Berea, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Carlos Hyde calls him “Beast,” Duke Johnson “Old School.”
The Cleveland Browns expect him to be a playmaker.
Rookie running back Nick Chubb is opening eyes and at the same time earning the respect of his new teammates, especially his fellow backs who are competing with him for touches this season.
"He's old school,” Johnson said Friday. “The way he carries himself, the way he dresses in practice, it drives me crazy.
"His helmet, his face mask, he doesn't really wear gloves all the time. He's in the wrong generation."
Chubb smiled when asked about Johnson’s comment.
"I am who I am," Chubb said. "I really don't wear chains or anything flashy. I put my pads on and my gear and whatever I need and just go to work."
The Browns selected Chubb in the second round – 35th overall – in the draft this past April out of Georgia where he racked up 4,769 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and ran for 44 touchdowns.
"Nick is a beast," Hyde said. "Definitely brings a lot to the game that will get us some wins this season. Just, overall, a good player."
It’s not often you see a rookie earn high praise from seasoned vets, especially ones he’s trying to take work away from, but Chubb’s done just that.
“I don’t really feel like he’s a rookie,” Hyde said. “Usually, rookies come in and be all kind of lost, just trying to feel their way out. I think Nick understands what’s going on. He understands what being a pro is. “
Pick your poison – The Browns hope they’ve built a 3-headed monster in the backfield with Hyde, Chubb and Johnson.
“We definitely could be something special,” Johnson said. “We have to find our roles. Each one of us has to find a role and not be upset about it, not get bothered by it but embrace it. And the sooner we embrace it and the sooner we understand what our role is for this team, the better we'll be."
Hue Jackson has talked at length about running the ball but maybe the third year will be the charm when they actually do it.
“We have to have a mindset that we can do that, but at the same time, we have to do what it takes to win games,” Jackson said. “You guys know sometimes that means we might run it a ton, and sometimes we might have to throw it a ton. Whatever it takes, but we have to become a physical group, and be able to run the ball when we need to run it.”
Johnson has worked with receivers in drills during the first 2 practices, a sign that he might pull double duty like he did a year ago leaving the bulk of the ground work to Chubb and Hyde.
“You don't always need to hand the ball off and put it in someone's stomach to see what kind of runner they are,” Johnson said.
What is clear is that before pads have even been put on – that happens Saturday – egos have already been checked at the door among the 3 backs.
“You pick your poison,” Chubb said. “We have talented running backs so it’ll be hard to stop for a defense. It’s hard for them to plan and scheme. I come from a crowded backfield too so it’s nothing new to me.”
Need for speed – Jarvis Landry has shown off his Velcro hands daily since joining the Browns but on Friday he flashed his speed.
During a receiver-defensive back drill, Landry put a double move on T.J. Carrie faking an outside burst before turning inside and catching Tyrod Taylor’s throw at the 25 and cruising into the end zone for a 60-yard score.
Once Landry turned on the afterburners, Carrie was left in the dust. After the play Landry wrapped his hand around Carrie as if to console him and the 2 appeared to have a good laugh about it.
Nothing like it – Hyde marveled at the fan turnout for training camp the first 2 days.
“Oh man, that was awesome,” Hyde said. “The first time since I’ve been in the league that I’ve seen a lot of fans at a practice. Just shows how loyal the Dawg Pound is.”
Hyde was asked to compare the turnout to what he experienced in San Francisco.
“We had a little bit last year. That was like the first time I’d see it, but not as good as here,” Hyde said.
Puppy pound counter – 13 puppies from the Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) were adopted Friday and a total of 24 the first 2 days of camp. Since the program’s launch in 2015, 247 puppies have been adopted.
Peppers' prognosis – Jackson is hopeful safety jabrill Peppers will return sometime next week but his optimism came with a caveat.
“Hopefully soon, sooner than later. Hopefully in the next week, I hope he is back out there, but do not hold me to that," Jackson said. "There could be setbacks. It could be a lot of things. He is getting closer, I do know that.”
Injury report – Did not practice: WR Damion Ratley (hip), TE Devon Cajuste (concussion), DL Daniel Ekuale (calf), OL Desmond Harrison (toe-PUP), DL Chad Thomas (hernia-PUP) DB Jabrill Peppers (groin-NFI), and DL Trenton Thompson (illness-NFI).
DL Caleb Brantley left practice for a second straight day due to cramps and OL Greg Robinson is being evaluated for concussion.
Up next – First practice in full pads Saturday from 2:35-5:30 p.m.
