What is wrong with the Browns’ running game?
By Joel W. Cade
Play-action passing
Play-action passing is another option to beat a stuffed box. The Browns tried this the entire game against the Titans last week. Although it was effective in the short-term, it had long-term negative consequences due to the inability to protect the quarterback.
Almost all the major hits put on Kessler were the result of a missed assignment on a play-action pass. Either the offensive line failed to execute the run blocking scheme effectively as a part of the play action or the receivers failed to hold blocks long enough to protect Kessler before going out on routes.
Nonetheless, the Browns tied to use football Tae-Kwon Do by using the eight man box against their opponent. Unfortunately, teams blitzed more people than the Browns could block leading to hits on Kessler.
This option did not work for the Browns.
Edge and Perimeter Blocking need work
A major part of the Browns’ success in the running game has been their ability to block on the perimeter. Blocking on the perimeter usually refers to the blocking of wide receiver in space, tight ends on the end of the line of scrimmage and any blocking by backs out of the backfield in space.
During the preseason, perimeter blocking was terrible. Neither Gary Barnidge nor Terrelle Pryor run blocked effectively. As a result, the Browns had no running game during the preseason.
Once the season came along, perimeter blocking picked up. Terrelle Pryor even received penalties for excessive roughness and blocking downfield early in run blocking situations. Gary Barnidge also picked up his run blocking. He began to block effectively on the edge of the line.
However, over the past two weeks, both Barnidge and Pryor have missed significant blocks on the edge. Further compounding the issue is that if Pryor could crack back upon a safety in the box, the outside power game would be wide open. By putting eight in the box, a receiver is usually one-on-one outside the formation. Any semblance of blocking on the edge of the formation and on the perimeter will fix the run game immediately. Two or three successful runs outside and the safeties will magically disappear from the box.
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It is hard to overestimate the loss of Randall Telfer. My initial reaction to Telfer’s injury was, “there goes the run game.” Sadly, this has proven true. Telfer is an exceptional run blocker on the edge of the formation. Getting him back this week will help secure the power run game, but only if the Browns can find a guard who can kick out the last man on the line of scrimmage.
The Browns running game has disappeared because the offensive line is unstable, unable to effectively zone block, cannot protect Kessler in play-action passes and the dearth of blocking on the edge and perimeter.
All of these issues are fixable. The left guard position needs solidified by either correcting Bailey’s technique or getting Jonathan Cooper ready to go. Cam Erving needs to figure out line calls and be more technically sound run blocking. Pryor and Barnidge need to block better and Randall Telfer’s return will help tremendously.
It is a lot to fix.