#77, Duke Johnson, RB, Miami

[Phills14]

You want 4 active running backs? Just because Jeremy Hill is a tall running back doesn't mean that is a desired trait. In fact, most running backs are devalued because of height or if they run high.

I think we will see Crowell get most of the carries with Johnson getting the bulk of the 3rd down and some scat back type touches. T-West is likely to lose time and idle time with that guy is not good for him.

 

[crabbyshark]

While they may not be tall, both Crow and T-west are solidly built. They can be the main back, or at least split main back duties with the other.

No point in bringing in a third guy.

I don't think Johnson was a bad pick and he will probably do good things with the Browns.

That said, here's what ESPN had to say bout Johnson:

"What he brings: He isn't going to be a bell-cow back, but he projects as a very good change-of-pace runner with his quickness, speed and open-field running ability. He's one of the best pass-catchers of all the running backs in this class. There is some concern about his durability and whether he can consistently stay on the field."


Game's on the line. Need a yard. Johnson's out. Who do you trust between Crowell and West not to fumble the ball away in a clutch situation?

 

[crabbyshark]

You want 4 active running backs? Just because Jeremy Hill is a tall running back doesn't mean that is a desired trait. In fact, most running backs are devalued because of height or if they run high.

I think we will see Crowell get most of the carries with Johnson getting the bulk of the 3rd down and some scat back type touches. T-West is likely to lose time and idle time with that guy is not good for him.

No, not necessarily four active running backs. Four on the roster and three active on game day. Agree with you on height.

The Broncos carried 5 running backs last year.

The Browns should bring in a veteran like Steven Jackson or Pierre Thomas to compete with Crowell and West. Perhaps he would also act in a mentor role similar to what Josh McCown is doing.

 

[DaNewCavs]

Their games are different though. After the draft Farmer compared Johnson to Giovani Bernard.
Bernard - 5'9, 208
Johnson - 5'9, 207

Jeremy Hill - 6'1, 238
Crowell - 5'11, 225
West - 5'11, 223

.

Not sure if you can tell a RBs success based on height and weight. There are a lot of successful RBs with very similar size comparison to Johnson. The following were within an inch and 10 lbs of Johnson and have had very good careers.

MJD
Ray Rice
Frank Gore
Brian Westbrook
Deangelo Williams
Priest Holmes

Now that doesn't mean he will have the careers of the above, but it doesn't mean he will be a Geovani Bernard either.

 

[spydy13]

I don't think Johnson was a bad pick and he will probably do good things with the Browns.

That said, here's what ESPN had to say bout Johnson:

"What he brings: He isn't going to be a bell-cow back, but he projects as a very good change-of-pace runner with his quickness, speed and open-field running ability. He's one of the best pass-catchers of all the running backs in this class. There is some concern about his durability and whether he can consistently stay on the field."


Game's on the line. Need a yard. Johnson's out. Who do you trust between Crowell and West not to fumble the ball away in a clutch situation?

Pretty sure either can pick up a yard as long as the big boys up front get a push.

My money's on Crowell being the starting back though. He's more dynamic as a runner.

 

[crabbyshark]

Browns fans: Crowell and West weren't good last year.

Pro Football Focus ranks Terrence West 41 out of 57 running backs. Crowell is ranked 52/57.

Football Outsiders have Crowell and West ranked as slightly below average.

It would be dumb to go into next season with Duke Johnson, Isaiah Crowell, and Terrence West as the only running backs.

The Browns should bring in guys to compete with Crowell and West.

 

[MoFlo]

With Mack:

West: 54-235 (4.4)
Crow: 44-237 (5.4)

Without Mack:

West: 117-438 (3.7)
Crow: 104-370 (3.6)

And we've got an improved line coming into this season on top of Mack coming back.

 

[Huber.]

With Mack:

West: 54-235 (4.4)
Crow: 44-237 (5.4)

Without Mack:

West: 117-438 (3.7)
Crow: 104-370 (3.6)

And we've got an improved line coming into this season on top of Mack coming back.

Pittsburgh: 4.4
New Orleans: 4.8
Baltimore: 3.6 (loss)
Tennessee: 4.3
Pittsburgh: 4.4

 

[crabbyshark]

With Mack:

West: 54-235 (4.4)
Crow: 44-237 (5.4)

Without Mack:

West: 117-438 (3.7)
Crow: 104-370 (3.6)

And we've got an improved line coming into this season on top of Mack coming back.

