Originally Published: December 19, 2007

Browns better off simplifying Thomas' role

The Browns have had a lot of success running behind rookie LT Joe Thomas, but they're not doing it nearly enough, writes KC Joyner.

Share
Joyner By KC Joyner
ESPN Insider
Archive
The football world is aware of just how the good the Cleveland Browns' passing game is, but the team's running attack has been bowling over opponents of late as well. In its last five outings, Cleveland has gained 675 rushing yards, or an average of 135 yards per game. To put that total into perspective, only three teams (Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville) have averaged more than 135 rushing yards per game this year.

It is generally assumed that the Browns' running renaissance has been the result of the superior blocking of Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach. I wanted to see if this was really the case, so I did a metric analysis of the Browns' run-blocking over the past five weeks.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider