Written by Dave Kolonich

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The following is Part Two of a near endless series of 2010 Browns’ position previews.

Check out Part One – Quarterbacks here.

Despite the likelihood of the following phrase becoming completely cliche, I have to say this about the Browns’ current collection of running backs:  What a difference a year makes.

This time last year the Browns were a month away from training camp, clinging to the fleeting vision of Jamal Lewis surviving another NFL season, flanked by only the untested James Davis and unreliable Jerome Harrison.  Of course, at this time last year some of us were still convinced that the Browns could produce an effective passing attack.

Little did we know.  

However, entering the 2010 season, the Browns suddenly find themselves the proud owners of some true depth at running back.  For a team suffering from a near two-decade historical ineptness in the run game, combined with layers of uncertainity at both quarterback and wide receiver, the timing couldn’t be any better.  The Browns’ rushing attack was among the league’s most dynamic at the close of last season and every indication suggests that this progress should continue into 2010.

It’s either that or we have to pass the ball.

Jerome Harrison

If you slept through the month of December and didn’t know that Jerome Harrison had exploded for some 600 rushing yards, you would probably still consider the mercurial fifth-year back as a tease of epic proportions.  More destined to join the exclusive Ghost of Browns Running Back Potential Past club than be viewed as a potential Pro Bowler, Harrison finally showed his true potential by essentially dominating the team’s last three games. 

Showcasing some quick, decisive cutting, surprising power and breakaway speed, Harrison lit up the Chiefs; then followed up with some workmanlike performances in wins over the Raiders and Jaguars.  Or in other words – it’s a safe bet to suggest that Harrison helped to save the Browns’ season as well as Eric Mangini’s job last December.

However, despite his near transcendent performance, the usual questions regarding Harrison’s eventual role with the team still remain.  No one inside or outside of Berea truly knows just how durable Harrison will prove to be.  After all, Harrison crammed a half season’s worth of carries into approximately five games and questions still remain regarding his pass protection skills. 

Further evidence of organizational doubt regarding Harrison could be found in the team’s selection of Monterio Hardesty, along with the general idea that running backs have become an endangered species in today’s NFL.

Of course, Harrison is nowhere close to being overexposed or broken down, considering that late 2009 served as his first real NFL experience.

Monterio Hardesty

Speaking of experience, if you’ve read any of the glowing OTA reports devoted to Hardesty, you would think that the Browns just drafted a three-year veteran instead of a raw rookie.

Despite being limited by injury during his college career, Hardesty brings impressive size and a great blend of speed and power to the position.  Known as more of a “downhill” runner, the prospects of the Browns adding a dynamic young runner to complement Harrison are more than intriguing.

According to various reports, Hardesty is slowly being penciled in as more than a complement – perhaps due to Harrison’s OTA absences, which are directly linked to his unfortunate status as a restricted free agent.  Whatever the case, it appears the Browns have added a fresh set of legs to an offense that will no doubt heavily emphasize the run. 

Peyton Hillis

The “throw-in” to the Brady Quinn trade brings the kind of size and versatility that Mangini craves in his players.  Hillis’ frame rivals that of fullback Lawrence Vickers, yet his game seems fairly similar to Hardesty’s.  Hillis has some good speed for his size and could prove to be an effective situational player, particularly in goalline settings. 

The question regarding Hillis is how the Browns will exactly use him. 

Already stocked at running back with Harrison and Hardesty, Hillis’ natural position would seem to be at fullback, where future All-Pro Lawrence Vickers currently resides.  In another football universe, or in a past Browns’ context, Hillis would make an exceptional H-back.  However, given the current offensive scheme and the bounty of current tight ends found on the roster, finding snaps for Hillis could prove difficult for the coaching staff.

But again, Hillis’ Cleveland fortunes could rest with Mangini – as his versatility could instantly make him one of the coach’s favorite players.

James Davis

Much like Brett Ratliff at QB, Davis enters the 2010 season as a forgotten man at running back.  Although it’s easy to forget – especially considering Harrison’s late season explosion – Davis was closing in on getting a serious look early in 2009 before a post-practice shoulder injury shut him down for the season.

