BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns are off to their best start on the ground since 1958, so it’s of little surprise they lead the league in rushing through three weeks.
They’d like to be sitting atop the list after Week 17, and maybe a rushing title for Nick Chubb too.
“That’s individual goals for us,” running back Kareem Hunt said Monday. “Nick shoulda lead the league already, I believe. I mean, what was it, two years ago I feel like he had it but there was a 200-yard game from Derrick Henry so, I mean, Nick, he deserves it. He brings it every time he touches the field and I like having a guy like that.”
Chubb leads the league with 341 yards rushing. He’s also scored four touchdowns already.
“It’s a great feeling that if we’re all on the same page and do our jobs we can be unstoppable,” Hunt said.
Chubb and Hunt are hard enough to tackle when they’re churning out yards on the ground., They’ve become even more dangerous leaving their feet with jump cuts and going over defenders.
Hunt doesn’t think twice about doing it either.
“I guess I decide [to do] that in probably about half a second,” Hunt said. “That’s what I do. I don’t know. I don’t think twice. I’m not scared to do it.”
On the ground Hunt is averaging 4.2 yards per carry as the No. 2 back behind Chubb totaling 151 yards on 36 carries including a 24-yard touchdown run in Week 1.
Hunt is currently the No 3 leading receiver for the Browns with nine catches for 54 yards and a score, which also came in Week 1.
Stepping up – The loss of Anthony Walker for the season to a torn quadriceps tendon is a big blow to the Browns defense but Jacob Phillips is more than capable of stepping in for the defensive captain.
“Very tough,” Phillips said Monday of losing Walker. “Obviously, in our room, really on the team, we hold him in a high regard and he's a great teammate. Obviously when you lose good players on the team, you wish it wouldn't' happen, but play football long enough, injuries are going to happen, and he'll get through this prayerfully and we're just going to keep going.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski was complimentary of Phillips, who was edged out for the starting job in training camp and the preseason by Walker, following Monday’s practice.
“Jacob is a very competitive young man,” Stefanski said. “Played well in the last ball game. We are going to need him to continue to ascend, get better and those type of things. He is definitely somebody who is excited about the opportunity.”
In Thursday night’s win over the Steelers, Phillips showed off his versatility by registering seven tackles, a sack and breaking up a pass in coverage.
“I think it’s just a testament to athletically what I can do,” Phillips said. “And just like when you get that confidence, you play loose, play fast and you’re able to just put it on tape.”
Phillips will assume Walker’s responsibility of wearing the ‘green dot’ which means he’ll relay the calls from joe Woods to the rest of the defense.
“Every time you've seen me in the game since my rookie year, I've had the green dot, so it's nothing new,” Phillips said. “I had the green dot last game, every game and I've gained different things, how to, I guess, best do it efficiently. It's just a part of it, another task that you add on, but I like it.”
Third down success – The Browns have turned around their fortunes on third downs – o both sides of the ball.
Offensively, they are converting 47.8% of the time while holding opponents to a 37.1% conversion rate defensively.
“The guys are doing a nice job,” Stefanski said. “You have to be careful on all statistics and a small sample size this early in the season.
“Offensively, it helps to be in shorter distances. I think that really has been a thing to look at, especially in this last game. Then it just comes down to I think the guys are operating really well. I don’t want to jinx it, but I don’t think we had any operational penalties on offense in that game. I think that is important and is even more important when you go on the road like we are this week. Then defensively, in those situations on third down, understanding where they are trying to go with the ball and having a counter to that. The guys have a good understanding right now on what we are trying to get done.”
Phillips credits continuity on the defensive side of the ball for their success.
“[Woods] is not teaching us new things, it’s stuff we’ve already ran,” Phillips said. “So when you’ve got that part and then you’ve got just the chemistry of the defense, that’s what third down is, a big trust factor, playing high-low, passing stuff off, so I think when you’ve got all those components working together and obviously the pass rushers that we have, you’re going to be successful.”
Through three gams the Browns have had eight scoring drives of 10 or more plays with four resulting in touchdowns and the other four field goals.
“It’s very fun ‘cause that helps us get more swings at the plate,” Hunt said. “It helps us put point on the board and keep the defense fresh and stuff like that. Time of taking care of the ball, time of possession.”
Same guy – Right tackle Jack Conklin came through Thursday’s game just fine according to Stefanski.
“It looked like the old Jack to me,” Stefanski said. “He was playing very physical. He has looked good in practice. I mentioned to you guys, he is stronger than I think he has ever been. He worked so hard this whole offseason. Good to see him out there.”
Back at it – Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and safety Ronnie Harrison were on the field Monday after suffering injuries Thursday night.
Harrison was unable to play after suffering a hamstring injury during warmups while Wills departed with a knee injury before returning.
Injury report – DNP: LG Joel Bitonio (biceps), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (groin), DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), DT Taven Bryan (hamstring)
Bitonio and Owusu Koramoah rode the bikes and worked on the side while Clowney and Bryan were not on the field during the portion open to reporters.
“No update. I think we will know more as the week goes on,” Stefanski said.
“I have to get to Wednesday to see where everybody is.”
Up next – Players off Tuesday; practice Wednesday.