Looks like a mirror image of Isaiah Crowell... Don't be surprised if Hue Jackson steps in here and sees out current RB staff as an equal to what he had in Cincinnati. Crow is very similar to Jeremy Hill, with possibly better hands Duke is very similar to Bernard, except, I think Bernard may run a little harder...but Johnson, imho, is a better receiver. I don't know that Hue Jackson "requires" an every down back in his offense. In his 3 years as OC and 1 as HC calling plays, he used 2 backs in his offense, including # of carries RB1 RB2 2015 223 154 2014 222 168 2011 256 113 (HC) 2010 223 158 It seems, that he is looking for a 225 per season back. Isaiah Crowell is exactly that, but was underutilized by his previous regimes 2015 185 carries, 2nd back (Johnson) 104 carries 2014 148 carries, 1st back (TWest) 171 carries, 3rd back (Tate) 106 carries Previous Browns season 2013 Mcgahee 138 carries, Ogbannaya 49 carries, Baker 43 carries, Richardson 31 carries It seems to me that what we need is a play caller willing to run the damn ball, moreso than a replacement running back. You have to establish the run, that is what Hue Jackson does. If the Browns want to become perennial playoff contenders, they don't have to become #1 overall in anything. They need to become top 15 in EVERYTHING and when they get a year where one or two entities (Rushing O, Passing O, Rushing D and Passing D) are in the top 5, they can become Super Bowl contenders... As long as any of these groups are in the bottom 20s, they will remain mediocre.
Not that I'm particularly interested but . . . it looks as Matt Forte will be available as a free agent. He still has some tread on his tires and could be a running back whisperer to Crowell and Johnson. Your thoughts?
That was my immediate thought Lym, but then I started thinking about what they said about free agency. I think Forte will get over paid, and quite honestly, I think there are better ways to spend the salary cap. I agree he has some tread left, but I also believe he will be asking for premium money and someone will pay him...
My thoughts....why wuld a vet RB come 2 the Browns when their life span is dwindling....he will try and go 2 a winner...look 4 NE or Balt 2 b major players
I don't think he likes an every down back. I think he likes two talented ones -- a change-of-pace guy and a big back. I do think we'll see a much more balanced offense under Hue, even if we fall behind as was the case last season. Hue calling his own plays likely won't panic the way Fillipo did and completely abandon the run in the second half. It would help to become #1 overall in the AFC North. That's a guarantee to make the playoffs every season. And it's getting tough to do that without a dominant ground game. Ravens slumped to 25th (after losing Forrsett) having been 11th the previous season. Bengals were 7th. Steelers were 16th (and without Le'Veon Bell for half the season).
