5 storylines heading into Browns training camp
Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34), Cleveland Browns tight end Jim Dray (81), Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) and Cleveland Browns tight end Rob Housler (84) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
- The running-back position and the emergence of a bonafide starter
This is probably the most intriguing battle heading into camp. The Browns return their two “baby-backs” from last season with Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell along with the addition of Duke Johnson via the 2015 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami (Fla.). Last year, the team tried the three-headed approach with Ben Tate, West and Crowell splitting carries. What resulted is none of the three emerged as the true bell-cow back the team coveted.
Related: Cleveland Browns 2015 position preview – Running Backs
After the release of Tate midway through the 2014 season the team turned to West as the starter initially, but West failed to impress. Crowell was the next to be given an opportunity and ran well, but ball handling eventually became a point of question with him. Hence, the team turned to the draft to bring in Johnson who is the all-time leading rusher in Miami Hurricanes history to compete with the two incumbents.
Johnson, bring a Darren Sproles-esque running style to the team and could excel as the starter as he can catch the ball out of the backfield consistently, but West and Crowell won’t just rollover and let the rookie take carries away from them without a fight. Should be an intense battle leading up to opening day.
Next: The rebuilt receiving corp.