Browns players who must step up in 2015 (Part 2)

Mark Riley

Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) and Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow the Cleveland Browns open what promises to be an exciting training camp, one that will hopefully answer some concerns surrounding the team heading into the 2015 NFL season.

Will the quarterback situation be better? Will the rookies have the impact we hope for? Will the free agents acquired have anything left in the tank, or were they just looking for that last huge payday? Is our depth adequate? Will the price of a hot dog at FirstEnergy go up? Who’s jersey should I invest my hard-earned dollars on? Burning questions all.

One factor above all of these impacts each and every one of the questions (well, maybe not the hot dog query), and that is the actual play on the field. Simply put, there are several players who must perform better this season for the Browns to reach any of their stated goals.

Today, in addition to looking at which players must step up their game, we also focus on a few areas that need to be better this season in order for our beloved Browns to attain the success they and we, hope to see.

As in my previous article, these views are up for debate, but not a competition, so no wagering please!

Next: The Running Attack

Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) carries the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

We all were pleasantly surprised with the performance of Terrence West and Isaiah Crowell last season, as both rushed for upwards of 600 yards, but neither really established themselves as the go-to back. West especially suffered early on from a fumbling problem, which landed him in head coach Mike Pettine‘s dog house.

Still, considering the small schools they came from, Crowell from Alabama State and West from Towson, one can live with the idea of the pair being star struck and perhaps lacking confidence in their own abilities. That is fine for the first year but now, with a full season of expectations and practices behind them, they must elevate their game.

Admittedly, they both were better as the season went on, especially Crowell. Their respective yards per rush dropped a ton when Alex Mack went down with the broken leg (per ESPN Stats & Information, the Browns averaged 4.4 yards per carry with Mack on the field and 3.3 without him), and neither really showed much in the passing game. Both of this issues must improve dramatically, considering the Browns claim they are going to focus on the running attack.

Duke Johnson, the team’s third-round pick out of Miami of Florida, has demonstrated both in college and in OTAs that not only does he run impressively, but is a real pass catching threat as well. Johnson, very quietly became the No. 1 rusher in Miami’s long train of running backs, many of which were stars in the NFL.

Johnson can be a great outlet for Josh McCown on swing passes and plays into the flat that allow Johnson to exploit his natural ability to gain massive chunks of yardage and extend drives. Johnson can be a Greg Pruitt-type of running back, one who is a real asset when drives are stalling, and a change of pace from the bigger-back running style of West and Crowell.

The characteristics that Johnson brings to the field are ones that the Browns running game has lacked since, well Pruitt’s heyday in the 1970s. I see Johnson as the Browns Offensive Rookie of the Year.

I don’t honestly see our fullbacks as having much impact other than to block, but if the running backs elevate to the level proposed here, the Browns plan to be a running team should prove successful.

Next: The Tight Ends

Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler against the Washington Redskins at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the departure of budding star Jordan Cameron, the Browns’ tight end crew must really develop quickly. Acquiring fifth-year tight end Rob Housler, a 6-foot-5, 250-pounder from the Arizona Cardinals, was a savvy move by general manager Ray Farmer. Housler is steady, if unheralded, but has the type of frame that gets the yards needed in short-yardage situations. If you need three yards, Housler will get you three yards.

He is a genuine terror in the seam, and has tackle-breaking capability. I believe he comes in sort of under the radar, but will prove to be an asset here. If Johnson becomes the out-of-the-backfield pass-catching threat I believe he will be, Housler’s ability to find himself wide open in the seam becomes a real possibility.

This should be true for Gary Barnidge, as well, who has been solid as a blocker, but certainly could realize more opportunities to be a pass catching threat if Johnson develops.

Next: The Head Coach

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine walks down the sidelines during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t believe it’s too much to ask that the head coach step up his game as well. Pettine is now well into his second year at the helm, has all his preferences in place, and his virtual thumbprint on all aspects of the team’s development, as he should.

My personal experience as a football coach, observing and working with head coaches like Berea-Midpark head man Ray Hradek, shows me how vitally important the head coach is. Not just to the X’s and O’s, but to the overall development of the team’s style. Head coaches instill things like grittiness and toughness in a team, making the players a reflection of themselves. They show heart when it’s needed, anger when it’s warranted, and selflessness at all times.

Much in the same way I have seen these characteristics in Hradek, I see them in Pettine. I believe in Pettine, and I believe he has found a home here and has become Cleveland. He’s not flashy. He’s not obnoxious. He’s not looking to make anyone look foolish. What he is, is a solid, grounded, “get it done” coach who plainly loves the game and will win here.

This is your team Pettine, take the next step up. In this town, if you can get us to a Super Bowl, you’ll never have to pay for a meal again.

Next: Final Thoughts

May 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Terrelle Pryor (3) during OTAs at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Postscript revelation regarding Part 1 of this article: Pardon me if I failed to recognize this tidbit before, but if the Terrelle Pryor experiment works and he makes the team as a sixth or seventh wide out, the Browns suddenly have an extra roster spot.

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Pryor could become the emergency quarterback should McCown get hurt or Johnny Manziel get taken by space aliens. No disrespect to Thad Lewis or Connor Shaw, but with Pryor filling two roles, the Browns could retain another inside linebacker or defensive lineman, both areas where the Browns have proven to be thin and or injury prone. Just a thought.

Early early prediction time. Looking at the schedule briefly, I see the Browns going 9-7 or perhaps, with a ray of sunshine from the football gods, 10-6. Of course, like every Browns fan, I reserve the right to amend, alter or outright change my prediction depending on what I have had to eat or changes in the weather forecast.

Which training camp stories are you most looking forward to?

Next: Mike Pettine talks, but is anyone actually listening?

Mark Riley

Native of Berea, Ohio, have been a high school football coach for 10+ years, father of one.