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In terms of a runningback’s value in the running game, Chubb is the best in the NFL right now, and maybe the best since prime Jamal Lewis. His ability to gain yards after contact is so great that he ostensibly can gain those yards with a replacement-level offensive line. Teams either have to let Chubb abuse them or sell-out to stop the run, opening up the passing game.
The question is twofold. First, how much of a beating can Chubb take? The problem for a lot of these guys is they get hurt and are never the same.
And second, how valuable is Chubb compared to the alternative option? I think we’ll know more about that question as we see Stefanski call plays.
Either way, if I am the Browns then I am franchise tagging him for two years no matter what.
I'm not sure how much weight we should give this, but there also is something just fun as hell about watching him play football. A 15 yard run where he's gashing the defense and busting through tackles just feels different than a 15 yard out to a WR. And players seem to sense that as well. It may be because the running game sometimes feels more easily repeatable/reproduceable. If a play worked, and the defense doesn't change anything...it's probably going to work the next time too. There isn't as much of an issue of precise timing that there is with a passing play, or the "matter of inches" between a good pass and a bad one, etc.. If you're opening holes, and you've got Chubb running the ball...you're going to have consistent success in the running game.
He does remind me a lot of Jamal Lewis, except I think Chubb is actually faster in the open field. It's his ability to get those breakaway runs that really surprised me. You don't really see that much in the NFL. But he's got such strength that missed tackles/arm tackles don't seem to slow him down much, and that gives him such a jump on the DB's that they just can't catch him.
He's just fun as hell to watch, and seems like a great guy as well.
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