The Cleveland Browns might be dealing with question marks at the quarterback position, but early impressions on the running back rotation have been extremely positive. While the depth chart between Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown appears very clear, the same cannot be said for the running back rotation after the Browns added Duke Johnson in the draft. Already with Isaiah Thomas and Terrance West, where does Johnson fit in?
According to CantonRep.com, Johnson impressed the coaching staff during rookie mini-camp over the weekend. The former Miami Hurricane displayed the speed, blocking and good hands Cleveland was hoping they were getting when they drafted him. Johnson has already expressed his desire to be a starter for the offense and he did a good job of backing that up during the short string of practices. According to general manager Ray Farmer, Johnson reminds him of Giovanni Bernard or Brian Westbrook while the running back just wants a chance.
"I've been competing against the big dogs since I was playing football," Johnson said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I've never been the biggest. Sometimes I was the smallest. It never stopped me. I'm not gonna allow it to now."
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, there are questions about how Johnson will fit in with the rotation as both West and Crowell are coming off solid rookie campaigns. West told the media that he expected both running backs to churn out 1,000-yard seasons, so many wondered if there was some ill will to Johnson coming on board. According the Johnson, all is well.
"I haven't gotten any bad vibes from Terrance or anything," Johnson said. "Just like me, he's ready to compete and fight for the starting job. About me getting drafted, he said, 'Congratulations. The offense just got better.' "
Head coach Mike Pettine is still working out the inner workings of the running back rotation. He told the media that he favored the versatility of Johnson while Crowell and West are more traditional rushers. Pettine hinted that the Browns will stick with Crowell and West as their first two options with Johnson playing more of a third-down back, Darren Sproles type of role.
"You want to be able to match up differently different weeks," Pettine said. "Some weeks, it might be a good matchup for Terrance, others for Crow. And now Duke kind of gives us that added element. You don't want to use the label 'third-down back.' "