Yards per carry is only one metric to evaluate a running back's performance. It's like saying a wide receiver had a good season because he averaged 18 yards per catch.

There is much more to running back than yards per carry (which is why I've cited PFF and FO).

Who is to say a different running back put in the Browns situation last season wouldn't have had a better yards per carry average?

A good yards per carry average does not at all demonstrate a guy will reliably hold onto the football.

West averaged 3.7 yards per carry after the Browns lost one starting offensive lineman.

Steven Jackson averaged 3.7 yards per carry last year and the Falcons lost FOUR starting offensive linemen.

 

[MoFlo]

Yards per carry is only one metric to evaluate a running back's performance. It's like saying a wide receiver had a good season because he averaged 18 yards per catch.

There is much more to running back than yards per carry (which is why I've cited PFF and FO).

Who is to say a different running back put in the Browns situation last season wouldn't have had a better yards per carry average?

A good yards per carry average does not at all demonstrate a guy will reliably hold onto the football.

West averaged 3.7 yards per carry after the Browns lost one starting offensive lineman.

Steven Jackson averaged 3.7 yards per carry last year and the Falcons lost FOUR starting offensive linemen.

I'm very aware there are more things to consider than YPC. But there's very little doubt that Mack going down had a huge effect on our offense as a whole. If you can't admit that, then sorry, but you didn't pay too much attention to the games.

Not to mention, you chose to completely ignore where I said the line is improving coming into this season.. Mack is coming back, Erving is an upgrade, and we have Bowie coming back from injury.

This line has a chance to be a Top 5 OL in the league, if not the best. That alone will improve the running game, let alone any improvement West and Crowell show, which you also seem to be saying isn't possible..

 

[spydy13]

I just don't get who you think is out there that could be better?

Steven Jackson? Someone would have signed him already if he had anything left in the tank.

They're just going to have to ride their young guys and try to get them to improve over their first season.

 

[mhi]

Man I remember this guy just smashing the ACC his first year. I was at FSU and he was the only one the players there were intimidated of. Looked like an NFL back right out of the gate.

 

[crabbyshark]

I'm very aware there are more things to consider than YPC. But there's very little doubt that Mack going down had a huge effect on our offense as a whole. If you can't admit that, then sorry, but you didn't pay too much attention to the games.

Not to mention, you chose to completely ignore where I said the line is improving coming into this season.. Mack is coming back, Erving is an upgrade, and we have Bowie coming back from injury.

This line has a chance to be a Top 5 OL in the league, if not the best. That alone will improve the running game, let alone any improvement West and Crowell show, which you also seem to be saying isn't possible..

I agree with everything you say about Mack and the line. I also agree that West and Crowell could and will probably improve. I'm not advocating getting rid of them.

Counting on Crowell and West improving is foolish. I don't mean that in a pessimistic way. I mean they've shown what they could do last year and until they actually show improvement, the Browns should take them for they've shown themselves to be.

The Browns should make Crowell and West earn their spots with improved play.

I don't understand what's controversial about this. In 2012, the Ravens traded up to select Bernard Pierce in the 3rd round. In 2014, the Ravens took Lorenzo Taliaferro in the 4th round. They signed Justin Forsett to be likely third string guy in the offseason.

Forsett went on to have a Pro Bowl season.

Stuff like that can't happen unless you bring guys in to compete.

 

[crabbyshark]

I just don't get who you think is out there that could be better?

Steven Jackson? Someone would have signed him already if he had anything left in the tank.

They're just going to have to ride their young guys and try to get them to improve over their first season.

That's a fallacious argument. Jackson will probably be the first guy a lot of teams call if one of their guys gets hurt. In my opinion, the Browns have a need right now.

PFF has Steven Jackson ranked 8/57. He was one of the best in the league last year after first contact. FO has him ranked higher than Crowell and West.

I don't have any delusions about him reclaiming past glory. Maybe he'd stink. He might only need to be average to be effective if the Browns line is as good as advertised. He could also teach the younger guys.

Pierre Thomas is also out there. PFF has him ranked 9/57. FO has him ranked much higher than Crowell and West. It sounds like DeFilippo wants to throw more passes to the backs. Thomas excels at this. (link)

 

[The Oi]

Browns finally got their, "We'd be surprised he was drafted so late if we didn't realize taking RB's in the first round is death," pick.