#77, Duke Johnson, RB, Miami

[Pick6]

PFF has Steven Jackson ranked 8/57.

Well that tells me all I need to know about PFF. We have two guys competing for the "feature" back, both of which showed potential last season. I'm confident one of them will separate themselves.

 

[AZ_]

Brutal stuff in here at this point.

Crow and West are both growing more capable in short yardage

 

[crabbyshark]

Brutal stuff in here at this point.

Crow and West are both growing more capable in short yardage

Which part is brutal?

"Growing more capable" is not "capable."

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.

 

[AZ_]

Like who?

You vilified them for not holding onto the ball, then pointed to Jeremy Hill as an example (t-2nd among RBs in fumbles last year)

They're bigger guys who they're counting on to develop, no over the hill scrap heap free agent is going to want to come in for that anyway.

 

[MGMT]

A vet in the mold of Travis Henry who can come in and scrap for 1.9 ypc or some shit.

 

[Phills14]

I hear Willis McGahee is looking for work.

 

[Huber.]

I hear Willis McGahee is looking for work.

http://www.applebees.com/about-us/work-with-us

 

[Soda]

At this point, I'm more ready and willing to bring in some young & hungry undrafted backs to push Crowell, Duke & TWest. Bringing in an old guy will just hamper the RB room's ability to continue to progress. Bottom line is now the Browns have 3 guys they've brought in over the past 2 years. Look for them to allow those guys to battle until this FO brings in another fresh face. Unless they're in a pinch come pre-season/regular season, no veteran RB will be here.

 

[SixPACK]

Crowell & West are pushing against each other. Yes, they are saying how "we are both gonna get 1000yds" and so on, and they both worked out great over the off-season, but all and all they know they are competing against the other for the starting bulk of carries.

I don't think you need to bring in anybody. If West wins out and gets more carries, Crowell will keep pushing and trying to better himself to win it back (and make great plays like he did last year). If Crow wins out, West will probably whine and start doing drugs.

They both know they have a great change of pace back on their heels, I think the RB competition is going to be just fine.

 

[crabbyshark]

Hill had 5 fumbles in 249 touches, losing 2. Crowell had 3 fumbles in 157 touches, losing 2. I'd take Hill and his fumbles over Crowell and his fumbles in a heartbeat.

My first choice would be Pierre Thomas. He was very good last year. The Browns could bring in Knowshon Moreno too. You could sign him to a non-guaranteed deal. There is no risk involved. It's weird to me you all are so opposed to this.

This might be what they're waiting for:

June 1 free-agency deadline moved to May 12
Posted by Mike Florio on March 31, 2015, 4:06 PM EDT

Years ago, June 1 had extreme significance on the NFL calendar. Teams looking to reduce the cap hit from cutting a veteran player would wait until June 1, resulting in half or more of the acceleration to hit the cap in the following league year.

In 2006, the NFL changed the rule, allowing teams to cut two players per year before June 1, with a June 1 designation. Few teams currently have cap issues; as a result, the entire notion of using the designation or waiting until June 1 to cut a player has become largely irrelevant.

June 1 had continued significance for another reason. After June 1, unrestricted free agents signed by other teams don’t count toward the compensatory draft-pick formula. Starting this year, that date will move from June 1 to May 12, according to the league office.

The Competition Committee had been considering shifting the date from June 1 to May 1. With the draft still happening as of May 1, it makes sense to let the draft end and to let the dust settle before allowing free agents to sign without the move helping their former team or potentially hurting their new one.

The shift gives free agents more of an opportunity to participate in the offseason program. It also gives teams reason to wait on adding some of the currently available free agents, in order to avoid reducing their potential haul of compensatory picks.

The Ravens have mastered the craft of waiting to sign unrestricted free agents until the deadline has come and gone. Today’s addition of quarterback Matt Schaub doesn’t change that. Because he was cut by the Raiders, Schaub’s addition neither helps the Raiders nor hurts the Ravens when it comes to determining compensatory selections.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/31/june-1-free-agency-deadline-moved-to-may-12/

 

[AZ_]

Hill fumbled once every 50 touches, Crowell once every 52. Simple division, so I'm not sure why you're riding with Hill. Just admit that you didn't know and move on.

Pierre Thomas provides nothing in short yardage, whereas Knowshon Moreno generally provides nothing of any kind.

I'd also like to know why they are wasting their time on below average running backs instead of trying to develop young talent...but I guess we'll save that argument for another time.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I'm expecting the team to prepare "packages" with each of West, Crow, and Johnson. More NFL teams have switched to this offensive game plan to lessen the wear and tear of backs. The team practices a certain grouping of plays with each of the three backs. Duke seems to be a good match for game breaking backs who can also gain big yards in screens, a la Sproles or Hill. West and Crow are both strong in a ZBS, but they have certainly been inconsistent as rookies. Neither have shown they can be a threat out of the back field, but Shanahan didn't want them running those routes anyways. I'm hoping they switch all three out for certain game situations and play packages so they stay fresh.

 

[Coyote850]

Love the fact that this kid can be a change of pace back. Love having a 3 headed monster.

 

[crabbyshark]

Hill fumbled once every 50 touches, Crowell once every 52. Simple division, so I'm not sure why you're riding with Hill. Just admit that you didn't know and move on.

Hill showed last year he is a reliable, consistent running back. Crowell did not.

Crowell gained 161 yards on 58 attempts (2.8 avg) the last 5 games of '14. Over the same period, West had 45-203 (4.5) despite sitting week 16 for being careless with the football.

The Browns do not have a reliable, consistent running back on the team.

Pierre Thomas provides nothing in short yardage, whereas Knowshon Moreno generally provides nothing of any kind.

Over 2013-2014, in 3rd or 4th down situations with 1 or 2 yards to go, Pierre Thomas converted on rushes 11/16 (.688) times.

Eddie Lacy was 17/24 (.708). Mark Ingram was 7/15 (.467). West and Crowell combined for 7/9. This does not make them reliable, consistent running backs.

The Browns should bring Moreno in to prove he has nothing left of any kind.

I'd also like to know why they are wasting their time on below average running backs instead of trying to develop young talent...but I guess we'll save that argument for another time.

According to Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders, the "young talent" on the Browns were below average running backs last season.

According to Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders, rookie running back Hill (and at least one of the over the hill scrap heap running backs) were above average running backs last season.

Expecting growth is great. I hope and expect they will get better next year as well. They have tons of upside.

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

 

[AZ_]

So, despite being 7 for 9 in short yardage and better than the other two guys you listed, they should bring in a veteran to replace them.

Got it.

Yes, Hill is better. No, Jeremy Hill is not available in free agency. Thus, West and Crowell it is.

Moreno isn't even going to be healthy enough to play coming off a mid season ACL, Thomas (as I already said) provides none of the skill sets you desire from the veteran you're trying to bring in.

It's time to stop now.