Cleveland Browns Playmakers Adjusting To Run-Focused Approach

If the Browns have done nothing else through two weeks, they have at least established an identity: run the ball. 

Cleveland showcased its dare-you-to-stop-it rushing philosophy on its final drive against the Bengals last week. Leading 28-23 with 5:55 remaining, the Browns ran the ball six straight times on the 75-yard touchdown drive. 

Thanks in Large part to Nick Chubb (22 carries, 124 yards, two touchdowns) and Kareem Hunt (10 carries, 86 yards, one touchdown), the Browns ran for 215 yards agains Cincinnati. Fullback Andy Janovich said they could’ve run for a few hundred more. Joel Bitonio wouldn’t go that far, but he did enjoy his role in the Browns’ game-clinching, muscle-flexing drive.

“Those are the chances you get where you want to try to wear down the defense,” Bitonio said. With those two, it is really fun blocking for those guys. You do not really tell the difference. One guy comes in fresh, and it is just like, ‘OK, here we go. Let’s go.’”

While Bitonio cleared the way for Chubb and Hunt in Week 2, the Browns’ other playmakers made sacrifices.

Jarvis Landry, who holds the record for most receptions through the first six seasons of a career, caught three passes. Austin Hooper, who briefly became the league’s highest paid tight end when the Browns signed him this offseason, caught two passes for 22 yards. He has zero touchdowns through two games. 

Odell Beckham Jr. accumulated more than half of his 74 receiving yards on his 43-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. If the Browns stay this committed to their running backs, that probably won’t be the only game where Beckham relies on big plays for production. He’s learning to accept that he might not see his usual volume of targets.

“For me, one of my biggest growths has come in acceptance in a sense and for me knowing it is probably not going to be that kind of season,” Beckham said. “Then I think you learn where you fit in and where you are able to make your plays and how you can help the team.”

Essentially, Beckham is re-defining what success will mean to him this season. One week, it might still be catching 10 passes for 100 yards. But others, he said it could mean making the block that springs Hunt or Chubb for a touchdown. 

Browns offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt singled Hooper out as someone who has already adjusted well to the Browns run-focused attack. Hooper’s lack of targets has not at all affected the intensity with which he run blocks. 

“Gees, Hoop is just a team guy,” Van Pelt said. “His run-game blocking is something that probably does not flash on TV, but you see it often on the field. He is a big part of the success, as are all the tight ends, in our run game right now.”

Van Pelt also mentioned that the Browns have already seen teams pivoting to five-defensive-lineman formations to combat the Browns’ run game. He expects they’ll see more if Chubb and Hunt continue their success. 

That’s where players like Hooper, Beckham and Landry can flash their play-making abilities. 

“Teams are going to have to put an extra defender down there, and then that is the old give-and-takes,” Van Pelt said. “Now, all of sudden, you are outside and you are one-on-one, you are not doubling people with the high safeties over the top and then it opens up the passing game for you. We are excited to take advantage of the matchups outside, which we will have this week.”

That give and take works both ways. After seeing plays like Beckham’s long touchdown last week, teams might think twice about stacking the box against Cleveland. 

Those hard decisions are the basis upon which the Browns hope to build its offense. Their identity may be run-based, but their ceiling is based in balance.

“You saw it last week on the long touchdown,” Bitonio said. “Someone is going to have to respect that. (Beckham) still opens it up for for Jarvis underneath, Hoop underneath and for the running game.”