Fantasy owners now have a little clarity regarding the Browns' running back situation. Isaiah Crowell looks like he will be the leading man in Cleveland's backfield come Week 1, according to reports.
#browns Pettine said isaiah Crowell has the edge to start vs #Jets over Terrance west
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 4, 2015
The battle right now is between Crowell and Terrance West, while rookie Duke Johnson lurks in the background. Johnson was a popular sleeper for much of the preseason, but he missed a lot of practice time with a leg injury, and then suffered a concussion in his preseason debut.
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In 2014 West was Cleveland's top rusher, chewing up 673 yards and scoring four touchdowns. He also spent time in the coaches' doghouse last season, by his own admission, and didn't draw rave reviews throughout this preseason. He and Crowell received plenty of opportunities, yet had to fend off rumors about Ray Rice being signed.
Crowell was the more exciting back in 2014, and graded better using the eye test. He had more explosive runs, picked up 607 yards, and doubled up West in touchdowns with eight. He was the frontrunner to take the job in the preseason, and clearly remains in that role. Still, the Browns' staff said early on in the preseason that none of the Cleveland rushers seemed to want the starting job.
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"The guys that were here last year, you look for somebody to take that next step,'' running backs coach Will Montgomery said. "Is it going to happen? I don't know, and that's why I let them know every day, the competition is still the same. It hasn't changed. Nobody wants the role.''
For now, bank on Crowell to get the first shot, with West mixing in. If one puts together some good runs, coach Mike Pettine will likely ride the hot hand. Both players will lose value when Johnson is back in action, because he will see work on passing downs, and is probably the biggest home run threat in the bunch.
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