Browns' Isaiah Crowell: In line for featured role

Head coach Hue Jackson suggested Crowell may be used as a workhorse running back, the Chronicle-Telegram reports. "We have not kind of turned our guy loose yet, but he has some special ability that way," Jackson explained. "We've just got to hand it to him enough times," he later added.

Analysis:

While it's encouraging for his head coach to endorse Crowell as the type of player who could carry the Browns' rushing attack, Cleveland only managed to run 52 offensive plays Week 1 (compared to 77 for Philadelphia) and converted just two of 10 third downs. Furthermore, Crowell was also used as a feature back last year under ex-OC John DeFilippo, but the team never managed to establish the running game and Crowell ended the season with 706 yards and four touchdowns on an underwhelming 3.8 YPC. Ultimately, unless newly designated starting QB Josh McCown can display the competence to keep the offense on the field and effectively move the football, Jackson may not even get the chance to feed Crowell as many times as he wants. To boot, Duke Johnson remains in the mix as the established passing-down back and figures to see plenty of playing time on a team expected to be frequently positioned in negative game scripts.