The Cleveland Browns have been waiting for a playmaker to emerge. The team needed someone that was going to help carry the offensive scoring load. Through four games, Travis Benjamin has stepped up to the task while Week 4 saw a star-in-the-making with Duke Johnson having a breakout game. With consistency still an issue, can Johnson maintain the success as Robert Turbin gets added into the mix?
Johnson was the star in the game against the San Diego Chargers. He outshined former first-round draft pick Melvin Gordon with eight rushes for 31 yards and nine catches for 85 yards including a 34-yard touchdown. This is the type of game the Browns have been waiting for from Johnson. The former Miami star faced some criticism at the start of the season as head coach Mike Pettine made it clear that he needed to do more to help the team and now that is finally happening as Isaiah Crowell dipped into the shadows.
"Anytime you have a back that can be a first or second down back between the tackles, and a guy that you can also split out your number one wide out and hit him on a vertical route, that puts a lot of stress on a defense,'' said Pettine, via Cleveland.com. "He certainly will be a big part of our plans moving forward. That's a pretty good glimpse of how we'll be using him."
Johnson's versatility is what will make him a star for the Browns so long as the team continues to utilize it. According to NFL.com, Johnson is a top waiver wire option heading into Week 5 as he proves to be the next Darren Sproles of the league. Johnson's abilities eased the pressure on Josh McCown who has been struggling to connect downfield to receivers. Crowell certainly got his yards on the ground, setting the team up with good field position, but it is Johnson's dynamic abilities that give him the edge.
"The catch Duke made on the first touchdown was one of the best catches I've seen by a running back,'' said McCown. "To track a deep ball like that and to catch it over his shoulder, that's not something that they get a ton of time practicing. For him to do that it was just very, very impressive and really encouraging."
The Browns will be getting Robert Turbin back on the field who is more likely to challenge Crowell for time instead of Johnson. According to the team website, the former Seattle Seahawks rusher is back at practice and could become another top rusher for the Browns once he gets more playing time.
The three-headed rushing attack will help make up for the lack of production from players like Dwayne Bowe who failed to do much in Week 4. Benjamin along with Andrew Hawkins stole the show for the wide receivers. While the Browns deny they plan on releasing Bowe this year, do not expect him to make an impact on the field.
