Cleveland Browns' off-season commitment to running game is encouraging: Analysis

Browns signing running back Ben Tate

Browns fans would love to see Ben Tate (44) score a few touchdowns for the Browns. They finished last in rushing TDs in 2013 with four.

(Associated Press)

BEREA, Ohio – The futility of the Browns’ running game last season might have been best demonstrated in one of its few moments of success.

The club’s first rushing touchdown came in Week 5 against the Mike Pettine-led Buffalo Bills defense. The Browns had first-and-goal at the 1 and required everything but a medieval catapult to get 32-year-old Willis McGahee up, over and into the end zone on three tries.

By season’s end, they ranked last in rushing TDs (four), 30th in attempts (348) and tied for 27th in yards per game (86.4), all while leading the NFL in passes thrown. Unless your quarterback is named Brady, Brees or Manning, that’s not a winning formula.

Pettine, the new coach and resident philosopher on AFC North toughness, recognized a need for a change. So did new General Manager Ray Farmer. To their credit, they have addressed it in a variety of ways before the draft. Beyond signing free-agent halfback Ben Tate, they have added run-conscious offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, acquired fullback Chris Pressley and retrained All-Pro center Alex Mack at a hefty price.

It’s premature to say whether these moves will improve the running game – I was among the chorus lauding the trade for receiver Davone Bess last spring – but the intent is unmistakable. Even in a pass-obsessed league, most good teams require some balance.

The roster includes Tate, Edwin Baker, Chris Ogbonnaya and Dion Lewis at running back. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them draft another one in the late rounds. The National Football Post reported Friday the Browns were among teams showing interest in Boston College's Andre Williams.

“It’s hard to be that three-down back anymore in the NFL,” Pettine said at the combine. “Most of the successful teams have a committee approach. You need to have depth there given the pounding that position will take. We’re going to make a commitment to run the football and obviously that position is a priority.”

The biggest “priority” remains getting it right at quarterback. The Browns face a massive decision in the first round with no obvious answers at No. 4 or No. 26. Do you take Johnny Manziel with that first pick? Is Brian Hoyer good enough – healthy enough – to lead the offense next season?

Regardless of the choice, the quarterback should benefit from an upgraded running game. Shanahan and his father, Mike, have a history of producing good running backs, making a Pro Bowler out of 2012 sixth-round pick Alfred Morris in Washington. The Redskins ranked among the top five in rushing the past two seasons with some help from QB Robert Griffin III.

If he can stay healthy, Tate seems like an ideal one-cut back for Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. After years of playing behind Arian Foster, he’s motivated for a breakout season. Having a veteran lead blocker should help Tate achieve it.

A year ago, the Browns were one of several teams that did not employ a traditional fullback, opting to use the 225-pound Ogbonnaya. Things got so desperate late in the season they resorted to defensive lineman Billy Winn.

The presence of the 5-foot-11, 260-pound Pressley contributed to Cincinnati Bengals’ halfback BenJarvus Green-Ellis leading the league in third-and-1 conversions (14-of-15) in 2012. During that same season, third-and-shorts were a source of constant frustration for the Browns and Trent Richardson.

Obviously, the running game was a disaster a year ago after jettisoning Richardson. Its struggles played a part in the Browns leading the NFL in fourth-down attempts (31) and conversions (14). Exciting as the gamble is to watch, that’s no way to run an offense.

The Browns won't win consistently until they solve the 15-year-old QB riddle. But a viable running threat will relieve pressure from the passer, something no Browns quarterback has enjoyed since the makers of Madden '12 put Peyton Hillis on its cover.

It bears repeating the best teams last season, Seattle and San Francisco, boasted two of the most robust rushing attacks. We won’t know how effective the Browns' ground game is until September, but there’s a good chance they won’t need to borrow Monty Python’s catapult.

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