The Cleveland Browns have been trying to downplay their concerns regarding the running back rotation heading into the season, but there are certainly reasons to sound the alarm. According to Cleveland.com, the Browns opted to trade Terrance West because of his immaturity and inconsistencies on the field. That is reasonable, but if leaves the team with one healthy running back on the roster. While head coach Mike Pettine continues to remain confident in the rotation, there is one entering Week 1.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group is reporting that rookie Duke Johnson is still dealing with concussion issues which means Isaiah Crowell is the only healthy player on the roster. There is halfback Shaun Draughn on the practice squad who will likely be activated prior to Week 1 against the New York Jets, but right now it is the Crowell show in the ground game. Pettine is aware there is a lack of depth at the moment, but stressed the team will be just fine on Sunday.
"I'm not going to get into the roster stuff," Pettine said, via Cleveland.com. "We're confident that when we get to New York that the running backs that will be out there will be sufficient."
It is clear the Browns need to make a move and acquire a running back. There are options they can take advantage of including former second-round draft pick, Montee Ball. The Denver Broncos released the back who was getting buried on the depth chart leaving quality talent now available for the taking. Ball has starting experience and received praise from Peyton Manning after a solid rookie season. He would be an excellent pickup for the Browns to run with Crowell. The other option is of course Ray Rice. Pettine has acknowledged that Rice is available and an option, but said those talks were premature. With just one healthy running back on the roster, the time to have that talk is now.
Pettine stressed that Crowell can handle the added responsibility. With versatile players like Terrelle Pryor on the roster, the Browns certainly have options to work with, but as far as pure running backs go, Crowell is it unless Johnson gets cleared to play. The rookie has not been seen for a good portion of the preseason as he dealt with a hamstring injury and then the concussion. It is doubtful he is ready to take on a heavy workload leaving Crowell as the man in charge.
"Isaiah Crowell, I think, proved last year that he is a legitimate back in this league,'' said Pettine, via Cleveland.com. "We feel very good about where Duke is and our offensive line worked on a lot of things in this preseason and our tight ends. Understand when we get into game-planning mode that we're going to be able to do something schematically. Very confident in that group. I know that it's easy to beat up the run game based on the preseason. Like I said, internally, we're confident, and we'll just have to wait and see."