Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Running Back Preview (Will Harrison's Role Increase?)
by Chris Pokorny on Jun 24, 2009 1:16 AM EDT
in 2009 Training Camp
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PrintContinuing with our Week 1 training camp preview schedule (Offensive Attack), today we begin the discussion on the running back position for the next several days. For those wondering where the fullbacks will fit in, fear not; Lawrence Vickers and Charlies Ali will have their own brief fullback preview this Friday.
Looking at the Browns' roster, we don't have a starting running back of the future on the bench. With an offensive approach focused on the ground game this year, a lot of our success may depend on the health of Jamal Lewis.
1. JAMAL LEWIS - STARTING RUNNING BACK
Jamal Lewis (#31)Height: 5-11
Weight: 245
College: Tennessee
Experience: 8 years
Stats: 1002 yds, 4 TD
Everybody on the Browns' offense had a down season last year, including starting running back Jamal Lewis. After an impressive campaign in 2007 in which he ran for 1,304 yards and 9 touchdowns, he barely cracked the 1,000-yard milestone in 2008.
The best number to look at is yards-per-carry average.
2006: 3.6 yards per carry (with Ravens)
2007: 4.4 yards per carry
2008: 3.6 yards per carry
When the Browns signed Lewis as a free agent in 2007, many of us thought we were getting a Lewis on the downside of his career. After the 2007 season, while we didn't think Lewis was in his prime, it seemed logical that he would be able to maintain successful production over the next several seasons. Two years later, we're again wondering what type of Lewis we're going to get this season. While much of the problem last year was Romeo Crennel's and Rob Chudzinski's failures to give him the ball in the second half of games, on the several instances that he did get to carry the load, he came up short of his own expectations.
If the drop in production was indeed a byproduct of the lack of production and lack of smart game-planning surrounding him, then things will be much different this season.
Worst Attribute: Facing the Steelers - This is a direct carryover from what I listed as Lewis' worst attribute last season -- facing the Steelers. Here is what Lewis has done against the Steelers since joining the Browns:
Game 1 (2007): 11 carries, 35 yards (1 lost fumble)
Game 2 (2007): 16 carries, 35 yards (1 lost fumble)
Game 3 (2008): 19 carries, 38 yards
Game 4 (2008): 23 carries, 94 yards
Let's ignore his inflated statistics in Game 4, as that game was when the Browns were already eliminated from the playoffs in Week 17, and as the Steelers were already in the process of blowing us out 31-0. If the Browns are ever going to get over the hump and if Eric Mangini is ever going to make an impression in the AFC North, it'll have to come through defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers. So far, Lewis isn't cutting it. It is extremely difficult to run against the Steelers, but you need at least around 70 yards a game to contend. Mangini will need to find a way to ensure that Lawrence Vickers and the offensive line are focused on their assignments every time Lewis touches the ball.
Best Attribute: Having the Bulk - This is a new title to the attribute I'm giving to Lewis this year; last year I called him a solid closer. Today in the NFL, the top defenses are getting younger, faster, stronger, and smarter. The days of having a single running back being able to physically abuse a defense single-handedly are disappearing. In the past, Lewis' bulk alone could wear down a tired defense in the fourth quarter. That's where Mangini's approach of the offensive line having more bulk (and in turn aiding the run game) will come into play. When Lewis pounds the ball, he can truly pound the ball as opposed to being met in the backfield. Lewis' size advantage is supposed to come into play when he reaches a smaller linebacker in the second unit or a defensive back in the third unit. If our offensive line can get him there more often, Lewis can begin to use the power he was unable to showcase the majority of last season.
Various Concerns / Comments - A year after Thomas Jones' production was low with the Jets in 2007 (3.6 yards per carry and 1 touchdown), it shot through the roof in 2008 (4.5 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns). Mangini is installing an offense that will give Lewis the opportunity to provide the type of production Jones did last season. If he doesn't capitalize, then Mangini will certainly have no problems giving more touches to whomever he deems as our team's Leon Washington.
Job Security: A+
Player Quality: B
Final Roster Odds: 100%
2. JEROME HARRISON - BACKUP RUNNING BACK
Jerome Harrison (#35)Height: 5-9
Weight: 205
College: Washington St.
Experience: 3 years
Stats: 34 carries, 7.2 ypc
Week after week, Romeo Crennel would almost promise the fans in press conferences that Jerome Harrison would receive more playing time against whoever our next opponent was. Unfortunately, that usually meant that instead of 1 carry, Harrison would receive 2 carries. The only people that appeased were the opposing team's coaches.
