The Cleveland Browns have no doubt enhanced their front office, coaching and roster in their organization overhaul during the 2016 offseason. New faces are set to take over and one player to watch in particular is second-year running back Duke Johnson Jr., who impressed in his rookie season flashing his evasiveness and potential.
The team landed their preferred head coach in Hue Jackson, promoted Sashi Brown to Executive vice president of football operations, hired Paul “Moneyball” DePodesta to contribute to their analytical approach, drafted well at the 2016 NFL Draft and recently learned Pro Bowl wideout Josh Gordon is back from suspension. The Cleveland Browns have created the blueprints to build the foundation for this football team to find stabilized success – and they’re finally following it.
Duke Johnson provided a spark for the lackluster Cleveland Browns in 2015 and his role is expected to expand in the upcoming 2016 NFL season. The sophomore will be sharing the backfield with Isaiah Crowell, who has caught flack from the media due to a picture he posted on social media in reference to the recent violence in the country. It’s worth noting that the President of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association Stephen Loomis threatened to not provide law enforcement at First Energy Stadium.
Fortunately for both parties, the CPD accepted Crowell’s second apology which included donating his first game-check to the Dallas Police Department. That being said, it’s likely the duo will remain splitting time but it appears as if the team is gearing to hand Johnson the keys to the car.
ProFootballFocus ranked the Browns running backs No. 21 in the NFL for the position heading into the season and, to no surprise, Johnson was a significant reason why.
Duke Johnson certainly impressed as a rookie with the highest receiving grade and sixth-highest rushing grade in the class. The question now becomes whether or not he can he do it in a full-time role. Johnson received 10+ carries in only two games last season, and never 15+ carries in a single outing. He still produced the highest elusive rating of any rookie back (60.9), and we like his chances of maintaining a high level of play with more touches.
Johnson was primarily used in the passing attack by the Browns during his lone season as Crowell received most of the carries. Duke saw only 104 carries to Crow’s 185 while totaling 61 receptions to Crowell’s 19. Clearly Johnson’s usage on the field was quite predictable – leading opposing defenses to sniff out the likelihood of Johnson’s usage while behind the quarterback.
This season will be significantly different, although. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson and head coach Hue Jackson have been adamant in their confidence the former Miami Hurricane has to offer in terms of potential, and increasing the overall workload goes without saying. Due to the usage rates of Johnson in 2015 it’s easy to assume that the tailback is an elusive back that only offers high success in making plays after the catch, opposed to being a three-down back. Yet, what most fans don’t realize is he played for the Hurricanes and not only faired well – he holds the all-time rushing record for one of the most decorated football schools in the country. 3,519 rushing yards snapped Ottis Anderson’s previous record of 3,331 yards. He also ranks No. 5 all-time for yards per carry, although the amount of rushes was far beyond those ranked above him.
Johnson was a standout player that wrote his name all over the Miami Hurricanes record book and the Cleveland Browns are planned on incorporating him – and the run – more efficiently in 2016. When asked if Jackson will have the run as the heart of this Browns offense Johnson answered with, “he’s made that clear with the whole physical mentality.”
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/08/how_isaiah_crowell_duke_johnso_1.html
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/05/browns_3rd_round_rb_duke_johns.html
