[h=1]Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' run emphasis, the Indians' pitching issues and the Cavaliers' quiet off-season[/h][h=5]Published: Saturday, July 07, 2012, 11:56 PM[/h]By
Terry Pluto, The Plain DealerThe Plain Dealer
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View full sizeLonnie Timmons III, The Plain DealerTrent Richardson is the embodiment of the Browns' renewed determination to be successful on the ground in 2012, says Terry Pluto.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the streets are sizzling, talking about football at least calls to mind cooler afternoons ...
About the Browns and the running game...
1. The coaches were excited with the performance of Trent Richardson at the minicamps. The final test of a running back is when there is tackling, but the Browns already believe their selection of the Alabama running back was worth the No. 3 spot in the draft.
2. Start with the fact that the running game in 2011 was bad. Make that terrible. Make it No. 28 in total yards. Even more revealing, the Browns were 31st out of 32 teams in yards per carry, at 3.7.
3. Football Outsiders has a complicated formula for rating teams, using the type of metrics that many front offices employ. The details are very complicated, but the bottom line was the Browns ranked 31st in running the ball. No matter how you look at it, they were awful.
4. That's why they didn't care that only 14 teams start first-round draft picks as running backs, or none of the top five rushers from 2011 were picked higher than No. 53 in the draft. For all the talk about the West Coast Offense, the Browns are determined to run it with authority this season.
5. So they went against the trend and took Richardson because they believe he'll make an immediate impact. He played in Nick Saban's pro offense at Alabama. The Browns thought Richardson was easy to evaluate because he played in the SEC, which usually has the fastest and most elite athletes. He played for a tough coach who has an NFL background, and Saban gave the Browns glowing reports -- telling them how did the little things such as blocking in pass protection and even was very effective (and willing) as a special teams player in his first two seasons.
6. The Browns like that he didn't have a massive amount of carries in college. Richardson had a total of 257 carries in his first two seasons, then 283 (for 1,679 yards) in 2011. Some running backs are physically beat up by the time they reach the NFL.
7. The Browns don't talk about it, but the staff was shocked at how poorly Peyton Hillis blocked in 2011. Maybe it was because he battled injuries, or because he was depressed over his contract situation. But Hillis was not the physical force that he was in 2010.
8. In the minicamps, the Browns liked how Richardson picked the right holes. They appreciated how he "hid" behind his blockers. He's listed at 5-10, and that may be if he's measured on his toes. But shorter backs can have an advantage because it's harder to tackle them -- and it's easier to use their legs to kick off the hands of defenders.
9. Saban insisted Richardson was a good receiver, and that proved true in the minicamps. He didn't lose a fumble as a senior. In his career, he fumbled only seven times -- losing one. His good hands were evident.
10. The Browns called him a "patient runner," allowing the blockers to get ahead and waiting for an opening -- then showing a quick burst once making a decision. His work ethic and attitude has been excellent. The Browns appreciate how he has not said anything controversial about Jim Brown's criticisms.
11. Even more exciting is they see real depth at the position. Veteran Brandon Jackson is healthy and has established himself as the No. 2 back. He is solid in blocking, catching passes and doing what the coaches expect. In 2010, he rushed for 703 yards and caught 43 passes for the Packers. He's only 26, so Jackson fits with the younger team the Browns are building.
12. There will be a major battle between Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya for the third back. This is the healthiest and best that the Browns have seen Hardesty. But the 2010 second-rounder has been hurt in the last two training camps once full contact began. Hardesty gained 266 yards, but averaged only 3.0 per carry last season.
13. Ogbonnaya's 334 yards translated into a 4.6 average. He also caught 23 passes with one drop. Hardesty had 14 catches and six drops. Hardesty was never close to 100 percent physically, but if Ogbonnaya were a second-round pick and Hardesty the free agent, wouldn't there be more talk about Ogbonnaya?
14. That said, the coaches have noticed Ogbonnaya. They want the third running back to play special teams, especially on coverage. Ogbonnaya can do that. Can Hardesty do so and stay healthy? One of these backs will be cut, unless someone is hurt in training camp. It will be worth watching how they make the final decision.
15. Finally, back to the 2011 running game. The Browns' longest run of the season was 40 yards, with their four rushing touchdowns ranked dead last in the NFL. In two seasons as the Rams offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur gave the ball to Steven Jackson enough for him to gain 2,657 yards and average 327 carries per season. New offensive coordinator Brad Childress had Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, and he also likes to run the ball. So Richardson fits into their game plan for 2012.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2012/07/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_54.html
AP
