The Cleveland Browns are not starting their season like they had hoped. Things started off with quarterback drama. It was followed by the suspension of Josh Gordon. Now, they are down two more offensive performers, something the team can simply not afford. Ben Tate is expected to miss the next few weeks with a knee injury while Jordan Cameron is nursing a shoulder issue. Now, head coach Mike Pettine is putting his faith in two rookies to step up and carry the team.
Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell were both expected to see little playing time this season after the Browns signed Tate off the free agent market and now both will carry the load for the new few weeks. As the Browns prepare to face the New Orleans Saints, West will likely start as Crowell works in tandem with him. There is some encouragement that the two rookies can handle the responsibility after they combined for 132 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers.
"It was encouraging," Pettine said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "But they need to be able to take the next step, and this is another challenge for them, to go against this type of (Saints) defense and it's nothing that either one of those guys have seen before. It will be a good test for them."
For Crowell, the chance to play a significant role on Sunday is the cherry on top of a long journey. The highly recruited running back played for Georgia, won SEC Freshman of the Year and then was dismissed after a weapons-related arrest. He then transferred to Alabama State and put his best foot forward during that time. Most assumed he was destined for the practice squad with the Browns, but Pettine notes that Cleveland is confident in his talents.
"When he first got here, if you have said, 'Hey, he's going to line up against Pittsburgh and score two touchdowns,' I would have bet you mortgage payments that wasn't going to happen," said Pettine. "A lot can happen with these guys when you get them reps and get them over time."
The Browns are hoping that Cameron is good to go. Structurally, the tight end's shoulder is fine, it is more of a pain situation. Cleveland has marked Cameron day-to-day, but remain hopeful that he can play on Sunday. If not, pressure will fall on players like Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin to step up.