In comparing Davis to all three preceding running backs, there are some significant differences found in the second-year back’s style.  Davis is not lightning fast, but is fairly decisive and generates some good pop from his lower body.  Davis’ overall style could be compared to the classic Emmitt Smith mold, as Davis uses his small frame to get within blockers. 

However, NFL rosters being what they are, Davis will struggle to make it to September.  Considering that Harrison and Hardesty are the top two rushing options, with Hillis serving in a more unique role, Davis’ fate could come down to a simple numbers game.  Assuming the Browns keep an extra quarterback or possibly a tenth linebacker, Davis could find himself the cruel victim of overall team progress.

Chris Jennings

One of the surprises of last season was Jennings, who was among Mangini’s scrap heap pickups who proved to be a quality player.  Coming from the CFL, Jennings showed some decent speed and a nice bit of power in limited duty.  The highlight of Jennings’ season came during the win against Pittsburgh, where he carried the ball twenty times.  Of course, like the rest of the offense in general, Jennings was lost during Harrison’s late season explosion.

Like Davis, Jennings has a steep climb in order to make the final roster, as he is basically looking up at four running backs ahead of him.  Throw in an offseason, off the field altercation and the odds of Jennings remaining in Cleveland long-term are slim. 

Thomas Brown

Again, speaking to the overall evolution of the team’s depth, Brown should serve as nothing more than another camp body.

Lawrence Vickers

Vickers - or as I like to refer to him as – one of my favorite Browns of all time, clearly established himself as both the best blocking fullback in the league as well as the guardian of a lost NFL position. 

Although Harrison deserves a ton of credit for his own success – along with an improving offensive line – Vickers’ devastating lead blocking helped clear the way for the Browns’ late season rushing renaissance.  Using both his great size and quick first step, along with employing a nasty, punishing old-school physical toughness, Vickers proved his worth to the overall offense in 2009.

Hopefully continuing this progress in 2010, Vickers now has another young running back to clear holes for.

Ideally

Any mention of the ideal has to include the vision of the Browns’ offense continuing to be a physically dominant rushing attack.  For lack of a better reason, the Browns simply don’t have many offensive weapons found within the passing game.  Despite the overall league-wide shift to virtual flag football, the Browns’ hopes for 2010 improvement lies within the ground attack.

Talk about playing to your strengths.

Ideally, Harrison continues to progress in his fundamentals and proves to be the durable back none of us are sure he can become.  Running behind a rapidily improving offensive line – along with Vickers – Harrison easily clears a 1,000 yards.  Balancing the attack is the rookie Hardesty, who validates the offseason buzz surrounding his arrival in Berea.  Hillis offers a unique weapon, playing a sort of hybrid role, while Davis claws at another chance to get on the field. 

Ultimately, Harrison and Hardesty prove to be the impetus for improvements in the overall offense, as the passing game is allowed to progress at its own speed.

But Really

There’s not a huge downside to be found here.  Discounting injury, the Browns’ rushing attack should remain solid.  However, projections being what they are, I could envision another scenario where Harrison is benched immediately after giving up a sack, while Hardesty’s recent injury history comes back to haunt him.  In a doomsday scenario, these two events unfold as Hillis struggles to find an actual position, which causes the previous depth of Davis and Jennings to be quickly extinguished.

Of course, all this occurs within the framework of every single Browns’ opponent playing nothing but eight-man fronts against the still struggling passing game.

The Pick

In terms of overall franchise improvement, the 2010 collection of running backs represents one of the more exciting developments in recent team history. 

As I’ve stated before, the mere idea that James Davis – a promising young runner – could be the casualty of a roster numbers game marks a significant note of team progress.  If we were entering one of the early expansion years, or even one of the pre-Jamal Lewis seasons, Davis would be considered as a starting option.  However, now – with the emergence of Harrison and arrival of Hardesty, he has become nothing more than an afterthought.

This my friends…is what I call progress.

Not only do the Browns appear to have two primary rushing options in 2010, the arrival of Hillis means that the team can finally show some diverse backfield looks.  Along with the league’s best blocking fullback in Vickers and a young offensive line that is trending towards becoming one of the best around, the Browns’ running game should fully blossom in 2010. 

And I sincerely hope it does.

Because otherwise, we’re going to have throw the ball.