You mention Nick Chubb and everyone has an opinion. Should he be getting the football more? Here are three reasons why using him more makes sense
It’s year five of his career and Nick Chubb is having his best one yet. The 740 yards gained, and eight touchdowns scored to this point are showing the rest of the league why he is the best back in football.
Despite, this fact, some are hoping and believing that Chubb should be given the ball even more. Cleveland is 2-5 and needs a win in a big way as they have AFC North division rival Cincinnati Bengals coming to town on Halloween night. Treating Cleveland fans to a bit more Chubb running the ball might be the best option to get back to a winning formula.
Let’s discuss three reasons why giving Chubb the ball more often could be the difference in this next game and for the rest of the season
3 reasons to give Nick Chubb the ball more
3: The time is now
The Browns are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and signs don’t point to a win anytime soon. The team needs to do something different. Besides that glowing problem, you also have a running back in his prime leading the league in almost every rushing category.
Chubb’s shelf life isn’t going to last much longer before things start to become stale so it might be best to use him more now while he still has everything going for him. He’s maintained a pretty healthy career. Yes, some of that is probably due to the Browns being conservative on their use of him but at this stage, it might be time to let the former Georgia Bulldog run until he really tires.
The debate over the use of Chubb has revolved around several factors including using him in a backfield with Kareem Hunt. That fact has limited Chubb to carry the football from anywhere between 15 to 20 times a game. The presence of Hunt has also meant that Chubb comes off the field on third downs or doesn’t fit into the team’s two-minute offense at the close of the half or at the end of games.
Those that support this plan usually will argue that these moments are more or less passing downs and Hunt is the better pass receiver.
Whatever you argue you can’t deny that Chubb is a running back and the expiration date on them in the NFL is sooner than later. While those who contend that Chubb is being used wisely to preserve his talents, others will ask, “why wait?” The time could very well be now.
He’s in the middle of his current contract, one which he signed early to show his commitment to the team. If Cleveland tries to preserve his abilities by being overly cautious, what good will all that matter when in the end the team continues to flounder and lose games?
No. 2: He’s the Browns best offensive weapon
Entering Week 8, Nick Chubb leads the league in several rushing categories. That includes rushing yards (740), yards after contact (510), and rushing touchdowns (8). He’s the team’s best offensive player and should be used that way. While he’s been given many opportunities and produced it still seems as if he could help this offense out even more if used more.
Right now, Cleveland has a backup quarterback in Jacoby Brissett filling in as the starter until Deshaun Watson returns from an 11-game suspension — which will be in Week 13 against Houston. Brissett shouldn’t be expected to win games for the team via his arm but that’s what it seems the Cleveland coaching staff plans to do week in and week out. That may be the formula to win games by many teams in the NFL, but for the Browns, it’s the run game that should dominate a game with passing sprinkled in.
That’s not to suggest that Chubb be handed the ball 40 times a game for the team to have a chance. But it is a strong suggestion that giving him more than 20 carries in a game would probably be a better way to get a victory.
No. 1: The Chubb and Hunt combo isn’t working
The fact is the Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt dual threat that’s been talked about and used for the past several seasons has run its course. Put a fork in it. It’s not working and it’s hurting the team now.
Yes, the two running backs have a wealth of talent, and each brings his own style of running. But now the swamping out of each on alternating offensive series is stalling a lot more. Hunt has been especially ineffective in his recent games.
In Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, Hunt came into the game on the third offensive possession. He went on to get tackled twice on the first two downs and lost a total of nine yards. He recovered a bit later in the game but after watching Chubb shred the Ravens’ defense in the first two offensive possessions, it was a real setback to the team moving the ball.
Hunt’s name has been circulating in sports headlines this past week because of the possibility that he could be traded by the Nov. 1 trade deadline. Hunt is likely on the move to another team anyways at the end of the season because the Browns have indicated they aren’t interested in resigning him.
Why continue to try and force something like this Chubb and Hunt project when it’s obvious that it’s over? The two players have discussed the fact that they have liked being teammates and Chubb has said he’d be unhappy if Hunt were traded or left in free agency this offseason. But this game is a business and it’s time to put a wrap on things.