Forgive me if I burst into another Harrison love-fest here, but he really can and should be the "X-factor" for our offense this season, even over the propositions I've made about Joshua Cribbs in the past. In limited action two years ago, he averaged 6.2 yards a touch. That didn't earn him much more playing time last year, as he had about ten more carries with a 7.2 yards per carry average.
Based on Mangini's trend with the Jets, hopefully Harrison is in luck. Leon Washington, who played a very similar role I envision Harrison being capable of, accounted for 803 yards of total offense and 8 touchdowns last season. That's pretty darn good for a backup running back, especially when you're starting running back ran for over 1,300 yards. Besides these stats outlining how good the running backs are, it shows me that Mangini knows how to utilize his roster (unless of course you have a renegade like Brett Favre).
Worst Attribute: Blocking Skills - Much like we can't say Braylon Edwards is cured from having stone hands because he is catching the ball in practice, we can't keep buying into the media and coaches when they say year after year that Jerome Harrison's blocking has improved. This was the reason Crennel never played Harrison in the first place, and while Crennel's reasoning was flawed on a larger scale, Harrison was clearly at a disadvantage on plays he was asked to block on.
I still say that something like this can be amended simply by not putting Harrison in very many blocking situations. Every time Joshua Cribbs was at quarterback or running back last year, the defense knew he was going to get the ball but still had difficulty stopping him. With the right play calling and a few simple "chips" in blocking, Harrison should be good to go.
Best Attribute: The Burst - From last year's training camp preview, I wrote:
"I have visions of Harrison racing down the sideline, especially after a defense is gassed."
And my visions came to fruition...
Various Concerns / Comments - Many people, especially those who are not fans of the Browns, probably think it is wishful thinking to believe that Harrison could become a contributor like Washington has in New York or Darren Sproles has in San Diego. I bought into Harrison's potential a long time ago, and with Mangini's history towards Washington, I'm not going to stop buying into it any time soon.
Job Security: B-
Player Quality: B-
Final Roster Odds: 98%
3. NOAH HERRON - FREE AGENT RUNNING BACK
Noah Herron (#29)Height: 5-11
Weight: 225
College: Northwestern
Experience: 4 years
Stats: 4.1 YPC in 2006
Don't be surprised that RB James Davis isn't listed third here. While the first two running back positions are pretty much set in stone, three on down are not. Since Davis was a sixth-round draft choice, a roster spot is far from a guarantee for him.
Herron was originally a seventh-round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005. That's the same year the Browns took offensive tackle Jon Dunn in the seventh round. He was so forgettable that if I would've made up a random name, I bet many of you would've bought it just as well. Anyway, Herron didn't last long with the Steelers and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as a free agent. While his stats in 2005 were not too impressive, he averaged 4.1 yards a touch in 2006 and caught 29 passes in limited action. That season, he was asked to step up at times due to injuries at the running back position for Green Bay.
When the Packers got rid of Ahman Green in 2007, Herron was scheduled to compete for a starting role in a three-way competition with Brandon Jackson and Vernand Morency (funny enough, Ryan Grant basically ended up winning a competition he wasn't even involved in). A sprained knee forced the Packers to put Herron on the injured reserve though; after that, he hasn't seen much action in the NFL. What type of impression will he make in Cleveland? Will he make the roster in place of fullback Charles Ali? We shall see.
Job Security: D
Player Quality: D+
Final Roster Odds: 40%
4. JAMES DAVIS - ROOKIE RUNNING BACK
One of the things I'm still looking forward to is the potential for a student-teacher relationship between James Davis and Jamal Lewis. When he was drafted by the Browns, the Plain Dealer noted that Davis went to the same high school as Lewis:
"When I was in high school, he always used to come back to the school and I went to Atlanta and trained with him a couple of times," said Davis. "He's a great running back and his workout is really tough."
| Year | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | TD |
| 2005 | 11 | 165 | 913 | 5.3 | 9 | 19 | 152 | 0 |
| 2006 | 13 | 203 | 1,219 | 5.8 | 17 | 6 | 115 | 0 |
| 2007 | 13 | 214 | 1,101 | 5.1 | 10 | 12 | 136 | 2 |
| 2008 | 13 | 171 | 751 | 4.4 | 11 | 14 | 123 | 0 |
| Totals | 50 | 753 | 3,984 | 5.3 | 47 | 51 | 526 | 2 |
The coaches have already praised Davis from his minicamp sessions, and he shouldn't have too difficult of a time leaping over Herron during training camp. Thankfully, the Browns showed no apparent interest in retaining Jason Wright (who went to the Arizona Cardinals); that left the void that Davis will likely fill. Nonetheless, I wouldn't guarantee his roster spot just yet. Davis was the team's final draft pick in the sixth round, and there is a legitimate chance that he would be able to slip to the practice squad if necessary. On the same note, he was originally pegged as going as high as the fourth-round. In that sense, you could look at him as a "steal".
