Browns Bet on Judkins to Revive Run Game and Rescue Season
The Cleveland Browns are 0-2, and are currently one of the league’s worst offenses, averaging just 16.5 points per game. While that’s not surprising, it is disheartening for Browns fans. The most disappointing thing about the lack of offense in Cleveland is that fans were promised a good rushing attack. All offseason, the Browns talked about returning to a run-heavy offense and building things off a strong run game, but the team is only averaging 82 rushing yards a game.
Without a good run game, Cleveland doesn’t really have the personnel to do much offensively. However, there’s reason to believe the rushing attack will soon show up for the Browns. Reporter Daniel Oyefusi highlighted that reason
ESPN believes Quinshon Judkins will help Browns running game dramatically improve
Oyefusi acknowledged how Cleveland only has one run of 10-plus yards on the season, but argued that trend won’t continue now that Judkins is back in the mix. The lone run over 10 yards came from Judkins in his debut, so he should only build off that moment.
The run game was a point of emphasis for coach Kevin Stefanski and Cleveland's offense this offseason, but the Browns are averaging 3.6 yards per carry and generating few explosive plays. The run blocking hasn't been optimal, but the team's run block win rate ranks 19th. The debut of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was also a promising sign. Judkins produced the team's lone explosive run in Sunday's loss to the Ravens and registered a team-high 61 rushing yards, 36 of which came after first contact. The Browns' run game should pick up as Judkins gets more comfortable.Daniel Oyefusi (ESPN)
Cleveland is certainly hoping this is the case, because getting the run game going is the only way this offense will turn things around. Running the ball well will help the Browns consistently move the ball, stay ahead of the sticks, and score when in the red zone, but it will also open up the passing attack as defenses commit to stop the run.
Those things happening will lead to Cleveland having a competent offense. With a defense that has already proven it can compete with anyone, a solid offense would really give the Browns the chance to win games. So hopefully, Judkins will help get the run game rolling sooner than later.
Pete Carroll Sends Strong Message on QB Geno Smith After 3-Interception Game
The Chargers defense flummoxed Geno Smith all night Monday.
Geno Smith’s gunslinging was on full display Monday night, which prompted his longtime head coach Pete Carroll to speak out about his quarterback’s inability to protect the ball.
Carroll criticized Smith’s ball-protection skills after the Las Vegas Raiders QB did not lead a touchdown drive and threw three interceptions in their 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.
Smith was 24 for 43 (55.8 percent) for 180 yards, no touchdowns and the three picks in the Raiders’ home opener. He now leads the NFL in interceptions (4) and is tied for 22nd in completion percentage (62.3) through two weeks.
What Did Pete Carroll Say About Geno Smith’s Three-Interception Game?
Carroll has been steadfast in his love and loyalty toward Smith. But even he couldn’t defend the way his QB played.
According to Pro-Football Reference, Smith made nine bad throws on his 43 attempts Monday, a stat made worse by the fact he was only pressured just six times — fewer than the eight pressures the New England Patriots registered against him in the Raiders’ surprising Week 1 win.
“We always talk that way of taking what the defense gives you,” Carroll said Wednesday about Smith’s attempt to fit the ball into tight windows. “It’s when things get off rhythm sometimes, that’s when the quarterback needs to decide and always protect the football first.
“We need to do a better job in that, and Geno knows that and I know that. We didn’t get that done.”
It was Smith’s fifth-career three-INT game but just his second in the past 10 years — he also threw three picks against the Los Angeles Rams last year. Smith also said the film was “tough to watch” but saw ways he could improve from his mistakes
“[There were] a lot of things I wish I would have done better personally,” Smith said. “You can never just flush that, you’ve got to learn from it. I watched it over 10 times and just tried to figure out things I need to be better, which was a lot of things that were obvious: Being more accurate, taking what the defense gave me, not being so aggressive.”
What Did Geno Smith Say About Being Aggressive?
That Smith made that many bad throws Monday night was newsworthy, since his 12.4 percent career bad-throw shows he has been one of the best at limiting unforced errors over his career. He’s done that by taking an honest appraisal of his efforts.
“Being hard on yourself and understanding that’s not the standard, and it’s never going to be the standard,” Smith said of how he’s been great at not letting bad games snowball. “Really having to be honest with myself and not letting that carry over.”
So after making just three bad throws, and capitalizing on chunk play after chunk play in the Raiders’ 20-13 win in New England, Smith may have been feeling himself a bit too much. The Chargers brought him back to earth.
“I think we might’ve overdid it a little bit. We had a lot of explosives in Week 1, and obviously we wanted to carry that over,” Smith said. “Being efficient is the No. 1 thing, and I thought the efficiency wasn’t there, and that would have led to more explosives if we were more efficient.
“Take what they give me. It’s that simple.”
The Raiders will be on the road against the Washington Commanders, who just allowed 404 yards to the Green Bay Packers in their Week 2 loss at Lambeau Field.
But despite the shorter week after the late kickoff Monday, Smith said he is chomping at the bit to get on the field against Washington.
“I think the shorter week actually helps you,” Smith said. “The faster we can get to the game, the faster we can get that bad taste out your mouth.”
