Browns’ success in ‘08 contingent on running game

By Zachary Bardou  |   Monday, July 07, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Cleveland Browns
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While there may be doubts about a young and shallow secondary and the best way to proceed with quarterback depth, the success of the Cleveland Browns in 2008 will ultimately hinge on running back Jamal Lewis and his backups.

An improved defensive line that's bolstered by the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams should make things easier for Cleveland’s young cornerbacks and, with all the weapons that the Browns boast in the passing game, either quarterback -- whether it's Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn -- would probably flourish behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. What will ultimately determine the amount of success the team achieves in 2008, on the other hand, are the tenacity and resiliency of the running game.

There is no doubt that Lewis earned his contract extension and the featured back role again with his 2007 performance, but he turns 29 in August and has carried the ball 2,120 times over the last seven years. Some would argue that, while 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground in 2007 sound like good season totals, Lewis was actually somewhat inconsistent, tallying four of those scores in the same game and totaling under 75 yards in eight contests.

His detractors will assert that Lewis is destined for a drop-off in production this season, given his age and career workload. Such a result would be disastrous for a Browns squad that will need to be able to keep its offense balanced if the upgrades made in the offseason are to catapult this team into contention. There are several reasons for optimism, however.

Cleveland's offensive line, anchored by second-year superbrute Joe Thomas and veteran Eric Steinbach, boasts the sort of talent that Lewis ran behind in Baltimore in 2003, when he ran for over 2,000 yards. In his first year behind this new line, Lewis saw his production jump, gaining almost 200 more yards on 15 fewer carries than he received with Baltimore in 2006. He increased his average by nearly a yard per carry. He also caught 12 more passes, doubling his receiving yardage from the previous year, and added two more touchdowns through the air.

Also, the Browns added field-stretching wideout Donte Stallworth during the offseason. The speedy ex-Patriot will help to spread defenses, freeing up the other receivers and creating running lanes for the backs. If the Cleveland offensive line can stay relatively healthy, Lewis should be in for another superb season. That is, of course, if the veteran can avoid injuries.

Behind Lewis, the Browns are somewhat thin at running back. Though Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison are capable of effectively lessening Lewis’ load, neither back really has the tools to step in and produce like the starter in the event of an injury. The Browns do not have a lot of wiggle room under the salary cap to bring in another back, but finding a way to do it could go a long way in helping them succeed.

Many teams, including Jacksonville, Dallas, Tennessee, New England (four of the top five rushing squads in the NFL last season) and the Super Bowl champion Giants, have found that using different backs for different situations can yield great results. That strategy has also protected those deep running games against potential injuries. As of today, the Browns will need Lewis to come back with an encore performance this season if they hope to contend, but a little diversification and insurance could go a long way in assuring the team a spot in the playoffs in 2008.
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About Zachary Bardou

I am a freelancer journalist, editorialist and blogger from Richmond, VA. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and my work has since appeared in Richmond Magazine, Style Magazine, High Times Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Shoutmouth.com and...
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