Deshaun Watson significantly improves Browns running game

The Cleveland Browns committed to improving their passing game this offseason. Acquiring Watson does that. But how will he affect the running game?

In what can be described as a kind of March Madness, the Cleveland Browns were in, then out, then back again on trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson. In the end, the Browns were the last team standing. Deshaun Watson chose to play for the Cleveland Browns. Let me say this again: Deshaun Watson chose to play for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns won March Madness.

The Browns rushing attack is already considered one of the best in the league. With the acquisition of Deshaun Watson, it just got significantly better.

The backside chaser killed the Browns running game last season. Play after play. The backside chaser would run down the line and tackle the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage.

It was sickening to watch. More than sickening to watch, it was stifling the only part of the Browns offense that was effective. With the passing game non-existent, the run was all the Browns had.

The outside zone offense is built on creating numerical advantages at the point of attack. Simply put, they want more blockers where the ball is going than there are defenders. This advantage is created by leaving a player unblocked.

This unblocked player is then put in a bind schematically. The play design forces the unblocked defender to have a conflict in the assignment. The unblocked defender is usually on the backside, the side of the play the ball is going away from, of the play design. This defender can be held in check through read options, quarterback roll-outs, etc.

The Browns struggled to put the backside defender in a schematic bind. They had the right plays. But teams did not respect the ability of quarterback Baker Mayfield to run the football with any effectiveness. Baker Mayfield was injured. Plus, he is not known for his athleticism.

Without that viable threat, the unblocked defender simply ignored the threat of the quarterback run. He was then free to chase down the running back. One could say the running back should run faster, but in the outside zone, the back is attempting to find a hole to advance the ball. It’s a slow track for the back while the defender is running full speed. The result was the virtual elimination of the outside zone from the Browns rushing attack.

Had there been an effective passing attack, the unblocked defender could have been occupied with a simple tight end route. But since defenders did not respect the Browns’ ability to throw the ball, the unblocked defender simply ignored any routes being run off zone play action.

At one point in the season, Cleveland attempted to take advantage of this. But Mayfield was unable to get an effective roll-out to create the time for the route to be run. Whether it was injury or athleticism, he was ineffective as both a thrower and a running threat.

How Deshaun Watson helps the running game

Deshaun Watson changes all of that. In the passing game, Watson brings the ability to read defenses, a strong arm, and patience in the pocket. But when the pocket breaks down, he is an effective runner.

This forces the defensive line to “contain rush” to keep him in the pocket so the secondary can cover without fear of the QB run. As an effective pocket passer, this plays into Watson’s hands. This is the reason Watson was acquired.

But it’s the rushing attack that really benefits. Watson’s passing skills combined with his athleticism and rushing ability now force the unblocked defender to account for Watson.

If the unblocked defender chases backside, Watson can run through the backside alley, space between the OT and WR, for a significant gain. This is the principle behind the read-option, the offense options the unblocked player.

If he takes the QB, the outside zone has a numbers advantage at the hole. If the chases the back, the quarterback is left undefended to run through the backside alley.

The same principle applies to the roll-out pass. If the defender chases, the QB can roll out and run. This makes the play action effective. If the defender chases, the QB has a clean space to throw the ball or run off the roll-out.

There is one guiding principle of the outside zone that is rarely discussed. The threat of the run is just as effective as an actual run. But if a team does not respect the threat of a quarterback run, then the overall effectiveness of the offense suffers.

The acquisition of Watson has instantly made the Browns offense more dynamic. He clearly upgrades the passing attack. But he also significantly upgrades the rushing attack.

AFC North teams should be concerned. They should be very concerned.