Scouting reports indicate that Davis is a good north-south runner. Like Harrison though, he is lacking as a blocker. That's where Herron might pick up an advantage.
Final Roster Odds: 75%
Practice Squad Odds: 80% (if he were cut)
5. MARCUS THOMAS - FREE AGENT RUNNING BACK
The Browns quietly signed Thomas back in January. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of last year's draft, but failed to make the final roster cuts. The Detroit Lions picked him up but only utilized his services for three games.
If you'd like to learn more about Thomas, listen to the people at DraftGuys TV ramble about him on YouTube, as they sprinkle in some college highlights too.
*EDIT (7/21/09): Thomas ended up being waived prior to the start of training camp.
Final Roster Odds: >1%
Practice Squad Odds: 10%
RB Position Quality (Overall): C+
We're hoping for a lot this year. We're hoping that Jamal Lewis returns to form. We're hoping that Jerome Harrison can perform if given the opportunity. We're hoping that James Davis or Noah Herron would be able to pick up the load if Lewis goes down to injury.
Unlike many other teams in the league, we don't have a young running back that we've invested a lot in. We're bound to take a youngster in next year's draft early on, but until then, the running back position is shaky for the Browns.
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There are a lot of things about this play that are great.
First: Josh Cribbs. You know all of the motion we had in our offense? Well, the movements weren’t all used to create good matchups in the passing game and to make the defense tilt their hand. Here, Cribbs comes in motion and gets a great block on LB Kawika Mitchell.
It starts here…
…and ends here. That’s a 215lb wide receiver blocking a 253lb linebacker. Not bad. Mitchell does get free after the block, but Cribbs effectively takes him out of the play. When your WRs can block like that, you can do some things on offense.
Our other WR wasn’t doing too shabby on the same play, either. As evidence that while he had a bad season he didn’t quit on the team, here is Braylon making a block 45 yards down the field. This block probably turns Harrison’s run from a big gain into a TD.
Also, Joe Thomas is quick enough at 315lbs to pull around Steve Heiden and block a cornerback.
Note how he starts inside well the hash, probably in the middle of the field, and ends up out by the numbers.
Kinda embarassing to be Hank Fraley on that play. He got a little piece of the DT and then wound up on the ground. That DT might have made the play if Harrison didn’t fight through that tackle so well and if Rex Hadnot …had…not… been hustling to the play and created a pick of sorts.
Then, there’s Harrison who had the vision to see the hole develop, the burst to hit the hole, the power and shiftiness to shrug off the tackle, and the speed to take it the distance. This guy needs to be on the field more.
by rufio on Jun 24, 2009 2:47 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Awesome breakdown, rufio, thanks! I really appreciate you doing these — I’m sure it takes time, but it’s well worth it for me. Keep it up!
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 24, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Once again, it seems the Browns like good not great.
Sugar coating and fluffering average players. Good fundamentals alone does not warrant you playing in the NFL. A big body, that you can utilize, if and only when it gets into contact with the “second” and “third unit”, is wishfull thinking. Also how does a bigger man wear out a defense in the second half, that´s false prognosticising, a fast and shifty guy who is hard to run down and get a handle on, along with some hard core blocking that you would rather evade, can wear a defense out, a big man is simply, well, bigger. If the NFL was playing contact football, I would simply have one guy get there as soon as possible to impede his progress, and then I would be hoping he doesn´t go down, so as many players as possible can hit him.
We have two great fullbacks, with the prerequisite bodies, in Charles Ali and Lawrence Vickers. I am almost convinced that we should run a two fullback set. An I formation with two fullbacks, all game. Good fullbacks, not behemoths, the kind that lose only a step or so on most halfbacks, due to being squatter and stronger. Fullbacks who enjoy blocking, and crave the ball. Why am I advocating this? Because it seems, that in the modern day NFL, it seems fashionable to think a halfback can´t block.
You heard it here first. Mooncamping advocates installing a two fullback set to be on the field every single play. You will see, control the tempo, control the opponent. The line would be much sharper, if they know there are two bruisers back there, that will hit the holes with no scruples what so ever, whether there actually is a hole or not. That´s football how I learned it.
To rehash: A big runningback like Jamal Lewis is simply fashionable. People favor Jerome Harrison because he´s fundamentally sound and unwavering. Noah Herron must be a beater upper for practice. James Davis is a tough little critter, with all the right instincts, and a tough set of wheels, does he have breakaway ability and speed…I hate to say it, but, no. He´s a dream football player, but is he NFL crazazy awesome, no.
