Browns Backfield Depth a Big Upgrade

Last season the Brown’s one-two punch at running back was Jerome Harrison and Jamal Lewis.  But, with the retirement of Lewis (who only had a 3.5 yard per rush average last season) and the drafting of Montario Hardesty out of Tennessee with the 59th pick Cleveland looks to be building a strength at the running back position.

The third leading rusher for the Browns  last season with 55 carries for 381 yards was Joshua Cribbs.  Even though he is an excellent/versatile player the Browns have made the right moves to ensure that he is not overused  in the Wildcat and can focus on effecting field position in the return game.  Peyton Hillis was acquried by Cleveland as an H-back type player in the Brady Quinn trade with Denver.  He ran for a 5 yard per rush average with 5 TDs on 343 carries for the Broncos in 2008 before being relegated to a reserve role with the drafting of Knowshon Moreno and the resurgence of ex-Eagle Corell Burkhalter.

James Davis was the seventh round draft pick for the Browns last season.  He only played in 2 games before being injured, averaging only 1.7 yards per carry.  In his absence the Browns were forced to rely on another rookie, Chris Jennings, an undrafted free agent out of Arizona.  He ended the season with 220 yards and had an excellent game against division rival Pittsburgh late in the season, scoring his first career NFL touchdown.

Another key move was retaining starting fullback Lawrence Vickers.  He has played his entire 4 year career with Cleveland.  He has scored a total of 3 TDs in that time.

Drafting Hardesty, who is a big power back out of the University of Tennesee (who does that remind you of?) and bringing in Hillis will definitely help the Browns in short yardage.  Harrison will most likely take over the starting position while those two get more familiar with the system.  Jerome Harrison led the team in rushing (862 yards) and receptions (34).  Between James Davis and Chris Jennings the team may choose to keep a 4th running back.  After last season Jennings surely knows it is not where you start, but where you finnish.