The Cleveland Browns have been benefitting from talented depth at the running back position. The team originally brought on Ben Tate to be the premier starter for the team, but after he suffered a knee injury, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West have emerged as true talents. Now with all three running backs healthy, head coach Mike Pettine would prefer for one running back to emerge as the leader of the unit.
Pettine is not interested in a running back by committee system in Cleveland. While Tate, West and Crowell are all viable options as starters, he would prefer for one to take hold of the spot instead of rotating in and out. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan understands the Browns need to be grateful for the talent at the running back position, but for consistency purposes, he would prefer one player be the true starter.
"If they want to be out there more, they need to separate themselves and show that they're obviously better than the other guy and we'll keep them out there more," Shanahan said, via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. I don't ever worry about running backs getting into a rhythm. They're not quarterbacks. When you hand them the ball they better run hard and do as good as they can."
All three running backs have made comments about preferring to get more carries in the offense. Combined, they rank sixth in the league with 133.5 rushing yards per game. In terms of Carries, Tate leads the group with 69 and 279 yards. West comes in second with 59 carries for 243 yards while Crowell has 51 carries with 255 yards. Individually, they both offer a lot to an offense and any one of them has the talent to be the unit's leader. Shanahan can only rotate the running backs so much which is why the team needs someone to emerge as a real starter.
"Yeah, I'm coming from college getting about 25 carries a game and just being the guy and putting the team on my shoulders," West said. "Then coming here and just getting limited reps, it's hard, but I can transition to anything, overcome anything."
Tate is used to having to split the carries. He came from the Texans where he rotated with Arian Foster. However, Tate was under the impression that the starting running back spot was his and instead he is left still rotating in and out.
"I had to do that for four years," Tate said. "You just have to be ready at all times. You just have to watch and pay close attention to what's going on and ask. When I was doing that, I would ask Arian [Foster] how the 'backers are flowing. You have to be very in-tune with the game and understand what's going on so when you're out there you don't miss a beat. I understand what they're saying. Trust me. I've been there. If anybody knows, I know."
Tate will likely continue to get the majority of the carries doing forward. His leadership and veteran experience have pushed him towards that role. However, if West or Crowell really take advantage of what they given, Tate will be rotating more than he would like.
