Chubb ready to lead Browns backfield
It would have been fair to raise an eyebrow in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft when the Cleveland Browns selected Georgia running back Nick Chubb 35th overall.
The Browns had already signed Carlos Hyde in free agency with a view to being their workhorse, with Duke Johnson – one of the premier receiving backs in the league – also in their backfield.
Even in a NFL of committee backfields, and accounting for his incredible talent, Chubb appeared something of a luxury pick for the Browns, and his lack of playing time in the opening three weeks of the season suggested he was not viewed as an immediate contributor for a team in dire need of a speedy turnaround.
Chubb received only three carries in the Week 4 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders, however, he took two of them for touchdowns in an incredible 105-yard performance that proved he is ready to be Cleveland’s lead back.
1. 63-yard run
Chubb’s collegiate career was one defined by a gruesome injury and his subsequent superb recovery, and the former Georgia Bulldog eschewed any lingering concerns over his explosiveness and proved his speed to those unaware of it on a blistering run for his first career touchdown.
Chubb hit the hole with nice burst, but what was most impressive was his contact balance, which enabled him to maintain his footing after breaking the tackle of Tahir Whitehead, and the extra gear he was able to find thereafter, racing away from the pursuing Arden Key and Gareon Conley to find the endzone.
2. 41-yard run
Chubb saved his best work for his second score, though, showcasing skills starter Hyde does not possess. After avoiding Marquel Lee in the backfield, the rookie does an excellent job of spotting a running lane, gearing down and then getting vertical to explode upfield. He turns what would have already been an impressive run into a touchdown by skipping over the attempted ankle tap of Jonathan Hankins and putting a beautiful hesitation move on safety Erik Harris, a hard fake to the inside springing Chubb free for the touchdown.
Given the injury histories of both Hyde and Chubb, it makes sense for Cleveland to go with a three-man backfield. However, Chubb’s performance last weekend made it clear he should be the man to head it. Hyde, to his credit, has performed well so far this season and certainly has the build and the power running style to be the workhorse. He also possesses more elusiveness than he is given credit for and is effective in the red zone, but the stop-start ability Chubb demonstrated on his second touchdown run is something he lacks, as is the long speed evident on both scores.
Hyde is a more than capable starter who consistently produced for the San Francisco 49ers before joining Cleveland. However, he is far from the game-breaker Chubb is. Hue Jackson and his staff saw the best of what Chubb can do last week, and it almost won them the game. That should be enough to convince them to give the luxury pick the lion’s share of the carries going forward.