The Opening Drive 12/2: Snow Days and Rushing Efficiency
The Browns really have two talented running backs and a bright future but the system has to match.
Listen, I have to start today checking in as a parent. Let’s talk snow days. Is there anything more awesome growing up while more gruesome as an adult than these days? I genuinely question it. The kids are outside of their structure going wild within the walls of the house. Parents are trying to just get by every hour without having a total meltdown. It’s brutal, folks. Nothing hinders work-from-home production quite like your own little kids running rampant around the house seeking entertainment.
Then, once you get them outside to actually play in the snow, you then have the 47 layers of clothes to dry and get organized again. Needless to say, the near half a foot of snow that dumped on us in central Ohio has really turned the day upside down. I understand why the older generation seeks warm weather. This stuff wears on you.
Hence why I am “team dome” for the Browns looming stadium and have been from the jump. Nobody actually likes the snow and being cold. We lie to ourselves to justify where we live, folks. But cold weather and snow does make me think about running the football and that is where we will shift our topic today.
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Opening Drive 12/1: The Browns Continue to Beat Themselves on Offense
Browns’ Undisciplined Effort Costs Them in 26-8 Loss to 49ers: Game Notes
GameDay Opening Drive 11/30: Keep the Hope Alive in Cleveland
As the Browns move into the month of December, and whatever looms in the long term, the clear element here is the Browns have to make life easier on their quarterbacks for any success. Whether that is the rest of the way this year or making life easy for their future rookie quarterback, it has to happen. The young running backs have enough talent to get the job done. We are seeing it consistently from Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson has been coming on of late, but the product is still too “boom or bust.”
We got a brief glimpse of how efficiency in the run game can work for a young quarterback on the Browns lone touchdown drive of the game. They went 90 yards in 10 plays and only one of those plays was a dropback pass (Sanders 34-yard strike to Fannin Jr.). They ran the ball with their running backs on seven of the plays, hit Malachi Corley for a FLY sweep for nine yards, and ran a reverse to Isaiah Bond that netted another nine. Otherwise it was wide zone runs with some duo sprinkled in. It was a blast of nostalgia for the offense.
Despite a few drives like that this season, the offense once again has the league’s lowest 5+ yard rush percentage and the league’s 6th highest percentage of runs that go for zero or negative yards. It has been a problem throughout the season and has forced several games where an aging Joe Flacco or rookie quarterbacks have had to carry the load. That simply cannot happen next year. It is the non-negotiable.
This is the singular focus for me this offseason. Can they get someone to run this offense who can put the run game in the best position possible and can they find the proper personnel. The backfield is talented enough but they need some select offensive lineman and another true blocking tight end. I know the quarterback will be the focus, and rightfully so, but they better give this issue the proper attention it deserves in both coaching and personnel.
Browns Film Breakdown will return soon with more All-22 from yesterday’s loss.
I agree with everything you say. To me the line is the issue. Once again the coaching staff and front office missed in their evaluation. They need to revamp the entire O line next season.