Last season, the Cleveland Browns signed Ben Tate with the intention that he would become the starting running back. Instead, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West were breakout stars in their rookie season as they became the one-two punch the Browns were looking for in the ground game. Instead of just moving on with them as the rotation, the Browns added Duke Johnson and now someone is going to be left out come Week 1 of the season.
With the quarterback position already determined, OTAs and training camp will instead feature a battle between the running backs as Crowell and West battle to start and Johnson tries to find his exact place in the offense. West is making it clear that he is not thrilled about the battle admitting that he would rather be looked at as the franchise back. As a rookie he rushed for 673 yards and five touchdowns. He downplayed the idea that the presence of Johnson puts him on notice.
The team drafts your position every year," West said, via Cleveland.com. "That's what the draft is for . . . At the end of the day you still have to perform. If they don't draft (a running back) and you don't perform it's still next man up. I can take criticism. I've been criticized my whole life . . . I was a rookie. I look at how they treat guys now as a rookie. That's what comes with it. They don't want you to get a big head and make it seem like you know everything."
West might not think that the presence of Johnson puts him on notice, but it does. Head coach Mike Pettine has made it clear that no one is really safe. He told the media that he wants the Browns to establish an identity this season, especially on offense. The Cleveland Plain Dealer made early predictions on starters for 2015 and Crowell was ranked as the top running back with Johnson working with both the ground game and passing game. West was not on the list.
West's future is safe for the upcoming season, but nothing is guaranteed after that. If Crowell can capitalize off the success of his rookie year and Johnson proves to be a versatile asset, West could be out much like Tate was. The second-year pro made it clear that he was not worried about his position on the team as he looks to prove he can be just as athletic and versatile and Johnson is expected be.
