FOX Sports ranks Browns uniforms No. 32 in NFL
October 21, 2014An infamous kiss, closing windows, and YIELD: While We’re Waiting…
October 21, 2014The Cleveland Browns’ offense has been well paced all season long large in part to their rushing attack. Even after Ben Tate got hurt during Week 1’s game against Steelers, it just led to the emergence of the “baby backs,” Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. That feels like a long time ago now. Terrance West was a healthy scratch, having been benched for a game. Isaiah Crowell put the ball on the turf three times (losing one) in a game, and now fans and media are questioning the Browns’ use of Terrance West in a pretty key moment on third and one and going for it on fourth and one in an embarrassing loss to the Jaguars.
On why RB Terrance West was in there for short-yardage situations, specially the fourth-and-1:
“That was the decision we went with. We have three good backs, and Terrance was the guy we had in there. We didn’t execute, and I know he was hard on himself yesterday and today about it, knowing that he shouldn’t try to hit the home run there, that he should just, ‘Hey, if it’s blocked for zero get one. If it’s blocked for two get four.’ That’s the decision we went with.”
On if making the most of his limited reps has to do with trying to get West and RBs Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell all carries:
“It’s something to look at. I see it as a rookie that’s still learning the game, but we’ll have discussion this week as to how to best rotate those guys. You could make the argument it’s a good problem to have, but you’re still dealing with the word ‘problem.’ It’s something that we have to plan for.”
None of this is to minimize the loss of Alex Mack, which also coincides with the downturn in the rushing attack. Still, the Browns are going to struggle mightily if they can’t find a way to restore much of the productivity they showed when the offense was averaging about three touchdowns per game on the scoreboard.
It’s going to take a team effort, but the whole offense depends on it. The Browns need their offensive line to do better. They need individual backs to not dance, put the ball on the ground or otherwise squander what little opportunities they have. Finally, they need Brian Hoyer to get some timing down with his new center John Greco so that the offense doesn’t look so disjointed from the moment the ball is snapped. The Browns can’t just line up in shotgun and throw the ball. This team is predicated on running the ball and setting up manageable downs and distances to set up the play-action.
I know I’m a broken record on this, but it’s really obvious.
8 Comments
I know a lot of people want to rip West for his game this weekend, but let’s not forget that Tate was likewise completely worthless. The Crow appeared to be the only thing working on the entirely inept offense.
Rookie, or not, Crowell has something you can’t teach. Vision.
He was SEC freshman of the year for a reason.
It’s more than vision though. Tate has vision. Crowell has the vision + body control that allows him to make the most of those small slices of daylight. It was tougher to see in the early games (when the holes were 3 players wide), but it was really obvious on Sunday.
Now, if we just hand him the ball rather than pitching it to him, then we’re all set.
He wasn’t a fumbler at UGA (I can’t speak for his time at Alabama St.), so I’m not ready to worry about that.
I’ve been all in on this guy since they signed him. I was actually more excited about him, than anyone they drafted.
Maybe not this year, but next year, he’ll be our number one.
All aboard…I’m punching tickets for passengers on the Crowell train. 😀
“Now, if we just hand him the ball rather than pitching it to him, then we’re all set.”
I’m sure you’re referring to his dropsies on the pitch, but in reality, Crow is so much harder to stop when he gets the ball already in motion as opposed to taking a handoff from standstill.
the strange thing is that on the pitches he dropped, he is standing still. just a quick pitch backward to a still Crowell. he would have had more momentum had both Hoyer & Crowell taken a step and done the handoff normal.
The running game is why/how Hoyer has been able to look so good. Unfortunately Jacksonville has a solid defense and they figured out if you stop the run the Browns can’t beat you with the pass. This brings it back around to the WRs. Just a week ago the group along with Hoyer weren’t looking to bad they almost didn’t miss Gordon. Back to reality. Losing Alex Mack last week was an even bigger loss especially for the running game. I’ll be interested to see if maybe that McDonald doesn’t start at center allowing Greco to go back to guard. McQuistan was horrible. I think it’s much harder having Greco and McQuistan playing then just McDonald.
He doesn’t dance he goes north and south with aggression!