Browns Training Camp: Running backs dinged up and called out

Running back was supposedly a position of depth, if not strength, for the Cleveland Browns coming into 2015 Training Camp. Many fans and analysts believed the Browns would rely on a combination of those backs rather than having one player carry the majority of the load. However, as is often the case with the position, a slew of injuries have thinned out the number of bodies able to practice, and, in a surprise, running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery called out the group publicly.

The injuries have been frequent and widespread. Glenn Winston came to camp with a knee injury and had it scoped last week. Terrance West strained his calf muscle early in camp and just returned to practice on Monday. Duke Johnson is currently out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Fullback Malcolm Johnson is out with a shoulder injury. And Shaun Draughn suffered a left thumb injury in the scrimmage in Columbus, which will require him to miss a few days (Head coach Mike Pettine noted “It’s not broken.”).

Mike Pettine noted that the injuries are a source of frustration as it is hard to evaluate players that are not playing. “If you are not practicing, it is hard to step up and be the guy,” he said. “I think that’s the source of frustration for all of us.”

However, running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery had a different view on the matter. “It is not frustrating for me. Practice goes on. That is just like in a game. One guy get up. Next man on deck. It is not frustrating for me. It is just the guys behind them – it is a golden opportunity to step up and show people what you can do.”

The source of frustration for Montgomery seems to lie more in the running backs not showing greater urgency in practice. “You always (got) the one bell cow guy,” he said.”These kids here have to realize what’s important for them now. If I want to make money and get the next contract, I’ve got to show something. I really have to show something and right now I think the importance of that is missing.”

He went on about what it takes to be that “bell cow” guy: “Each day you’ve got to be healthy and ready to go and you’ve got to play injured, you’ve got to play sore and you’ve got to play banged up, and if you can’t play with those thing there, you really can’t play.”

Despite those harsh words, Montgomery did have some kind things to say about Terrance West, who has had to sit out some of Training Camp.

“Terrance has done everything that we’ve asked him to do up to this point,” said Montgomery. “He worked hard. He’s working hard every day that he’s out on the field. His demeanor is definitely not the same as it was last season.”

He also cited Draughn as a veteran leader for the group. “Shaun was having an excellent camp. One is he is a mentor to the whole group, the young group. The other is that he was like a coach on the field. I hate to see the injury because he was doing so well, and he was a big time mentor to (RB) Duke (Johnson Jr.) until Duke got hurt.”

Montgomery is also excited to get Duke Johnson back on the field for the versatility he provides. “He gives you another dimension that we don’t have in the group that we had last year. Duke can be a slot receiver. He can line up wide and you can move him all over the field. He is a total mismatch. In my report, I wrote him up as a Thurman Thomas-type running back when he came out.”

He added that Miami ran a similar system to the Browns, which should give Johnson an advantage over incumbents West and Isaiah Crowell. “Plus, he played in this system before. He has a little bit of advantage [over] the other guys like Crowell and West because they never played in the system. Last year was their first time. Duke ran it all three years in college.”

For his part, Crowell seems to understand that he needs to do more to show his coaches that he deserves the ball. “I feel like [Montgomery] means just coming out here, practicing, not coming out of practice, staying in the film room late, studying and just doing everything a professional has to do.”

Crowell acknowledged that he was not doing enough thus far. “Obviously, I haven’t so I have to keep working and keep working. The coach knows what is right and knows what is best so I have to come out here and keep working.

“All I do is control what I can control and come out here and working every day.”

Offensive guard John Greco had some encouragement for the running back group. “I think the healthy ones that were in there showed great running skills. I told Isaiah that he is running the ball hard and he looks good. It is exciting to be out there blocking for him. Shaun Draughn is out there running hard.”

Duke Johnson has already been ruled out for the first preseason game against the Washington Redskins. It appears doubtful that Draughn will play though the team has not given a definitive status on him. The team should also update the status on Malcolm Johnson soon enough.

The one thing that is certain is that coach Wilbert Montgomery is challenging the group, and it will be up to each individual running back to answer his call.