Finding Hope For the Cleveland Browns
May 21, 2014; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (left) and quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) during organized team activities at Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Shanahan
While the Browns offense didn’t impress anyone against Washington, Shanahan is still an asset to the team. His creative offenses delivered us Robert Griffin III, zone-read plays and an ever steady diet of the Zone Blocking Scheme. In his six years as an offensive coordinator Shanahan has finished in the top half in yards five times. He was in the top 13 four of those years as well.
The Browns have revamped their offensive players to fit around Shanahan. They kept All Pro center Alex Mack, drafted rookie guard Joel Bitonio in the second round and brought in running backs that actually seem like they should be playing meaningful minutes in the NFL. Instead of Willis McGahee, Fozzy Whitaker or Edwin Baker, the Browns will run out Ben Tate and Terrance West at the top of their depth chart. To say that the difference is night and day would be an understatement.
The Browns also added Andrew Hawkins and a slew of young receivers that should benefit from Shanahan’s play action, bootleg system. Hawkins especially should see a boon in his production. A small player, Hawkins is able to win in small spaces with a variety of release moves that tend to leave his defender looking foolish. While a healthy, motivated and not-suspended Josh Gordon would completely change the dynamics of the offense, the smaller, precise route runners fit perfectly into Shanny’s system.