his new deal.
Greco, 28, is involved in a three-way battle with Pinkston and right guard Shawn Lauvao for one of the two spots, and the new deal signals that he's a leading candidate. In spring practices, the trio alternated on both sides.
"It's going to be a really good competition and it's only going to make for a better offensive line,'' Greco said. "Those guys are extremely talented and I'll do everything I can to make sure I'm one of (the starters).''
A native of Boardman, Ohio, Greco has longed for a starting role ever since the Rams drafted him in the third round (65th overall) out of Toledo in 2008. It never worked out for him in St. Louis, where he started only four games his first three seasons. Ultimately, he was traded to the Browns in 2011 for a conditional draft pick. In April, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ranked Greco No. 20 on its list of the Rams 50 worst draft picks.
"Whatever happened in the past is over,'' said Greco. "Starting has been a longtime goal and it's huge. This time of year is tough for anyone involved in football. I'm going to do everything I can to stay healthy and compete to make everyone around me better and that's only going to benefit the team in the end.''
Greco's extension is probably the first of several for the Browns this season. Center Alex Mack's contract is also up after this season and he might be in line for a new deal.
“One of our goals,” said CEO Joe Banner, “is whenever possible to develop and keep our own players. We’re glad in this case that it worked out, and was mutually beneficial.”
Nevertheless, the new deal caught Greco off guard.
"I wasn't really expecting it,'' he said. "My focus was to come in and have a good camp and be one of the starters, that was really my mindset. The contract stuff will take care of itself after the season, but the Browns approached me the other night and I'm happy we got something worked out.
Greco graded out well in his 10 starts at left guard last season, and didn't miss a snap in his first nine.
“John is a solid, all-around teammate, on and off the field,” said coach Rob Chudzinski in a release. “He was given an opportunity to play last year and really showed well. He’s respected in the locker room for his approach, consistency and team-first attitude.”
Pinkston returned to action in minicamp last month after six months on bloodthinners, but might need some time to get back into football shape after suffering the life-threatening condition.
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