Report: Terrance West Could Start Tonight
The Cleveland Browns Thursday Night Football square off with the Cincinnati Bengals in cold, wet conditions. Perfect conditions for an old school AFC North battle.
The weather will put extra emphasis on the run games for both teams. For the Bengals the loss of Giovani Bernard, we covered his absence here, and possible Andre Smith could hinder them getting their run game going.
For the Browns they have to figure out how to make up for the loss of Alex Mack and get some type of running game going. The Browns have averaged under 2.0 yards per carry in their last three games.
That spark may be coming from a change in the starting lineup. Jerry Fowler helps cover the Browns for ESPN and made this note in his post just after 4PM today:
"Expect Terrance West to be the first back out of the stable, and don’t be surprised if Isaiah Crowell is reinserted to the lineup. Ben Tate‘s play has been off of late. Tate will still be a part of things, I suspect, but Crowell could be a necessary spark."
Fowler’s role with the biggest sports media coverage in the world gives him access to coaches, practices and players.
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His note makes it seem as if West and Crowell, the Baby Backs, could be back atop the Browns depth chart, at least in reps given, tonight. Tate, the veteran, hasn’t looked the same since returning but is still a capable back. One of Tate’s strong suits is getting the extra yard or two on run plays. He turns small loses into small gains and is able to push piles ahead. His advanced knowledge of the Zone Blocking Scheme was also apparent early in the season.
Over the past few games the Browns have decided to focus on only two backs, leaving Crowell out of the game plan. Whispers out of Cleveland are that he still struggles with ball security, even in practice. Yet he also is violent and explosive at the point of attack. He doesn’t dance, something West can struggle with, and he has breakaway speed.
With the weather conditions slowing the team down and Jordan Cameron out the run game will be vital. How the Browns deploy their three backs will be an interesting story by the end of the night.
What do you make of this report? Who do you think should get the carries tonight?