Charles Ali and Lawrence Vickers, double fullback every down running attack.
Oh, and since I´m putting myself out there regarding the offense.
My premise is using Charles Ali and Lawrence Vickers in an every down double fullback runningback set. My quarterback follows these options, in checking himself down: 1. keep the ball, scramble. 2. fullback coming through. 3. quick, quick, here comes the halfback. 4. your elbow is cocked next to your helmet for a reason, whip that hand on over for a pass.
I would also utilize Braylon Edwards as a flanker, he is freakishly athletic, and a scary proposition on sweeps, reverses and short yardage passing game (slant in and out, down and out hook patterns). Joshua Cribbs is a brilliant investment for only punt and kick returns, I don´t want to see him doing anything else.
Robiskie is a novelty, he can try his sound fundamentals to convert on third downs.
Furrey and Massaquoi are classic wide receivers. If we don´t get Joe Jurevicious back, they´re it.
I prefer Madsen over Royal, check out some images on Google Images, he looks like a rangier Bavaro.
So that´s my plan, what´s yours?
Every approach has its strengths and weaknesses. Yours reminds me of Wisconsin Badger football. You don’t see this approach used much in the pros and I’m thinking there are a number of reasons for it. I would think the foremost reason is that, in the pros, the defenses are too good at simply jamming up the box to prevent sustained drives using this approach. Witness the failure rate of teams to convert on fourth and one situations when running the ball between the tackles.
If you don’t attempt to stretch the defense then any NFL defense will be able to contain an underneath offense. The majority of players are just too good at tackling, and too fast
That sound liks 1950’s football. You can’t play that way in the NFL now because the defenders are all too big and too fast. And we don’t have quarterbacks that can run well enough to play that way even if it would be effective. This offense simply could not work in the 21st century NFL.
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 24, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I have played football.
And I can attest to the fact that a good fullback who picks up some steam will make defenders cringe, at any level. Now if I had one blocking and then another one come barreling through the hole behind him, and this consistently hitting different holes, I think as a defender I would be quite impressed.
You say you´ve seen it. I think I´m being an innovator. I have not seen anyone employ this in any time period, or at any level.
Charles Ali and Lawrence Vickers are not going to make Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis, Terrelle Suggs, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, Casey Hampton, Keith Rivers, or Rey Maulauga cringe, ever.
You’re not an innovator.
www.lowbrowsophisticate.com
an innovator of ridiculous ideas, perhaps
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 24, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I have played football.
In the modern day NFL? Because every level is different. For everything up till about college (maybe some good high school leagues/states) you can win with “Just give it to the fast/big guy and let him run. Everyone else get in the defense’s way.”
Well, no, I haven´t played in the NFL.
But I have eyes to see, that the o-lines aren´t lined up on the line of scrimmage, they are standing up and yards off the line of scrimmage even before the ball is snapped. They are employing what I call a “pre collapsed pocket”, half the time they are telegraphing the play. In good o-line play no one in the whole stadium, except the offense knows whether it´s a run or pass until the ball is snapped and the play evolves. They´re stacking these roadblock guys, who as I´ve alluded to half aren´t even athletically inclined just huge, with barely a foot between them, they don´t go out and try to block the linebackers. You know it is physiologically possible to block in a way, so that the holes next to the center are actually open.
Anyways, I don´t advocate just giving the ball to the fast/big guy, I advocate “double trouble” in the backfield, pick your poison. One fullback will be hot, the other one better be hot to trot. In choosing a fullback, and most football afficiandos know what a true fullback is like, tough and ornery the guy that gets the most respect physically domineering never falls backwards ect., he would be neither huge nor super fast, just fearsome fullback quality enduring never say die.
What I´m actually after is the magic of football. I´ve met some great fullbacks, and they all have one thing in common, they were “the guy”, almost like loners like an old seargent. My goal is to bring the unique magic karma chemistry of two fullblooded stud fullbacks into the offensive backfield, create some character friction.
I really, really want whatever it is you’re smoking. Seriously.
www.lowbrowsophisticate.com
by kwoog on Jun 25, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Chris, I love these. I admit that without these, I might not have the energy or enthusiasm to find out any of this information….so thanks.
Thanks; I’ve wanted to crank every position out the past two years, but have come up short due to poor planning (training camp would start by the time I did the fourth of fifth preview).
My intention was to not just have the previews only during the designated schedule I said, but for quarterbacks I couldn’t really come up with a good idea for a secondary piece. I think I’ll have a little something tomorrow about a RB before moving onto the fullbacks Friday.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jun 24, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I want Davis and Ali on the roster before Herron
by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jun 26, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions
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