Cleveland Browns Running Game Continues To Be a Concern

There were plenty of good things to take out of last week’s pre-season win against the Tennessee Titans.

Defensively, while the first unit allowed Titan quarterback Kerry Collins to have his way with them in the first quarter, the Browns did manage to hold the Titan running game in check. That is no easy task against running backs Chris Johnson and Lendale White, who steam-rolled over most NFL squads last season.

For the second week in a row, Kamerion Wimbley played well by consistently putting pressure on the quarterback and having his hand in 3 tackles. Eric Barton, Kenyon Coleman, D’Qwell Jackson and C.J.Mosley all acquitted themselves quite well with the first string front seven.

Linebacker Alex Hall made a fantastic interception and return for a touchdown on a pass in the flats. It was encouraging to see the young, converted defensive end making a contribution in pass coverage. Titan backup quarterback Vince Young helped out with a boneheaded decision under pressure, but Hall was still in the right position to make the play.

Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald continue to make progress as second-year cornerbacks. While Mike Adams got in on five tackles in his battle with Brodney Pool for one of the starting safety spots.

Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and Richard Bartel had the passing game humming, going a combined 21 of 29 for 245 yards. All the receivers and backs chipped in against one of the top defenses in the league. The Titans defense is strong and deep.

It was nice to see the new coaching staff incorporate the screen pass into the offense. Quinn, the offensive line, as well as Jamal Lewis and rookie James Davis ran the play as crisply and effectively as Browns fans have seen in quite some time.

The Special Teams were truly special. We are used to seeing Joshua Cribbs put the offense in good field position. But in addition to a blocked field goal by Robaire Smith, the special teams unit held the Titans to averages of 15-yards on five kickoff returns and 3-yards on one punt return.

But concerns remain in the running game. Jamal Lewis averaged just 2.3 yards per attempt, which is about his average for the entire preseason (2.6). Granted, rookie James Davis was more successful at 5 carries for 28-yards. But keep in mind that many of Davis’ runs have come out of passing formations on passing downs.

The bottom line is that the Browns have to do a better job of running the ball on first and second down or teams will start teeing off on whoever the quarterback is. The team added bulk across the offensive line to improve in this area. But to this point in the preseason, they have done little to instill much confidence.

There are a lot of people who are down on Jamal Lewis and are clamoring for James Davis to take his place. Lewis has looked indecisive and slow thus far, while Davis has looked spectacular. The preseason stats bear out the conclusion that Lewis should sit in favor of the rookie.

But a forewarning to anyone who is listening - it is still too early to put a rookie sixth-round pick into the role of workhorse back. Davis has much to learn that one training camp cannot cure.

Whether Lewis or the offensive line should take the brunt of the criticism is yet to be determined. However, if this problem does not straighten itself out soon, Sundays are not going to be much fun in Browns Town.